November 8th

Today's lesson was especially interesting and fun because we had more peer teachings than usual. However, I think I'd better focus on one or two things only, otherwise this post will grow too much.
To begin with, we had a singing activity that was--I'm not gonna lie--pretty awkward at first, because most of us aren't used to singing in the classroom.

And this is the song!

I know it is for little children but I also know that a class of 20-odd year olds enjoyed singing row row row your boat together. 

So basically, we were explained that singing helps you relax and fight stress. Besides, I'd say that since you're forced to be more aware of your breathing while you're singing, it should help with oxygenation. In that sense, it is super useful for us as (pre-service) teachers because we make our lungs work and become stronger while at the same time we practice voice projection.

Another thing that someone mentioned in the lesson (or maybe I read it somewhere, I don't quite remember) is that singing in groups helps with the group dynamics, so perhaps it would be nice to do something like this with my future students in order to build a stronger sense of community.

Now, the second activity that I'd like to mention was a peer teaching. One of our classmates guided these Qigong movements and told us that he had successfully done it with his high-school students during intermediate practicum.

This is something that I was already considering when we had this lesson; I was looking for something like this to use at the beginning of some of my lessons during final practicum because I know that students sometimes need to move a little, to breathe better, and to have routines. For those reasons I'd like to implement something like this every other lesson when I'm teaching. 

And my classmate kindly shared the video with me afterwards so if you're reading this, thank you Juan Pablo!!

What I like about both activities is that they provide useful instances for both teachers and students to become healthier, so it is a win win situation, isn't it? And sure, maybe the students are going to look at me like I'm nuts when I start with the Qigong but maybe they will like it and find it useful in the end, and that's what really matters.