Tamales and New Classroom

Today we had traditional tamales for the breakfast program.  But the food was the only tradition we kept.  We fed the kids four at a time and there were more than 60 today.  (Once again school was cancelled.  I'm not sure why.)

200 Homemade Tamales

Beautiful Girls with Popsicles

The reason we only ate four at a time is because Lourdes asked each of the kids to put themselves in the shoes of a family from K2.  The mother of this family recently passed.   The kids put themselves in the shoes of each child and the father of the family.  They dictated special messages to us which we will forward to the family.  It took hours, but they were patient.

Some waited more patiently than others

When they finished giving their message, they washed their hands, then sat and we served them in their seats.  We prayed with each group individually before they ate.

Here are some of the kids who will be in my preschool class

Have you ever seen so many kids on one swing set?

Afterward, Lourdes and some of the older girls helped me set up my classroom.  I have had a headache since Sunday.  Setting up the classroom was overwhelming and did NOT help my headache.  I can't imagine being a preschooler in that classroom.  There are so many toys and fun things to do I think I would be constantly distracted.  I expected to have the opposite problem, but we will not lack for things to do.  I tried to arrange things so that one side of the room can be for learning and one side for playing.  We'll see how that goes.

The Playing Side!

The Learning Side!

Tomorrow will be the first day of classes.  The kids are excited.  They are all hoping they will be young enough to come to my class, even though Lourdes has told them repeatedly only preschoolers will go.  I think we will just work on names.  Since there has been no school this week we are seeing kids who don't normally come to the breakfast program.  If we make names and place them at seats on the table, then the kids will have a place of their own.  Also I will be able to see if they know any letters or how to hold a crayon and have a better idea of where to start.

I feel intimidated because the two people who have done this before me were really good.  Everyone speaks highly of them.  Now people are starting to call me "maestra" which makes me uncomfortable because I am not a teacher and I don't want to disappoint anyone.  I was supposed to have 2 teens helping me, but tomorrow none of the girls are able to come!  So it may be me and 20 preschoolers.  Please (seriously) pray for me and the kids.  I want to provide structure and still let them have fun.  I've been reading blogs about activities, but most of the blogs are parents with their own kids.  Not 20 kids.

I have a white board, but no markers for it.  It will take time for me to dig through everything in that class and find a use for it.  But it is such a blessing to have too much stuff!  Except every Friday when  I have to take everything down and put it all away because they have Sunday school class in the same room.

This morning my Mom called on Skype.  It was nice to receive a phone call from home.  Nobody in the US has an international calling plan, so nobody can call me.  She called when I only had 15 minutes to be ready before I had to leave the house, so I really couldn't talk, but at least I knew she was thinking about me.

Well, I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.  And I'll try to take some photos.

Don Juan, the guard/maintenance man/overall helper of everyone, is going to make a scratching post for my cat.  He is excited to make it.  I showed him pictures today of scratching posts from Amazon.com.  Five minutes later he came back with some wood that he will use for the base.  I'll take photos when it is done.

Now we are waiting for Lourdes to finish a bible study.  Then we will head home for the day.  I hope this headache goes away for tomorrow.  I want a clear head on my first day with the kids.