Etre et Avoir

After watching "Etre et Avoir" please write comments for this entry that talk about the things I mentioned in my earlier email.

Laptop Donation Deadline Extended

Today's Wall Street Journal is reporting that the One Laptop Per Child "Give One Get One" program has been extended until December 31 so there's still time to go to www.laptopgiving.org and gets yours to take to India to donate to the Ashram!

"Etre et Avoir"

I took a lot away from our film showing last week. I know that our teaching situation and atmosphere will be quite different than a French one room school house with students of mixed ages but what Lopez did with his students is still applicable to our teaching experience. I was impressed by his role as mediator, instructor and mentor. Seeing all of the different aspects of his job as a teacher, made me thankful for the fact that there will be a few of us teaching each class. I was also impressed by the respect Lopez demanded in the classroom and the response of his students. One thing that really struck me was how he could keep all of the students engaged or at least occupied in the classroom at one time. One way in which he did this was having the older students tutor the younger students. I know we won't have a dramatic age difference among students in our classes but there may be some range of ability and it is important to remember that instructing others is one of the best ways to become really secure with material. The other great point that the film made was that there is a time for work and play. When Jojo didn't complete his drawing he wasn't allowed outside for recess. Lopez was brilliant at including other activities that benefitted the students besides studying such as cooking. And the sledding trip was also a great opportunity for physical activity.

Does anyone need a room?

Hello all, I hope everyone had a nice break. If anyone needs, I will be able to host someone overnight comfortably or maybe two not so comfortably. I live in Staten Island, so there is still some travel time required to get to Penn, but it isn't very long. Let me know, so we can make arrangements. Thanks!! Pamela Colon