By the way, look for video and still photo updates in previous days!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
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| Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) "Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." | |
Friday, August 7, 2009
Last Reflection
If you've noticed, my video clips are shorter. That's because it takes so long to try to upload videos. Sometimes it works when they are long and sometimes it doesn't.
Tonight I will be going to a play that is based on a true story of how a Puerto Rican town had declared Puerto Rico independent and was independent for 24 hours. It will be interesting to see if my Spanish is good enough to understand it all.
Tomorrow morning we might go to the beach near here. And then we will be off at noon to get to the airport.
Tonight I will be going to a play that is based on a true story of how a Puerto Rican town had declared Puerto Rico independent and was independent for 24 hours. It will be interesting to see if my Spanish is good enough to understand it all.
Tomorrow morning we might go to the beach near here. And then we will be off at noon to get to the airport.
Ocean Park Beach near the University
Next week we will be learning how to put all our videos into a presentation.
Well, its been interesting. I tried to upload some last videos, but nothing was working right now. I'm hoping that at some point I'll be able to put some still pictures and better videos into the blog.
Day Five Morning
After having such a time with the technological aspect of working with our blogs, our trip to Ponce was cancelled. Instead, we returned to Old San Juan and toured El Morro in the morning and have this afternoon to organize our thoughts and use the computers.
Old San Juan
El Morro was magnificent. It was engineered by the Spanish to protect their bay. Puerto Rico was such a valuable port that other people such as the English, Dutch and pirates tried to overtake it many times. But none of their attempts were very successful until in 1898, when the US declared war on Spain just to get the Phillipines, Cuba and Puerto Rico. The Spanish defenses including their navy were declining and El Morro fell into the hands of the US.
There are six levels and the walls are up to 12 feet thick and 100 feet high. It took about one hundred years to complete.
The soldiers slept twenty to a hard wooden bed except for the leaders who had there own, and the men were very short and skinny (4 feet 7 inches tall).
Day Four Afternoon
Well, we had our last language class in the afternoon. One thing that I will take away with me is how the Puerto Rican people may want independence in their hearts and their literature mentions this often, but the huge majority realize that it wouldn't be practical. As soon as the US would be gone, some other country would want to aqcuire them. And also, what would happen to all the Puerto Ricans in the US? Would they be forced to move back to Puerto Rico? Not only that, but Puerto Rico depends so much on Federal funding.
Then our class on the history of education in Puerto Rico was so very enlightening. The changes of Puerto Rican government since becoming a territory of the US has created an unstable education system in regards to the language of delivery of instruction. There were so many changes between requiring English to be the only language of instruction to English and Spanish or bilingual education. Right now Spanish is the language of instruction, but English is required as a class for one hour every day grades 1-12. But the governor just changed again in January and he wants to encourage English instruction.
The present economy has really affected Puerto Rico. The teachers lost their union and many were fired at the end of the school year because the government is being reformed and tens of thousands of government positions are being cut.
Then our class on the history of education in Puerto Rico was so very enlightening. The changes of Puerto Rican government since becoming a territory of the US has created an unstable education system in regards to the language of delivery of instruction. There were so many changes between requiring English to be the only language of instruction to English and Spanish or bilingual education. Right now Spanish is the language of instruction, but English is required as a class for one hour every day grades 1-12. But the governor just changed again in January and he wants to encourage English instruction.
The present economy has really affected Puerto Rico. The teachers lost their union and many were fired at the end of the school year because the government is being reformed and tens of thousands of government positions are being cut.
Day Four Morning
We travelled to Old San Juan where we visited a public elementary school located on the coast. The school was named after Abraham Lincoln, and an older gentleman at the school had insisted on taking me to see the statue of Linclon while we were waiting for the principal of the school. He was extremely proud of the marble statue and said how every penny was raised for it by a past principal. To him it was extremely important and a necessity to see. It's funny how none of the teachers or principal thought to give us a tour or show off this aspect of their school.
