Last week I had a slow start with lots of research and planning. Towards the end of last week we in the programs department received a brief course on managing a classroom space, including setting up the environment, creating classroom norms and expectations and how to present to kids while maintaining their attention and interest. We also covered, more specifically, how that is accomplished reading a book. This week I got to put theory and planning to practice. Saturday, Arte Americas hosted another Bilingual Story-time event. While the reading went on, I observed the suggestions that we had learned in the training being applied effectively. Besides the usual set up process of the reading and activity spaces, this week there was also a projected video between spots that I helped with. I believe after what I learned this week I'm more than ready to host my own Storytime. 
Sunday, I returned to my research. I spent most of the day contacting other organizations in the area and developing questionnaires for those meetings. On Wednesday I began organizing for the reading. I created my personal classroom rules, printed copies of the activity and practiced reading the book and making the house. Then I had a meeting with one of the local organizations which granted me further understanding of the culture surrounding youth programs. On Thursday and Friday, we had gallery educator training on Arte's main temporary exhibit "Calle Docelles". We spent time learning about the project, where it came from, and how to lead tours for visitors of all ages. It turns out Calle Donceles is a famous street in Mexico City known for its stores full of used books. We learned about indigenous city of Tenochtitlan that resides in ruins beneath Mexico City. Arguably more important that knowing the content themselves is the gallery educator's ability to work the group. There is no point in sharing information in great detail if it isn't being absorbed. On day 1 we were assigned a homework of outlining a script to deliver at a point in the brief tour that takes students through Arte. The next day we practiced speaking our points at different stops, and the transitions between them. The worst part of this training was knowing that I will only have a couple weeks to put it to use. We also practiced directing the activity that goes with the tour. In this case it was a form of book binding. This week was full of fun activities and events that have kept me busy, and soon I'll be doing one of my own.
(Books from binding activity)
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