Learning More and More Everyday

  We had another school visit this morning. It was a lot of fun and very insightful. The first part of our time there was spent observing a class. I was observing a 4th grade classroom. It was interesting to see the different dynamic between the students and the teacher. The teacher was very personable and the students were excited to see him and be in the class. As soon as he began teaching, I saw why. He didn't just stand at the front of the classroom and lecture the whole time. He let the kids provide feedback and have discussion about what they were learning. He let the students guide the class, but he had control of the classroom at the same time. It was refreshing to see.
  Another observation I have made about the education here in Costa Rica has been the difference between the level of English proficiency among the students in the private school and public schools. I have a new host family for my time in Monteverde. They have one little girl who is 9 years old and attends a private school. She is nearly fluent in English and can hold a conversation with me with no problem. In contrast, with my family in Heredia they also had a girl who was 12. She attends a public school and takes English classes as well, but she could only say a handful of basic words. I thought that this was really interesting and really showed a bug difference between the private schools and public schools in Costa Rica.
  Yesterday morning we went to Trapiche Farm, which is just right up the road from where we all live. They had a lot on sustainability. I wish I had know before hand, I would have gone more prepared. They had recycling bins everywhere and signs reminding people to turn lights off when they left the room. They also talked about how they do not use any pesticides or chemicals on their plants or crops. Everything that they use is organic and natural. Our guide told us that he didn't know if that was true for all farms in Costa Rica, but it is something that is very important to them and is something that they take great pride in.
   I hope that when we go to the Cloud Forest school next week, I can arrange to talk with someone while I'm there. The Cloud Forest school is known for being the "green school". Sustainability is one of their main focuses. I would really love to have the opportunity to meet with someone and maybe have a short interview. It would be a great source for my Inquiry Project.

Sorting Out/Going Further...
  I have been able to answer a few of my questions that I had initially since being in Costa Rica. I have been able to answer these by observing the people and environment around me. One question I had was "Do the people in Costa Rica see "going green" as something that is important?" Through careful observation, I have concluded that it is definitely something that is important to them. Everyone has eco friendly lightbulbs and is very conscientious of turning off their lights. They don't let anything go to waste either.
  At this stage of my project I am feeling confident about my findings. I am eager to learn more, but so far there has been no discrepancies in my findings, everything is matching up.
  I am excited to visit the Cloud Forest school next week because I think I will be able to get a lot of good information from that visit.
  I have also decided to organize my project differently. Originally I was just going to compare and contrast sustainability between Costa Rica and the States. Now, I have decided that I am going to compare and contrast Heredia, Monteverde, and the States. I have found that there is also a big difference in sustainability between Heredia and Monteverde that I didn't expect.

Pura Vida!