Today, I played hopscotch with some girls at recess (not really helping the sprained ankle that I sustained after I marched a bit too hard) and then led some 8 year olds in their first game of Ninja while their teacher was in a meeting with the principal and they couldn't go into class yet. Moments like these where I have the opportunity to interact with students in English and just mess around with them in a language that isn't their own native tongue makes me smile. They really learn more when they're having fun and smiling and they don't even realize it! They are so much fun and make going to work seem like playtime instead of work.
Today was such a great day and it's only half done! There is no better feeling than the moment after the boy that you are tutoring joins the rest of the class and completes his work correctly. I am so proud of him! After 3 weeks of reading help, he sounded out the word "watch" by himself and proceeded to write it down in a sentence (They watch tv.) using proper grammar, a capital letter at the beginning and a "dot" at the end. While this doesn't sound like much, it was enough to have the teacher and I high fiving everyone around the room. The entire class was excited and the boy couldn't stop beaming. This moment is one that inspires me and motivates me to continue everyday trying to make a difference in someone's life.
I've found that high fives are one of the best motivators. My roommate is obsessed with them and gives everyone random high fives all of the time. I find that everytime you high five someone, it leaves everyone feeling wonderful inside. It's almost impossible to high five and not smile. The students love them and it really helps to get them to do better work. I urge you to go out and high five someone who needs it (hint: everyone needs and deserves a good high five every now and then). I know that I am going to try to incorporate them into my daily life and use them to keep my friends spirits up!
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