CHRISTMAS BREAK IS HERE!

Finally.  I am officially on Christmas break.  I have to give a big shout out to the Ministery of Education for making this Christmas break 19 days long.  I'm sure plenty of relaxing and traveling will occur. 

As for Christmas things:

1.) I joined the 5th and 6th graders in a field trip to the city's theater this past Wednesday.  Just to make everyone aware, field trips in Spain differ greatly from the ones in New Jersey.  There is no big yellow bus.  As mentioned, the students walk or drive to school so there aren't any buses around to even use (that I am aware of.)  So imagine a group of about 50 students just walking the streets of Priego.  Yea, I couldn't imagine it either until I partook in the walking.  Keep in mind, we were walking down streets where there were cars driving.  Only a little bit chaotic. 

2.) The students were heading to the Theater to perform a song.  Other local schools were doing the same thing.  It was a very nice event.  I even got to join them on stage and sing the song too.

3.) Our Christmas doors were finally finished yesterday.

                                                                       5th Grade

 1st Grade

 3rd Grade

 2nd Grade

4.) The school's nativity scene was also completed yesterday with last minute finishing touches.  While we were enjoying our seven hour long lunch, a person came around to judge the display.  It is a competition open to the public of Priego and there are prizes.  Turns out, our school's Nativity Scene won First Place!!

The entire thing is made out of letters.  The dessert sand is alphabet pasta.  The palm trees are cut up pages from books.  The water is filled with cut out letters.  Mary, Joseph, and Jesus sit on top of the bible.  The animals, three kings, and the angel are made out of books.  The pictures don't do it justice.  But the concept is very creative.

5.) Today at school, the students performed for their parents Christmas songs they've been practicing for the last month.  The event was a nice way to end school before winter break.  And unlike American schools where Santa makes an appearance, they instead had the Three Kings show up and pass out presents.  Very different, but same concept more or less.

 All of the 1st graders were dressed as Christmas Trees!

Hope all of my fellow teachers, both in Spain and the United States, are enjoying their winter break as well!