Similarities and Differences

Throughout the semester I have noted a variety of similarities and differences between my experiences at Carlos Aguilar, my own experiences in the US education system, and what I observed in my P1 and have highlighted 2 similarities and 2 differences to share.

One difference I have noticed in comparison to schools in the US is that the whole class of 26 students is always taught at the same time. There is not enough space or support in the classroom to break into groups or centers like you would find in many US Kindergarten or 1^st grade classrooms. I have had to experience this phenomenon when teaching English to the students every Tuesday and Thursday. It definitely made me appreciate the ability in many US classrooms to break the students apart and have them working on different activities, in groups, individually, or in pairs. This is not a system that would be able to function very well in my classroom in Ecuador, however I think it would be very beneficial to the students to learn to work together and develop self-monitoring skills that the majority of the students in my class do not have.

Another difference I have found among many, are that these students are about 5 years old but are in 1^st grade when in the US they would normally be placed in Kindergarten. However, from what I have observed the days I have been at Carlos Aguilar the students have had minimal instruction on numbers or the alphabet and in the US this instruction would have begun by now. Much of their work is focused on motor skill development. I have observed activities where students much rip paper into strips in order to outline the 4 sides of a square when they were learning about that shape. I have also seen the students having to hold a crayon correctly to follow a dotted line to draw a continuous horizontal or vertical line. Although I only attend Carlos Aguilar 2 times a week, if a main focus was being put on preparing the students to read, I think I would have seen more evidence of that in the days I attend.

One aspect of the teaching practices that is similar is the creativity on the part of the teacher to teach the material. I have seen my CT implement sensory, drawing, singing, repeating, worksheet, and many more methods of activities in the classroom. I have also found this in the US and think it is very important for students, especially at such a young age to be introduced to many different styles of learning and this variety helps to keep the students engaged. I have also made an effort to do this during my lessons from week to week.

Another similarity is the collaboration between teachers. Throughout any given morning, the vice principal, other 1^st grade teachers, and other professionals may enter the classroom to speak to my CT. Many times when another 1^st grade teacher comes to our room it is to talk about materials they need, an event happening at the school, or other professional work required. I have seen the teachers helping one another prepare materials or lending activities to other teachers as well. I think this demonstrates the sense of community at Carlos Aguilar that I think is present in many US schools, for example through teacher mentors.

From what I have observed and experienced, I believe there to be more differences than similarities over this semester of teaching abroad, however I think that each school is working with the environment, space, materials, requirements, and culture that surrounds them and therefore neither is necessarily “better” than the other. I think the teachers at Carlos Aguilar must work harder seeing that there is minimal to no system of para-educators or assistants in the classroom, there is a lack of technology in the school, and a lack of space in the classroom that makes student grouping and movement more restricted.