If you visit Val's Blog you can see me presenting my blog to the teachers at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.
However, we did get special permission to visit the unique neghborhood of La Perla which is a small community outside of the walls of Old San Juan which is right across the street from the school. In the Spanish colonial days the slaughterhouse and cemetary had to be moved outside of the city and so the people connected to those two industries moved, too. It has a lot of history with a low level of education and immigrants from the countryside in the 50's with 2000 families. Although it is known for having problems with drugs, it is a closed community today with only 100 families and is trying to better its image. We even went into a head start classroom.
View from a roof of a house in La Perla.
Neighborhood cat in La Perla.
If you visit Val's Blog you can see me presenting my blog to the teachers at Abraham Lincoln Elementary School.
However, we did get special permission to visit the unique neghborhood of La Perla which is a small community outside of the walls of Old San Juan which is right across the street from the school. In the Spanish colonial days the slaughterhouse and cemetary had to be moved outside of the city and so the people connected to those two industries moved, too. It has a lot of history with a low level of education and immigrants from the countryside in the 50's with 2000 families. Although it is known for having problems with drugs, it is a closed community today with only 100 families and is trying to better its image. We even went into a head start classroom.
View from a roof of a house in La Perla.
Neighborhood cat in La Perla.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Reflection on Religion in Puerto Rico
I am getting very sleepy and will need to be up to visit public schools, but I had some thoughts I need to record before I forget.
I wanted to mention how this school is a private Catholic University. It is over 100 years old and has a chapel, statues, grottos, etc. Our coordinator even prayed for us on our bus before our excursions on Monday and Tuesday. It was in Spanish, but I understood it. She thanked God for the weather and opportunity of the day and asked for his blessing and protection. She ended in Jesus's name. It was refreshing after teaching in a public school to see that freedom of religion.
The Catholic religion of course came from Spain. The African slaves came with their beliefs of animism (everything having a spirit such as trees and rocks) and often incorporated it into the Catholic faith. The Taino Indians did so as well with their beliefs. But we also learned that the protestant religions had come after Puerto Rico became a territory of the US. The island was somewhat divided into four quarters of Anglican, Mennonite, Methodist and Lutheran churches. Now there are many other churches, too.
Well, that's all for now. I'm off to snooze!
Que Dios Bendiga!
I wanted to mention how this school is a private Catholic University. It is over 100 years old and has a chapel, statues, grottos, etc. Our coordinator even prayed for us on our bus before our excursions on Monday and Tuesday. It was in Spanish, but I understood it. She thanked God for the weather and opportunity of the day and asked for his blessing and protection. She ended in Jesus's name. It was refreshing after teaching in a public school to see that freedom of religion.
The Catholic religion of course came from Spain. The African slaves came with their beliefs of animism (everything having a spirit such as trees and rocks) and often incorporated it into the Catholic faith. The Taino Indians did so as well with their beliefs. But we also learned that the protestant religions had come after Puerto Rico became a territory of the US. The island was somewhat divided into four quarters of Anglican, Mennonite, Methodist and Lutheran churches. Now there are many other churches, too.
Well, that's all for now. I'm off to snooze!
Que Dios Bendiga!
Day Three Afternoon
We went to the Museo de Arte de Puerto Rico. Finally a place where they wouldn't let us take video or pictures! So we could relax and just enjoy what was there. I had a couple of favorites: Oller, Pou, and Sanchez-Felipe. Mostly I liked realists or impressionists. I also pondered over a few of the modern and contemporary displays, some of which I truly appreciated.
Then six of us walked to an Italian-Argentinian cafe and ate outside. Many of us were craving fruits and vegetables which don't seem to be plentiful or a common part of the diet, and it was good fresh food. I had fresh squeezed lemondade, fresh bread, and a cesar salad with shrimp. Mmm-mmm good! The slow pace caught up with us and we realized that they don't ruch customers with their check like back home. They would have let us sit there all evening. But after two hours we were trying to speed things up so we could go back to the dorms and get ready to go out salsa dancing.
