Our First Day of School-Sotogrande Style!

Today was first day of school and man was it fun!  It was the last day before the week-long mid term holiday, so a Halloween Festival was put on.  In the morning, the students planned their own games and prizes; the teachers took no part of it.  The students made up the games, made posters, and brought in their own candies (or sweeties) for prizes.  There was a pillow fight game, a twister-type game, drawing games, and a game where students put vaseline on their noses and then stuck it into a bowl of cotton.  To top of the sweeties, pop was also available.  Needless to say, the kids (and teachers) were quite hyped:  dancing, singing, playing, and running.  It was quite a site to see :)

Then we had a a break, where all the teachers met for breakfast:  coffee, juice, sweets, rolls, bread, cheese,  sausage, and leche frita (fried condensed milk)-very sweet!  While at break, the students continued on with their festivities with no or little supervision.  The students, no matter the age, are very independent and responsible here.  I've noticed how they take responsibility for their actions,  how polite they are when talking to teachers and other students, and how they pick up after themselves without always being told to do so. 

The festivities continued until lunch, when the students gradually wandered over to the lunchroom (or cantina). Time is quite different here.  There are very little clocks in the buildings and no really set schedule.  While my students were at technology class, I noticed no clocks in the room; they just switched classes when the next students came.  There was no bell at the end of the day either.  Students were let out whenever they were ready and got on the buses.

Another difference at the school is the curriculum.  The teachers do not focus so much on standards and set subjects.  Rather there is "theme" for the school where all the subjects are incorporated.  Rather than separate math, language, reading, science, history, art, etc. this "theme" covers everything.  The last theme was called "Exploration."  Starting next Monday, we will be starting the "Festivals of Light" theme, focusing on Divali, Hanaukkah, and Christmas.  The assessments are also quite different.  Spelling and math tests are used, but otherwise mostly projects.  The students just finished up making a movie and presentation on their own explorer.  Yes nine-year olds created a movie and also a project that was presented to the class!  It's very different from the states, but I think we're all going to enjoy learning and teaching with this new kind of curriculum.