Friday, November 21, 2008

Miss Reynolds' KV School - Infrastructure & Land











The school is laid out on a beautiful piece of land. It is like being in a modified jungle. When we first drove up, I saw wild monkeys, dogs, cows, squirrels, and a peacock ran across our path, which is a sign of good luck. It is very green and the students take great pride in their gardens and natural ways to preserve the environment. I was very impressed with how the students could articulate their involvement in keeping the campus "alive."

They playground equipment needs to be updated, but the students, and Miss Reynolds, has a positive attitude about getting outside and being active. It was wonderful to see students playing together from all different ages.

This community of learners is very proud of their hands-on projects and they post bulletin boards to show their students' work. We were fortunate enough to have students give us a tour and present their work to us. This was a valuable activity because the students were sharing pieces they were proud of and practicing their English simultaneously.

The environment is very different from ours, so it was almost surreal being on campus with the students.

8 comments:

  1. What an amazing experience. I can't wait to hear all about your trip, and the teaching practices that you learned from India. I wonder what they daily routine looks like. Do they feel the pressure that we do in the states to achieve certain test scores?

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  2. You are going to be shocked when I share with you the testing pressure the students and the teachers feel. The students have the same syllabus that is used at ALL the KV schools, so if a student transfers schools, he or she will still be receiving teh EXACT same lesson that they would have been at the other school. The students are very strict about their syllabus and ofetn times, they remind the teacher how much more they need to get done to do well on the exams. They have tests called Boards, half yearly exams, and exit exams for 10th and 12th grade (they call it 10 and 12th class here). They also have state standardized tests. It is very rigorous and intense. They are trying to transition over to less rote-memorization activities and more project based activities that still meet the requirements on the syllabus. It is amazing that we are practically a world away and have the same STRESS!!! Thank you for posting on our blog. You are a welcomed guest in our classroom. :)

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  3. Miss Bailin,
    I can't believe you saw monkeys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Did you know they are my favorite animal? Did you get a picture of the monkeys? If not, will you try to get a picture of them?

    Your student who loves monkeys,
    Haley Maurice

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  4. MMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!! Oh by the way Miss Balin, you spelled the and often wrong. Now where was I... oh ya... MMMMMMMMMOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNNKKKKKKKKKEEEEYYYYYYYYYSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!!

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  5. Haley is awesome for liking monkeys! Yay!

    Devon
    the Supreme Monkey

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  6. Devon,
    I don't know if you will ever read this, but here it goes.
    I LIKE MONKEYS WAY MORE THAN YOU!!!! I am typing the truth (not lying).

    Haley Maurice

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  7. We really miss your presence in the classroom. It looks like you are having a wicked awesome time too. Do all students wear uniforms? I can't wait to see more pictures and hear more about your ongoing adventure. I really miss you and can;t wait to see you again.

    Your Student,
    Kaci

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  8. Hi everyone! :)

    I do know that monkeys are Haley's and Devon's favorite animal. I have not gotten a picture of the monkeys yet because we are usually drving past them or I am wit the kids and I can't get to my camera on time. I will keep trying.

    Thank you so much for being my editor in chief Devon. You may have 2 Jolly Ranchers. :)

    I miss you too Kaci! I am sure things are going well and that you are being a wonderful leader in class. Keep it up. I will see you after Thanksgiving. The students do all wear uniforms at these schools.

    Smiles,
    Miss Bailin

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