The best and worst time of year has arrived. Of course the holiday season is one of the best times out of the entire year; however, it can also be a teacher’s worst nightmare. You see, the amount of days left until Christmas vacation is directly proportional to kids’ behavior; as the time dwindles, the kids’ behavior becomes increasingly worse. Let me illustrate:
Each grade (after kindergarten) has prepared a Christmas carol in English to sing during the school’s teatro de navidad. Last week the first and second graders were practicing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” A simple song with three short lines. However, we could barely get through it as two girls hugged the whole time, Raul jumped up and down while screaming, some other kids danced and little Manolo escaped to the back of the classroom to take a nap under a desk. Yes, you read that correct, under a desk. Needless to say, recently I’ve left school with a strong need for an adult beverage (or two, but who’s counting?)
But I digress from the purpose of this post. While it might be a nightmare trying to get the kids to behave and focus on work, school can be generally more enjoyable because of the Christmas activities. Last week I taught each class about Christmas in the States, and touched on other religious holidays and New Years. They loved seeing pictures and video footage of Christmas trees, Santa Claus (pronounced Sahnta Clauww in Spain) and the various other traditions we have.
This week, after much preparation, was the school teatro de navidad (Christmas play). Each grade performed skits, mostly dealing with the nativity scene. My favorite skit was put on by the third and fourth graders, whose skit was about the Tres Reyes Magos. In Spain Santa Claw, or Papa Noel, is a relatively new addition to the Christmas holiday. Traditionally, Spanish Christmas is based off of the actual events of that night. So the Tres Reyes Magos bring children gifts, just as they did to baby Jesus on Christmas. And just like American kids, Spanish kids can go to malls to see the Tres Reyes Magos, take pictures and compile present wish lists.
During the teatro there was also a lot of music: belloncicos (Christmas carols) in English and in Spanish, even some with a flamenco flair. The older kids also played Jingle Bells on their recorders (remember that from elementary school??) Despite a few glitches, and teachers having to blatantly direct the younger children through the show, the teatro was excellent.
After school that day the staff went out for a celebratory holiday "lunch." Now I use the term "lunch" quite loosely here, as what came to pass was actually more along the lines of a never-ending holiday feast and festivities. Lunch, or NEHFAF, was held in a nice restaurant in the neighboring pueblo, Cambil. It began promptly at 3 o'clock with tapas, drinks and socializing at the bar. Next we journeyed to a round table to begin the first of at least a five course meal. That would not end for several hours. Although I had to leave for Berlin in 12 hours.
But I digress yet again. Besides the fact that this was the longest lunch I have ever seen, I found another cultural difference to be very interesting. After dinner, around 7, the lights dimmed and the music began to thump louder. They played all the popular discoteca hits: Maria, Maria, Manos al Aire and I Know You Want Me. This resulted in all the teachers getting up to show off their dance moves, with a unique Spanish flair: shaking their hips a little here, adding a little dash of flamenco there. Although I was beyond stressed with my looming trip and its preparations, I have to admit that this part of the dinner made me smile and remember to take it easy. After all, the holidays only come around once a year.
During the teatro there was also a lot of music: belloncicos (Christmas carols) in English and in Spanish, even some with a flamenco flair. The older kids also played Jingle Bells on their recorders (remember that from elementary school??) Despite a few glitches, and teachers having to blatantly direct the younger children through the show, the teatro was excellent.
El teatro de Navidad - SO cute!
After school that day the staff went out for a celebratory holiday "lunch." Now I use the term "lunch" quite loosely here, as what came to pass was actually more along the lines of a never-ending holiday feast and festivities. Lunch, or NEHFAF, was held in a nice restaurant in the neighboring pueblo, Cambil. It began promptly at 3 o'clock with tapas, drinks and socializing at the bar. Next we journeyed to a round table to begin the first of at least a five course meal. That would not end for several hours. Although I had to leave for Berlin in 12 hours.
But I digress yet again. Besides the fact that this was the longest lunch I have ever seen, I found another cultural difference to be very interesting. After dinner, around 7, the lights dimmed and the music began to thump louder. They played all the popular discoteca hits: Maria, Maria, Manos al Aire and I Know You Want Me. This resulted in all the teachers getting up to show off their dance moves, with a unique Spanish flair: shaking their hips a little here, adding a little dash of flamenco there. Although I was beyond stressed with my looming trip and its preparations, I have to admit that this part of the dinner made me smile and remember to take it easy. After all, the holidays only come around once a year.
The five hour lunch
Spanish people know how to have fun. This is my bilingual coordinator and the kindergarten teacher. Apparently, dancing flamenco is just in the blood. (Sorry the video is sideways...but slant your computer because it's definitely worth watching!)
belloncicos? que buena! xd
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