Dia 2 - La Republica Dominicana

Today brought us back to the school in Palmar Arriba.  It was great to be in the classrooms again and we were able to see progress from our in-service with the teachers yesterday.  We started our day in a 3rd grade classroom where the teacher taught a lesson very similar to the lesson Casey modeled yesterday.  She read "If You Give a Pig a Pancake" in Spanish and then talked to them about how the stories ends just as it started (with the pig wanting a pancake).

The children are hungry for attention and love.  We had many students who chose to stay inside at recess and requested that we play Uno, read books to them, or draw with them on dry-erase boards.   Edwin and Estefania were two of the kids whom we were able to love on.

We also had the chance to roam around the school and watch a variety of learning activities, including the song book the children were reading below.

Later, we had a chance to tour the inside of the group home and meet some of the residents there.  It is a blessing that they are able to have a safe home where they are cared for, both physically and spiritually.  Below is Dawn with Ramona, one of the residents of the Good Shepherd group home.

 

We got many hugs and high fives when we left the school today and were reminded that children are basically the same, no matter what country they are from.  We worked with those who like to talk, those who are quiet, those who can't keep their hands to themselves, and those who love to learn.  No matter where you go, kids' favorite subject is recess!