Friday, February 23, 2007

Thesis papers

The 10th grade students have just completed their first thesis papers ever. Teaching students how to compose a thesis paper is a process I find extremely difficult. Kids seem to find it as strange a concept as the initial introduction to negative numbers in math. Every time I teach thesis writing, I find new ways of approaching it. I have tried giving students large index cards for evidence paragraph drafts. This time around, I gave them a worksheet. The worksheet eliminated the problem of losing index cards and gave students a better feel for the paper as a whole.

I think these 10th graders understand that the paper centers around a central argument. In their next paper, I will need to work with them on composing thesis statements, creating transitions, incorporating quotes, and leaving readers with something to think about in the conclusion. Learning to write is like learning a new sport; there are so many different tasks to manage simultaneously. Now if I could figure out a way to work in crowds and trophies…perhaps persuasive papers later in the spring?

Wednesday, February 21, 2007

Night Carnival

Last night the carnival festivities concluded. After the jump-ins and jump-ups, there is a children’s parade, a day carnival, and a night carnival. The night carnival is the final event of the festival.

Streets were transformed into a parade route with shanty stands lining either side. Elaborate floats came down in an endless stream, trailed by masses of dancers in costume. The whole event was a visual feast. People prepare for months, working on dance steps, rehearsing with bands, building the floats, and sewing costumes. They say carnival week is an important part of the island’s economy. I’m just hoping this means no more loud music emanating from the neighbors’ place at 2am! (At least, not for a few months…)


Saturday, February 10, 2007

Creepy crawlies

My second grade students are doing a unit on bugs at the moment. Yesterday was spider day. The boys were thrilled to hear that spiders have fangs (just like vampires). Everyone's favorite bit of information was that spiders have a spinnaret on their rear ends that silk comes out of... I'm seeing a new spider dance: shake your spinnaret!

I searched online for bug crafts and found a lovely one for praying mantises. After printing the template, I tried making one myself and found that the activity was much too difficult for my young ones. The kids came in yesterday and saw the sample praying mantis perched on my desk. They all fell in love with it and asked to take it home. I told them that the person who was the most well-behaved student that day could take it with them. After hearing that news, all of my students metamorphosed into little angels. I realized that I would need more than one praying mantis and spent the afternoon glueing leg and wing parts together. A bevy of bugs awaits Monday's lesson!

Thursday, February 08, 2007

Carnival Preparations

Every February, Curacao holds an annual Carnival. This is an event that the entire island gears up for. In the tradition of the never-ending party, this event has many pre-parties that precede it.

One form of pre-party is known as a jump-in. This is an event held at a specified location. There is music (usually a live band), and participants may purchase a t-shirt ahead of time as an entrance ticket. This event is usually held in the evening.

Another type of pre-party is called a jump-up. Like the jump-in, participants buy a t-shirt ahead of time that they wear to the event. Unlike jump-ins, this event is not stationary. The band plays on a moving truck and dancers follow behind it. They make their way down a pre-planned route, much like a parade. Jump-ins are daytime events and people line the streets to watch the dancing crowd.

This past Thursday, a friend and I inadvertently attended a jump-in. It was a fun, spirited event that I enjoyed. Jump-ups, however, are met with mixed approval on the islands. A group of my high school students spent a class period discussing the merits and problems of jump-ups, then wrote opinion essays on the subject. Some were frustrated by the high level of alcohol abuse in these events, especially among teens. The kids’ heated discussions on the subject fascinated me, and I was interested to hear that some of the students found jump-ups inappropriately monitored. Sometimes the island seems like such a thrill-seeking locale; it was reassuring to hear high school students discussing the cons of alcohol intoxication.