week two

Another week is brought to a close and I am simultaneously pumped up and exhausted. Both Ryan and I got to have groups this week which was so refreshing. It was nice for the kids to take breaks together and it was nice for us to be able to plan some activities together. There were times I felt Ryan schooled me. I am fine with younger kids and I absolutely adore 11-14 year olds, but I am clueless about what to do with them. Ryan took his own approach and totally ruled the day. Alien autopsy's and hall of heroes. He worked his magic with face paint to create very realistic looking black eyes for each of his kids, always a fun way to send them home.... I appreciated being able to have Ryan there and see him playing and being creative. We both had, more or less, great kids.

My experience this time around is different from that of four years ago. I feel more aware and sensitive to the group dynamic, I feel more able to tap in to what needs to happen next. I had one girl who happened to be the oldest in the group and the most english under her belt, but she was super shy and not confident at all. As we made a show for parents today she had the most lines of anyone and she delivered them with strength and confidence. It took her three days but when it came time she pronounced "Mrs. Krump" perfectly. I enjoyed watching the transformation that occurred in her in just five short days. I loved watching the kids coming together to help out when another didn't understand. That is the focus that I feel is my strength, in building the confidence, in having fun, in opening ones eyes to possibility. I am happy that I can continue working with this program because those things are the main focus, rather than at a language school where I have to teach rules. Blech.