We took a taxi to Old San Juan and when we were told the the live music wouldn't start till eleven, we went to a shop that was still open. Then we hung out until the band showed up. The congos and other drums, trombone, trumpet and keyboards sounded great. I even danced to a song, and boy are salsa songs long!
Then six of us walked to an Italian-Argentinian cafe and ate outside. Many of us were craving fruits and vegetables which don't seem to be plentiful or a common part of the diet, and it was good fresh food. I had fresh squeezed lemondade, fresh bread, and a cesar salad with shrimp. Mmm-mmm good! The slow pace caught up with us and we realized that they don't ruch customers with their check like back home. They would have let us sit there all evening. But after two hours we were trying to speed things up so we could go back to the dorms and get ready to go out salsa dancing.
We took a taxi to Old San Juan and when we were told the the live music wouldn't start till eleven, we went to a shop that was still open. Then we hung out until the band showed up. The congos and other drums, trombone, trumpet and keyboards sounded great. I even danced to a song, and boy are salsa songs long!
Day Three Morning
What an interesting morning! We learned about Puerto Rican culture and literature and other interesting trivia. Such as that goofing off and hanging around have become slang words in Puerto Rico. (Goofear and janguear is how they spell them so that they become verbs and adjectives) The list of words is long.
Then we had a music lesson to learn about salsa. We learned that influences were from the Spanish colonies, African slaves, Taino Indians and even France. Also that because Cuba was a huge center for Salsa that Puerto Rico listened to the Cuban radio stations and that's how Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico all identify with the same salsa. The Plena is a special type of music that is found in Puerto Rico and is used to tell stories. It also is used when workers go on strike. They aren't violent during demonstrations or protests, but rather walk around and sing a Plena song about wanting things to change.
Then we had a salsa lesson!
Then we had a music lesson to learn about salsa. We learned that influences were from the Spanish colonies, African slaves, Taino Indians and even France. Also that because Cuba was a huge center for Salsa that Puerto Rico listened to the Cuban radio stations and that's how Cuba, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico all identify with the same salsa. The Plena is a special type of music that is found in Puerto Rico and is used to tell stories. It also is used when workers go on strike. They aren't violent during demonstrations or protests, but rather walk around and sing a Plena song about wanting things to change.
Then we had a salsa lesson!
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Day Two Afternoon
In the afternoon, we traveled to Luquillo Beach. There were kiosks which were mainly for the locals, and they had a variety of foods, but mostly all fried. I'll insert a video when I can so you can see the food. I had fried yuca, a crab empanada and of course rice, beans and plantain.
Then in the evening a few of us found the local corner supermarket. It had a small food stand outside and inside it had anything you might find at a corner market in the US. I searched for milk and ice cream. But the slow pace of life was apparent when I moved an inch in the checkout line in ten minutes. So I put the ice cream back in the freezer until we were at the register, because I realized that if I stood in line with my ice cream it would be soup by the time I'd pay for it!
Later in the evening I called back home. It is such a nice convenience because Puerto Rico is part of the US, and cell phones include it in the nationwide plan.
Then in the evening a few of us found the local corner supermarket. It had a small food stand outside and inside it had anything you might find at a corner market in the US. I searched for milk and ice cream. But the slow pace of life was apparent when I moved an inch in the checkout line in ten minutes. So I put the ice cream back in the freezer until we were at the register, because I realized that if I stood in line with my ice cream it would be soup by the time I'd pay for it!
Later in the evening I called back home. It is such a nice convenience because Puerto Rico is part of the US, and cell phones include it in the nationwide plan.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day Two
Well, it was a day of excursions!
First we went by bus (15 passenger university van) to El Yunque National Rain Forest.
El Yunque literally means The Anvil. This is because the mountains are flat on top and looked like an anvil to the Spaniards.
The mountains looked hazy from below because it frequently rains. And by rains I mean pours.
