Facebook
Twitter
Google+
YouTube
  • Home
  • Our Story
    • Fast Facts
    • Our Team
    • Our Founders
  • Volunteer
    • 1000 Smiles
      • Project Basics
      • Overview
      • Dates/Fees/Apply
      • Forms
    • SuperKids
      • Project Basics
      • Overview
      • Dates/Fees/Apply
      • Forms
    • iCARE
      • Project Basics
      • Overview
      • Dates/Fees/Apply
      • Forms
    • Sealants Project
      • Project Basics
      • Overview
      • Dates/Fees/Apply
      • Forms
    • Teach the Teachers
      • Project Basics
      • Overview
      • Dates/Fees/Apply
      • Forms
  • Locations
    • Clinic Locations
    • School Locations
  • Donate
  • Partners
    • Sandals Foundation
    • Testimonials
  • News
    • News
    • Blog
  • Contact

Super Natural Experience in Jamaica!

November 18, 2013greatshapeincUncategorized

I have finished teaching my second day in beautiful Jamaica – and what a day! After lunch, I work with a smaller group of students who need extra help. So, there I am outside with about 10 fourth graders, a preservice teacher from Oregon, and an assistant from Mississippi. We were getting started to “make rain” by standing in a circle starting with rubbing palms, snapping fingers, clapping hands, slapping thighs, stomping feet, and then backwards…when it started to rain! But, wait, there’s more!

After that, they participated in an echo read with a poem called “Storm.” By that time, we had to go in the corridor under the tin roof on the pavement. What do you think happened after I said, “BOOM!” and they said, “BOOM!”?  We heard thunder! As the poem went on, the storm grew stronger. After it was over, I told the students to high-five his/her partner and say, “That was so cool!” And, that’s just what they did. The principal, who saw the last part of the echo read, had a different name for it. She called it “a blessing.”

Students of Jamaica

When we finished the game and reading, they practiced a reading strategy I called, “*If I Know This then I Know That.” So, using white boards, they learned new words from the poem like light, bright, night, and then brainstormed other words they knew before we went onto “oom” and other patterns.

The hardest part is I want to have MORE TIME to work with each of them…but, I’m going to just use the word the principal said…it was a blessing.

*Unfortunately, there are many fourth graders who can’t read…but they BURN with the desire to LEARN. It breaks your heart and inspires you at the same time…an indescribable feeling.

Tags: Great Shape! Inc., humanitarian, Jamaica, Sandals Foundation, Sandals Resorts, Teach the Children, volunteerism, volunteers
Previous post Lighting Strikes on Jamaica Next post A Jamaican Dish That Will Make You Twist!

Related Articles

Commemorating Freedom: Jamaica Celebrates Labour Day

June 1, 2013greatshapeinc

Cool Updates From Our Projects and Information on Chikungunya Virus

October 14, 2014greatshapeinc

Save the Date: Ashland Fundrasier

March 11, 2016greatshapeinc

Recent Posts

  • Interview with Michael Carabash
  • JOIN US! Annual Fun-Raiser | 30 Year Reunion in Ashland, Oregon
  • Collaboration | SuperKids | iCARE
  • Humanitarian Experience | Reflective Words
  • ANDREW’S SIGHT

Archives

Categories

Great Shape! Inc.

  • 4120 Dale Rd Ste J-8 #183
    Modesto CA 95356 USA
  • 510-893-1751
  • 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization

Connect with Us!

Email
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Our Story
  • Volunteer
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
Copyright © 2015 Great Shape! Inc. | Photos by WorkStory Photography |