Monday, May 30, 2011

After school at El Sol today, we went to FAP for another session of teaching English. Since we again had a different classroom, we used our same lesson on foods and holidays. It was a bit difficult to teach as I felt Kris somewhat monopolized the classroom. But she warned us before that this might happen so I was quick to interrupt and throw my two senses in. She explained to the class about how controversial Thanksgiving is because of how the Native Americans were slaughtered. She told them many people in America don’t celebrate Thanksgiving because of this. I felt this was a bit off topic and quite incorrect. I don’t know a single person who doesn’t celebrate Thanksgiving. I let it slide, though. After teaching, we had a history lecture about the emancipation and independence of Peru. Jose de San Martin proclaimed Peru’s independence in 1821, but after a rough encounter with Simon Bolivar, fled the country. Bolivar’s presence made sure Peru gained independence in 1824. After breaking from Spain, there were several different transitional governments, regimes and presidents. My favorite part of the lecture was sitting with a group of students that were whispering me the answers and forcibly raising my hand. I really do love the students at FAP.