We had a long drive up the narrow mountain road and then a good hike down into the rain forest valley.
It is all managed by the US National Forest (Department of Agriculture).
The path was paved and had many bilingual signs explaining about the rain forest.
The Yunque is famous for the coqui, a very little but loud tree frog. We didn't see them, but we heard them.
We also saw many species of plants that came from other parts of the world such as bright pink impatiens.
The Big Tree Trail ran along a ridge down to a waterfall. We didn't manage to make it down there, however we did stop at the side of the road to see a different waterfall.
First we went by bus (15 passenger university van) to El Yunque National Rain Forest.
El Yunque literally means The Anvil. This is because the mountains are flat on top and looked like an anvil to the Spaniards.
The mountains looked hazy from below because it frequently rains. And by rains I mean pours.
We had a long drive up the narrow mountain road and then a good hike down into the rain forest valley.
It is all managed by the US National Forest (Department of Agriculture).
The path was paved and had many bilingual signs explaining about the rain forest.
The Yunque is famous for the coqui, a very little but loud tree frog. We didn't see them, but we heard them.
We also saw many species of plants that came from other parts of the world such as bright pink impatiens.
The Big Tree Trail ran along a ridge down to a waterfall. We didn't manage to make it down there, however we did stop at the side of the road to see a different waterfall.
Link to others' blogs
I really encourage you to see other's blogs until mine is updated... Angela's Blog has pictures that help you to see what the tour of Old San Juan was like. :)
(Wasn't that cool? I remembered to insert a link!)
(Wasn't that cool? I remembered to insert a link!)
Monday, August 3, 2009
Day One Inquiry
Just one more thing...
To all those in Mainland America, what would you like to know about Puerto Rico?
My tentative topic for my paper and presentation will be about the importance in educating Mainland America about some of the realities of Puerto Rico and tie that into how that would help my students.
For example, did you know that the water is just fine here? It is controlled by the same US standards we have. Also, the road signs, American money, and US Post Office make Puerto Rico feel like just another state.
However, the drinking age is 18 and of course they speak Spanish. But although they speak Spanish, if the schools want federal money, they need to meet the No Child Left Behind expectations and take standardized tests in English for proficiency. All of this, I did not know, and more.
So, if you can think of any questions, just send me a comment. Thanks!
In any case, enjoy the information!
To all those in Mainland America, what would you like to know about Puerto Rico?
My tentative topic for my paper and presentation will be about the importance in educating Mainland America about some of the realities of Puerto Rico and tie that into how that would help my students.
For example, did you know that the water is just fine here? It is controlled by the same US standards we have. Also, the road signs, American money, and US Post Office make Puerto Rico feel like just another state.
The U.S. Post Office
However, the drinking age is 18 and of course they speak Spanish. But although they speak Spanish, if the schools want federal money, they need to meet the No Child Left Behind expectations and take standardized tests in English for proficiency. All of this, I did not know, and more.
So, if you can think of any questions, just send me a comment. Thanks!
In any case, enjoy the information!
Day One: Afternoon
Video Clips of the Tour of San Juan...
Coming Soon...
Why is it coming soon? Because I have the great tool of technology to bring it to you and yet the stress of not being able to... (I'm on a different computer and can't upload my videos on this one.)
Technological advantages
Coming Soon...
Why is it coming soon? Because I have the great tool of technology to bring it to you and yet the stress of not being able to... (I'm on a different computer and can't upload my videos on this one.)
Technological advantages
- Air travel - Makes trip to Puerto Rico really short (sort of)
- Cell phones - Call home whenever, Receive texts from softball teammates
- Flip video cameras - Record and upload video with a camera the size of my hand
- Computers - Email friends thousands of miles away across an ocean, Blog all my memories
Technological stress
- Air travel - Hurry up and wait at airport
- Cell phones - Signals dropped, Expected to call home whenever, Irrelevent texts are about tonight's game (Sorry ladies, I can't make it.)
