The month of May brought Mother’s Day gift-making, a Family Fun day and Cultural week at the Lar, and many more activities in English class time.
My students decorated cards and made potpourri sachets for their mom’s for Mother’s day, which had my room smelling lovely.
Gift making at Vila Andrade
Cultural Week
The Lar Project had a Cultural week, which involved learning music and dances specific or imported to Brazil, such as Samba, Axe’, Hip Hop, Reggae and Capoiera. Each of the classes then presented on the dance they learned about.
Reggae
Samba
This boy is partially blind, but he learned to count the steps and did a Samba routine duet; he and his partner got a standing ovation! It was so sweet! 
Learning with puzzles, games and puppets
When we finish the ‘hard learning’ my students get a break for learning with puzzles and games and other fun activities in my classrooms.
Learning with puppets
Vila Andrade students playing a game learning Shapes.
Student Life
One of my dear, sweet students moved away, which was very sad. I gave her one of the Disney English learning kits I had received as a going-away present! She will be missed!
Local college students visit
I had two local college students who speak English come one afternoon to the Lar for a volunteer day and they participated in one of the younger classes where I give an English class, and spoke to some of my other students about the importance of learning English.
Lar Family Fun Day!
This year rather than having a separate event for mom’s, the directors and staff at the Lar decided to have a family fun day, with activities for everyone. In the morning, the classes presented the dances they had learned during the Cultural week, and my English students were the grand finale, singing two songs in English – the ABC rockin’ tune and Hallelu! After lunch, there were a number of activities to choose from. Family portraits were taken, the kids had play activities, the dad’s and son’s played soccer games, free haircuts were offered, and jewelry and craft making were available for the mom’s. With cotton candy, popcorn and face painting to boot, the day was a huge success!
My English students singing
face (or arm) painting
Family portrait studio
the mechanical bull ride (and I liked this guy’s hat!)
Two of my students getting free haircuts
making crafts with recycled products
dad’s and son’s soccer games and fitness class for mom’s and daughters
Some of my students and their families
The Reggae sisters had fun!
