Visions staffers may get weekends off, but our intrepid bloggers on the Bahamian island of San Salvador -- Amanda Conigliaro, Tara Gosnell and Scott Perdue -- all stayed busy over the weekend writing about their latest academic adventures on that island. First up is Gosnell, an English and technical communication major who, along with her fellow English students, spent time on Friday teaching similes and metaphors to some local schoolchildren.
May 18, 2007: Lost on a One-Road Island
Today was the English trip to the elementary school. It was also the first completely sunny day we've had. We rode out in a full-size van with a door that threatened to open while driving and windows that had to be propped open by hand. We dropped off one of the biology girls at the medical clinic along the way, but we passed by it so we had to turn around.
The school consisted of several trailers with grade levels posted on the doors. We split into two groups; one for 3rd grade and one for 6th grade. All the younger students were happy to see us, and the grades that we didn't visit were disappointed we didn't stop by.
The classrooms looked like any elementary school you'd see in the States, with different boards around the room illustrating letters, animals, countries and so on. There were several posters with people on them, but they weren't localized; out of over 15 people, all but one were white.
The children wore uniforms, and the teachers didn't put up with any nonsense. Dr. Swenson asked a question and all the kids just sat there. The teacher said, "She talkin'. Answer her!" and she was answered with a chorus of "Yes, ma'am"s that sounded like "Yes, mom." I was answered that way frequently, as well.
We were there to introduce the students to simile and metaphor, and had them write about some images and turn them into poems. Several students wrote good poems. The most notable ones were about an airplane that was louder than one student's grandpa's snoring, a poem written about my hair as a beautiful red rainbow, and one written about Mike. The last one follows:
Mike's shirt is brown
Mike's jeans are also brown
Mike has a lot of hair
Mike is a bear
The students were excited to have us there, and kept bickering over who got to hold our hands or sit next to us. They also loved having their pictures taken.
During the afternoon, some of us took a boat ride to Bird Island (full of birds) and Iguana Island (full of territorial, sneezing, head-bobbing iguanas). Both places were really neat, and we got to see a shark on the way back to the research center.
The end of the evening was spent at Short Stop, where we were supposed to hear a live band and have a poetry contest. We ended up just sitting, drinking and playing cards. During the walk back to the station, Liz, Katie, Mike and I stopped to marvel at the field of stars. Seeing millions of stars and listening to the ocean lapping on the shore was so peaceful. I've seen a lot of neat things, but I think one of the coolest things was seeing Mars reflected in the ocean.
Awwww Tara, the day must have been VERY rewarding to all of you. I am sure those students will remember that day for years to come. Love the poem about Mike! I cannot wait to hear about the whole trip! What fun, and what experiences, you all have had!
Ah, seeing Mars reflect in the water - must have been beatiful! Do you know what kind of shark it was? Sounds like it was quite the experience in the school and that the children absolutely loved it! The poem aout Mike definitely made me smile! Did the students read the poems aloud?
Yes, they read them in front of the class. I'm afraid the "Mike is a bear" idea may have been my fault, too.
I suspect it was a reef shark, but I can't be sure, as I didn't see it (not that I would really know, I guess).
Mars on the water? Inspirational...as is the work your doing. Be proud of yourself! And best of luck with all your future adventures.