The first couple of days

Things I've learned so far in Brazil
1. If it's raining wear sunscreen it'll be sunny again soon. If it's bright and sunny bring an umbrella, more than likely it's going to start raining.
2. Bananas, rice, ground beef and cheese do not make a good casserole (although some people seem to like it)
3. ""Nya, nah, nah, naan, nah" is the same in any language (learned while playing tag with a bunch of four year olds - I think I was "it"!)

I've spent three days working in the school and so far it's been a fun, if exhausting experience! I'm working in the four year old classroom at a community center school where most of the children live in poverty. The morning starts with a prayer service (which fortunately happens before we get there in the morning). When we arrive the kids are taking a bathroom break before heading upstairs to the classroom to start the day. The day starts with "circle time" where the kids sit in a circle and review the day and date and sing some songs. At least I think that's what they do, it's all in Portuguese so they could all be discussing "who is this crazy lady sitting here with us?" The teacher and I sit in those little mini chairs (which make me glad that I don't teach kindergarten - how do they do that all the time, my knees are practically up my nose in those chairs!) Then we move into academic work where the teachers goes over letters and numbers with the kids - I can now count to 8 in Portuguese! I go around and help those who are struggling as they work on worksheets and then help entertain the ones who finish early. Being a Warner School geek I am reading Freire in Brazil - just cause I think that's so cool - and I think he might be rolling over in his grave at the type of education being offered here. That being said, there are a lot of good aspects of this school. The kids get a snack, a lunch and a shower while we are there in the mornings - something they don't always have access to at home. The parents get the opportunity to go out and provide for their families knowing that their kids are safe.
After the academic time comes my favorite, play time! Sometimes we are inside and today we got to go outside and run around with the kids which was fun. Then comes shower time, the four year olds can do it by themselves and I help them get dressed afterwards. Finally it's off to lunch where we help serve the kids (and yes 65 2-4 year olds eating spaghetti looks exactly how you would expect it to look!) Then it's down for a nap for the kids and back to the homebase for us - not bad for a days work - although I'm not quitting my day job, I think I'll keep my high school kids!