Show Time

Show time! First day of classes. For me last minute anxiety – always. Did I prepare enough materials, would I run out of lessons before time was up, would the work be too hard, or  - worse – too easy for the kids? And four classes in a row with the same kids – how can I keep them interested, focused, for that long? And we know that they were probably just as anxious, and more.

All survived, volunteers and students. For Jim, it was an especially good day with the most advanced students. For Georgianna and Alex it was a terrific day with the supposedly least advanced  students (we’re not so sure, maybe people say that they because they’re the youngest ones?). We varied our activities so that students with different learning styles would get chances to participate. Some are quiet but understand English and could explain to others in Polish. Some are confident and speak out, even if they’re not sure of an answer. They were enthusiastic and willing and ready to work. Not that we know something about their levels we’re really excited about the next two weeks.

Matthew had the biggest class because he got two extra students, Carolina, the counselor, and Kasia, the camp theatre director. They moved around a lot, first because of a sudden downpour and later for a walk around Reymontowka, an opportunity for students to use and expand their English vocabularies.

It was a good day for all – the usual outstanding meals (and we’re expanding our Polish food vocabularies as well as our waistlines). Alex and Charlotte joined the campers afternoon activities  - which gave some of the Polish students extra time with English speakers.

We’re meeting our goals – we’re working as a team, and we’re having fun.