During my time at IPS Newcomer on Wednesday, I decided to go early since I had got out of my class early. I went from 11:30-2pm this time. Even though, its only by 30 minutes of extra time I got to meet students I hadn’t met before. It was still an english course but the students were younger as well as, many of them needed a translator in the class since they were not familiar with english at all. Since my Spanish is not the very best I really couldn’t help a lot but I observed how the two teachers worked together to make sure the students understood the directions. Once that class ended I went back to Mr. Gaunce and stayed in there during my normal timeframe. After the bell rang, Mr. G talked about the #redfored since the students didn’t have to attend school on that Tuesday. Mr. G said how many people showed and how wonderful it was to see that much support for Indiana teachers. Then he turned to the material from last week which was over Julia Alvarez but this time students were instructed to write an essay over the article on their own. He gave the students 20 minutes to write the paper and then turn it in. Once they were finished they were able to talk about Thanksgiving since it was approaching. The students of course got excited because its a day where they don’t have to go to school. I also was excited because who isn’t when you get a break.
Once english class was finished the next period was Math Advisory. I was thinking they would still be doing volume since that has been the focus the past couple weeks but they just changed it to Area… Which you would think its easy but for them the formula for area is very similar to volume. Therefore, on my part explaining area to them was just as difficult when it came to volume. Anyways, I was able to teach at least one student how to calculate area even if it was just that one student.
As the semester is nearing the end, I have really enjoyed my time at IPS Newcomer. Even though this course was for a credit I wouldn’t mind coming back just to help the students and stay involved with the community around Butler. At first I thought this wouldn’t connect at all to China or Islam, but I was thinking to literally. Many cultures connect not just based on whether its religion or traditions, in the IPS Newcomer many students struggled with education, culture shock, as well as, with the language barrier. Anyone who is placed into an environment that is unlike their own will go through struggles and challenges to adjust to their new life, wherever they settle. Although, it didn’t directly tie to those who originate from Islam or China, similarities in struggles can tie the cultures together.