Day 3
Tuesday morning I woke up early ready for the day. I took a leisurely shower and walked to the bakery for a panschke (Polish donut) for breakfast. Watched CNN news about Japans continued recovery efforts after the Tsunami. Wondered if any of my former students or colleagues were affected by the tragedy. I looked at my brand new watch 15 minutes before 8 a.m. I walked the 7 minutes to the school and noted the oddly vacant sidewalks. I was met at the door by Majka, the photographer, who took me immediately to the classroom where 25 students had been waiting for me to arrive. Apparently, the clerk at the store had set my new watch to the time before daylight savings time had started. I was an hour late. I spent 20 minutes apologizing before the class ended. Waldek generously understood and even laughed at my mistake. As we walked to the teacher’s lounge, I noticed that the school clocks all have a different time. Just like in the U.S.
Another observation about high school in Krotoszyn was that each classroom was locked after each period. The teacher retrieved a key from the lounge and met the students outside the door of the classroom. Keys and locks seemed to be a major priority in the school. I did not ask why. But I noticed in the hostel and the residential flats there are multiple keys to gain access to almost every room or entry.
I taught 3 classes with Waldek.
They ranged from beginner to low intermediate level English classes. I did a “Hot Potato” activity to get the students to relax and set the comfortable tone for the meeting.
I demonstrated how to play several of the board games I had sent Waldek. The games focus on context clues for new vocabulary, listening for details, determining fact from opinion, and placing events in sequential order. The students really did not have enough time to get the academic benefit of the games, so hopefully Waldek will take the time to reinforce his textbook lessons with the thinking games that bring about more internalized English instead of rule based abstract language.
The last session was with a“difficult” behavior class. I did the same activities but made it very structured with participatory elements. That class seemed to get more of the point of the games because they were more comfortable with the structured environment rather than the open ended “play the game to practice your English” instructions I had given the other two classes.
After the class Waldek and I did a tour of downtown churches, park with its floating swan family, grocery shopping, and snacking on the most amazing sweets imaginable.
I found myself wondering, will I lose weight from all the walking or get fat from all the sugar?
That afternoon Waldek took me to the NGO where he volunteers to help troubled youth. I did not want to do a “lesson” with the young students in the afterschool program so I talked to them while I made animal balloons. One of the boys,Hubert, “knew” English so I made a point of asking him questions. He wasn't as fluent as he wanted his 9 year old friends to believe. Instead of doing a presentation I told stories about animals as I made balloon animals. When I gave a rabbit to one very shy girl she wet her pants. Later I found out that she has strong reactions in front of any man because of suspected abuse in her past. When the kids became bored with my attempts to entertain them, they went into the next room to play video games. The social worker in charge informed me of some of the difficulties these young ones face. The situation sounded so similar to many aid agencies helping kids in the U.S.
I tried to say goodbye to the boys but they were too interested in video games to say goodbye. Before I left the young girl who had the accident asked for another balloon that had not been blown up. She smiled and said "Goodbye" in English. A small tear of satisfaction almost fell from my eye as I walked out.
Next I walked a quarter mile to a community center in an old communist era apartment block. The center provided after school activities for older kids. Waldek informed me that the program had won national recognition for its effective methods in addressing the needs of kids from troubled homes. I did a hybrid version of the presentation on American Culture with balloon animals thrown in. Waldek translated much of the information so the kids could follow the point. They were all comfortable with me and much less inhibited than the students in the school setting. Obviously, they had close connections to the adult sponsors including Waldek and Majka, the photographer for most of my adventure.
Photos, translating. Balloons very interactive
That evening I ate Chicken with red cabbage and apples in the hotel restaurant. I was completely alone in a grand hall decorated for a wedding or other engagement. Only one table was set for me. We forget what a communal experience eating usually is until we sit alone chewing and scraping the plate by ourselves.
Again there was no internet available in the hotel. The receptionist explained that someone would be coming on Friday to fix it.
