This School is cool!!

Ms. Baker's 5th grade classroom

I love this ASV! This is a creative and inspiring school.  Although it is a very liberal school, the children are very intelligent and advanced compared to American schools.  The children are allowed to get up and out of the classroom as they please. After lunch (long lunch/outside time), they can do whatever they want.  Some go outside, study, or go visit with other teachers. It seems like these students’ way of thinking is much different than American students. They are very positive and confident in their abilities.  During a bus conversation with Malory, I expressed to her that I don't know what life would be like with everyone being so confident and sure of themselves. Malory and I are the total opposite (quiet and reserved) so it was kind of out of our understanding. I know these traits are important but not everyone that I know is confident and a sure of themselves 100%of the time.  I do see these traits in Spanish adults that I’ve seen around. They are confident and preoccupied with themselves.

In ASV, students are eager to answer questions and strive for the best at all times.  For example, in my class, Ms Baker asks who wants to do their presentation first and about half of the class raised their hands. Also, when she is lecturing and has a question they all raise their hand right away and sometimes they even yell out the answer (she does not like it when they do this). But it amazes me that they are so confident in themselves that they always have and want to give an answer.

These students are very advanced.  While conducting my reading groups, I noticed that the reading level is higher than it is in a 5th grade classroom in the U. S.  As I listened to my student's read, I said to myself "I think they read better than I do".  I also had the chance to listen to some if their presentations. Ms. Baker assigned them a presentation on their favorite artist to teach to the class for computer lab class.  They had to research their artist and use examples of their work on a PowerPoint or poster. The presentations were great.  They used special effects, different kinds of fonts, and videos to teach about their favorite artist. These children are worldly.  They are exposed to many different types of arts and they also travel all over the world. One of the students, Guillermo, told me he was visiting Italy, Greece, and Turkey this summer.  Another student said she was going to Mexico for the summer to visit some ruins. It is great to hear all of their life stories. Can't wait to hear some more!!