Normally, the first week of summer we are welcoming Americans into Letovice and launching a week of LetFest. With the current travel restrictions, we knew it wouldn't be possible for the American Team to join us this year, but we still wanted to have an outreach camp for the kids. We created a two week day-camp called City Camp. First week had the option of Sports and English (ages 5-9) and second week had English (ages 10-14). The kids arrived each day around 8am, and we filled the morning with Greeting Introductions and English/Sports. After lunch, we had a short rest-time and then jumped into afternoon workshops until 4pm. At 4pm, the kids would go home and we'd start getting ready for the next day activities.
In the class, there were only three kids who I didn't know at all at the start of the week and six students who were regular students of mine during the year. It helped that my wonderful translator agreed to translate for the kids the first week also so the kids easily transitioned into City Camp! The week went smoothly thanks to a great translator, helpers, and, of course, the super kids.
It was so fun with these kids, and I loved teaching English for two weeks! During the first week, I think I was asked 10 times each hour what we would do next as the little kids were looking forward to the upcoming activities and all wanted to know what we would play and how to play the game. I was constantly saying, "don't worry, I promise I will explain the game before we start to play!" The leaders and I couldn't stop laughing during the week because these little kids would say the funniest things! I was so glad I wrote down each day one funny quote from the kids - enjoy them also!
English Class - Week 1
Day 1:
Child: "When will we play on 'Nerves'?"
Me and another leader: "You mean 'Nerf'?"
Child: "Sure, when will we play on 'Nerves'?"
Me and another leader (to each other): "I think we might already be playing..." ;)
During the week of English Class, we had the theme "Let's Go on a Trip!" Throughout the week, we talked about different words we'd need to know when traveling, and day one was how to introduce ourselves in English. We played many games and began creating our "suitcases" - decorated folders with handles - where the students kept all their papers and crafts from the week.
Everyone loved Nerf! The boys, the girls, and especially the leaders!
Day 2:
Child: "Do you know you aren't using correct Czech grammar?"
Me: "Yeah, I'm American. I'm still learning Czech. Sometimes I still get the grammar wrong."
Child: "Oh! That's why you're so good at English!"
Me (thinking): Well, end of Day 2... we're making good progress.
On the second day, we talked about who we will bring on a trip and practiced family vocabulary. A few of my students come from really large families. (One of my students has 6 siblings!) While some of the kids were coloring their paper dolls front and back, others asked if they could chose who from their family they wanted to go on a trip with and who could stay home! One student creative drew his baby brother at the feet of his mother on the paper doll.
Day 3:
Me: *scrolling through pictures from the morning during rest-time.*
Child (looking over my shoulder): "That's not a good picture."
Me: "What?! I think it's good. Why don't you think so?"
Child: "I'm not in it."
Me: *takes selfie with child* "Better?"
Child: "Yeah, now THAT'S a good picture."
On Day 3, we talked about what we'd pack in our suitcases when we go traveling. My translator knows how much I love to read, though he doesn't have the same reaction to books. When I told the kids that it was important that we pack books in our suitcases on a trip he smiled and shook his head, cleverly changing the translation slightly to "Kendra believes books are very important to pack." When another leader came at the end of the class, I had him "test" the kids on their new vocabulary. When he asked what is something they always remember to bring on a trip, my students all responded "Book!" My translator rolled his eyes and smiled knowing I had convinced the kids, and I applauded and praised my talented students.
Hopscotch with Vocabulary Words
We were all excited for story-time
Day 4:
Playing hopping Rock/Paper/Scissors - children hop from opposite directions to meet their opponent when they reach mats next to each other.
Child 1: *meets opponent at mat. Moves back one mat.*
Child 2: *moves ahead one mat*
Child 1: *moves back one mat*
Child 2: *moves ahead one mat*
Child 1: "Stop that! I just don't like how little I am next to you! I'm not giving you free mats!"
Child 2: *shrugs and moves back*
Child 1: *stands on tip-toes and lifts her chin up* "Okay, I'm ready now."
On Day 4, we talked about how we get to our destination and practiced different transportation vocabulary. We enjoyed silly songs this day and lots of movement activities.
We just finished watching a recap video one of the leaders had put together for the week. One small boy walked past me and another leader, he wasn't talking to us, just talking aloud, and he said, "wow... I'm really good movie star."
On Day 5, we discussed what we will do on our trip. The students created pictures of characters resting, eating, swimming, hiking, shopping, and sight-seeing. They were so happy to finally bring all their projects home! One mom told me that her kids were playing "airport" at home during the week and pretending to be flight attendants who spoke English. I was happy to hear that the kids were taking what they had learned during the week and playing at home too!
Showing off their suitcases
End of Week 1 - English and Sports together
My Video from Week 1 (more videos on Elim Youtube Channel)
Week Two of City Camp was with the older kids at English Class. We had a mix of kids from Letovice, Boskovice, and surrounding villages. It was fun to see how they all worked together and made new friends throughout the week. I had two wonderful youth students come to translate for this group, and on the first day they exceeded translating and began truly teaching! They'd encourage some of the kids to try translating for the group and guide them along with the right words. Halfway through the week, these translators came to me with a list of the names of my students, and they had marked the names of the students that they think could try translating more. I loved seeing my youth leaders invest in these kids. This group continued to say and do little things that just warmed my heart. I included some of these moments for you to read about too!
For the second week, we had the theme "Mystery," and I started the week telling the kids that there was special chocolate I had bought for them, but that it was no longer on my desk! Throughout the week, we asked our suspects - the other leaders of Elim - questions with Who? What? When? Where? and Why? It was fun seeing the students create their own conclusions, and I was happy the leaders played along. On Friday, I "found the chocolates" that had fallen behind my desk!
Heart Moment:
Talking with the youngest student in the class.
Student: "I don't know if I'll really remember anything new I learned today in English Class, but already after day one, I feel more confident in English!"
Me (amazed): "That is the whole reason I teach this class. To build confidence. You figured it out on the first day, and you're the youngest one here!"
Spiderweb is good for all ages :)
Heart Moment:
Talking with a student who I hadn't met before this week.
Student: "I didn't think learning English could be so much fun! At school, class drags on, but for hours here we just play games and talk in English, and it's already going by too fast."
With the question of the day being "what?", we played many guessing games to guess what objects were zoomed in on pictures and what was inside paper bags. Each morning before English Class started, we had a short 5-minute testimony time from each of the leaders and helpers about how we all started coming to Elim and how we have grown since starting at Elim. By the end of the week, I had a few kids asking me how they can also become leaders!
Heart Moment:
In one of the games, the students had to answer the question "When are you happy?" One student responded simply, "Now."
These students were exceptionally good at the rhymes and songs I had for them during the week! I'd teach the rhyme once and they'd get it and all say it loudly! I was so happy because in past classes I have had to really encourage them to say the poems in a loud voice, but this group caught on really fast.
Heart Moment:
In one game, the students needed to answer the question "Where do you like to spend time?" One student answered simply, "Here."
Bumperballs was a favorite workshop activity! I had fun joining in with these kids too. I think they mostly liked rolling around in the bumperballs on the mats rather than fighting each other.
Heart Moment:
At the end of camp, we explained to the kids that next year we are planning LetFest again and that we hope they are looking forward to a great week that is even more fun! One of the students asked, "How could something be even MORE fun?!"
Both weeks were so much fun (and a lot of work!). Each week was so different, and I was very happy with the result of both of the weeks. I'm glad I had the opportunity to teach both this summer.
My Video from Week 2 (more videos on Elim YouTube Channel)