- Flip video cameras - Camera wasn't charged when I first got it, Hard to listen or pay attention when worried about recording, Time consuming to upload to YouTube
- Computers - Internet down, Passwords not working, Not enough computers to go around, Video software not on each computer, Received sad news from friend but can't be there for her
Wasn't the camera off?
But now that I've vented... I'm really trying to think of all the ways technology is useful and how to incorporate it into my classroom. Maybe I can have students respond in a blog to me in Spanish. That would help them write, learn Spanish and also learn to deal with the stress of technology. They need to learn sooner or later!!!
I'm going to bed now (without a hot shower) but will be up bright and early for hopefully a relaxing day exploring the rain forest and travelling to a beach! :)
Day One: Morning
- After arriving last night we went out for a quick meal. I had pernil, arroz, habichuelas and amarillos (pulled pork, rice, beans, and sweet plantain). Then we settled into our dorm rooms. It seems as though the hot water must not be on at night, just during the day. I'll have to remember to ask. This morning I ate leftovers because I have a mini fridge in my room.
- Anyway, our day started at 8 this morning. We had two hours of learning about the background of Puerto Rico as an introduction to studying Puerto Rican literature. It was entirely in Spanish. Thankfully I wasn't nearly as fatigued from listening to the lecture as I thought I would be. My comprehension of Spanish is OK as long as the accent is not difficult to understand. I had been nervous since the Puerto Rican accent I hear at home causes me to ask others to repeat themselves a lot. However, I am not alone in that. Others who have been to other Central or South American countries like Mexico, Guatemala or Chile think that the accent here is hard to get. Our professor speaks very clearly and maybe slower, too. But she also said that it is more of an issue with those who are less educated. She said that one seldom hears the poor pronunciation in the news or from teachers. I guess that could be comparable to English in the US. I know I don't always enunciate, and I still say "ain't" even though "ain't" ain't a word 'cause my teacher said it ain't!
My reflection on this is that I need to be more careful when teaching native Spanish speakers. It's frustrating to me to keep asking someone to repeat, so I can only imagine how hard it must be for young students. One of my classmates said how it makes her feel stupid, and I agreed that it makes me feel like I don't know Spanish, even though I do. I need to realize that my students could be feeling this way. For example, they probably feel stupid sometimes when they don't understand a lesson in English and don't know if it's the lesson or the English that they aren't comprehending. (Poor things, it might just be my pronunciation or speed.) And for them they are forced day in and day out to learn in a second language.
The rest of the morning was spent on history and culture, but I'll try to tie it in to the tour of San Juan which was in the afternoon.
Day One
Hello everyone! Here is my first video upload from Puerto Rico!
We toured old San Juan and saw the House of Ponce de Leon in Old San Juan.
Arrival
Nature + Technology + Humans = 5 hour delay
- Nature: Severe thunderstorms closed Philadelphia's airport.
The good news was that when we were able to take off, the arrival of our connecting flight was delayed and we walked rapidly to the next gate just in time to make the flight.
But...
- Technology: Broken Gateway
Over another hour and a half we waited because the gate's walkway out to the plane was broken. Eventually they moved the plane to another gate and everyone from that flight came off, the crew cleaned the plane, and then we were finally allowed to board. I fell asleep thinking that in a few minutes we would be off! But...
- Humans: Illegal Pilot Error
Over an hour and a half more we waited because our captain discovered that he would be way over his fifteen hours if he flew. I was too sleepy to care and knew I couldn't control anything so I just rested quietly. Some passengers were laughing about it, some babies were crying, and some others were very anxious and frustrated from all the delays because they needed to make it to a cruise ship in Puerto Rico. This was my second discovery of how important Puerto Rico is. It's a huge hub for cruise ships. Over a fourth of the passengers were taken off of the plane to get another flight to meet the cruise ship in another port.
So finally once the new pilot showed up, the rest of us flew to Puerto Rico and were only five hours late. This was much better than staying over night in Philly which is just 2 hours from home!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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