Welcome to our Blog
The loveliest visit.
Really often we get visitors that can fill the whole school with light; a few weeks ago we got the visit of maestra Caro, a peaceful soul that shared great moments with everybody at Escuela Caracol, Specially with the kindergarten group. Thank you dear Caro for sharing your light with us, we hope to have you back here soon. You will remain in our minds and hearts as a special part of our family at Escuela... read more
Together we can do so much more.
During February, Escuela Caracol was benefited by incredible activities organized by two of the best-knowed ventures of San Marcos la Laguna, Hostel del Lago, and Shangri-La. Bryan and Sarah are the owners of the project that has one of the best views of the lake; their dock is perfect for meditating or just for contemplating the natural beauties of the region; they also offer yoga lessons, sauna service and a restaurant that includes an exquisite selection of Guatemalan dishes on their menu. Bryan and Sarah are always looking for ways to contribute to the community of San Marcos la Laguna. On February the 2nd, Hostel del Lago celebrated their eight-anniversary providing comfortable hosting at great prices for the tourists of Lake Atitlán. They had an amazing and fun fundraising party that gave all the incomes from entrance fees and a percentage of the sells from the “mercadito” hosted during the journey as a donation for Escuela Caracol. On the 23rd, one of the most successful artistic festivals of Atitlán took place at Shangri-La farm. Tim and Osnart, Shangri-La owners, are the parents of one of our loveliest “caracolitos” from kindergarten and have been amazing contributors with the school for a long time. They have hosted the “Harvest Festival” for the last five years, an activity that has kept growing, becoming one of the “must” on the calendar of social activities at San Marcos la Laguna. They decided to donate a percentage of all the incomes from this year’s edition to our school. Shangri-La produces one of the best coffee blends from the region, so, If you ever visit San... read more
Everybody is well nurtured at Escuela Caracol:
Every day, with a huge smile and both hands filled with love, Teresa prepares the meals to feed students and personnel from Escuela Caracol, always paying special attention to what each of the students need, especially, to the nutritional facts of the meals, so they can fill our “caracolitos” of all the energy they need to fulfill an intense journey packed with joy, games, and learnings. Teresa doesn’t work alone, she is always accompanied by Betty, her right hand on the kitchen and constant support for Escuela Caracol. In a country where malnutrition is one of the fundamental problems that limit children development, having a daily nutritional snack means that all of our students, no matter the background or socioeconómicas condition, have more opportunities of developing as fulfilled human beings. The daily snack given to all of our students is free of charge, we can accomplish this thanks to the donations and constant support of a group of friends of Escuela Caracol; Our students eat lunch at school four days a week, for those who cannot take their meal from home, Escuela Caracol supplies a nutritional lunch at a low cost that represents only the amount the school invests on the ingredients needed to prepare each plate. Thanks, Teresa for doing such a great job by preparing such delicious... read more
When we learned how shadows can tell the time.
There is no better way to learn than by making and doing. Our teachers have that concept in mind every time they get ready to teach a lesson. Recently our third graders made an experiment with a small branch and a bunch of stones, they had to stand the piece of wood using nothing but the rocks; after that, they had to make a mark with chalk on the floor, right where the shadow was. What a surprise they had when returning after an hour and seeing the shadows had moved. Now they have a nice story to tell to their grandchildren, from when they learned how to make a clock with nothing but a branch, some rocks, and the... read more
A wonderful visit from a great artist.
During the third week of February, our students received an enriching visit from the talented sculptor Terrence Rooney. He came from the United States to share a little of his creative ability with each of the elementary groups. Fourth, fifth and sixth grades participated from the modeling workshops where they learned how to handle mud, clay, paper mache and salt dough. This is how we seek to form our “caracolitos”, nourishing their head, heart and hands in each of the activities... read more
The “jocote” is flowering again.
Mother Nature has its own ways of letting us know when the time to be reborn has come. Our beautiful “jocote” trees are flowering again, getting ready for the red, yellow and crown mombin harvest that will happen a few months from now. These delicious fruits will accompany our community during the “Jocote Festival” in... read more
Kindergarten students cooked delicious “tamalitos de chipilín”
Our kindergarten students had great moments while making “tamalitos de chipilín”; following teacher’s directions, the students mixed, shaped and wrapped this delicious Guatemalan traditional dish. Cooking is one of the main activities for the kindergarten groups at a Escuela Caracol, it helps students develop self-confidence and their will, as well as their psycho-motor and social... read more
Children enjoying math class?
One of the biggest concerns of parents when sending their children to school is whether they are going to learn what they need to overcome all the difficulties that life can place on their path as adults or not. The biggest concern of children is having a boring and difficult experience while learning. At Escuela Caracol, we work towards forming students through three main dimensions, the head (academical knowledge), the heart (the human part of the child), and the hands (their ability to create and express through making and doing). On each and every lesson, our teachers do their best to apply all the tools and techniques they have on hand to make the learning experience complete and fun, so children can feel the joy of learning; all of these without leaving the academic content aside. We want our students to feel the joy of learning. Our teachers, through Waldorf Pedagogy, encourage students to enjoy the whole learning process. We want to share with you a short video where the fifth-grade titular teacher, Carmen Alvarado, explains a brief exercise used on the elementary level at Escuela Caracol to teach math (Spanish). Enjoy, share,... read more
Building model scale houses.
Following the construction of shelters that marked the beginning of the block, the third graders learned how mud-bricks are made and the basics of how constructions are done, all this by building scale houses. Teacher Ervin guided the whole process; the students begun by making the bricks, being really careful they shaped one by one those that, a few moments later, would form the tiny houses’ walls. The children had a great time playing the role of builders and engineers while learning. This kind of activities help teacher nurture the heads, hearts and hands of students by letting them understand the world, feel useful and capable of doing great... read more
First day at the garden
Our first grade caracolitos had their first day at the garden. Following their gardening teacher’s directions they learned how to prepare the soil, water the plants, recognize the plants, among many other incredible things. Being in touch with nature through gardening lets the students develop respect and love for nature. They also learn about responsibility, each of the students is in charge of a specific chore and of the tools needed to perform it. While working on the garden, children learn directly from our gardening teacher, Santiago, he teaches them through the use of tales and stories, anecdotes and direct instructions. Every time the go to gardening class, children have the chance to work their brain, by knowing new terms and developing their motor skills; their hands, by performing all the physical tasks required in a garden: and their heart, by getting in touch with... read more
First day in elementary.
In a magical activity, first grade students were welcomed to their first day in elementary. Followed by their parents, each of the students passed across a welcoming tunnel made of older students and the elementary teachers. After that, a special moment happened. Parents left their children at the door of their new classroom to be welcomed by their teacher, Sonia. This was, without a doubt, a moment they won’t forget for the rest of their... read more
Finding Balance.
By Carmen María Alvarado / fifth grade teacher. To keep a bamboo stick over the head and walking without dropping it is a balance exercise we all should do at least once a day. Performing every day a balance exercise helps students from many different perspectives; for example, they achieve full concentration and have the chance to find themselves. While performing this type of balance, children must ignore all external influence and find the silence inside themselves, an approach to their “own self”. This exercise helps by providing calmness to the group, it also finishes the rhythm and movement parts the quietest way possible before the cognitive part of the journey... read more
Here we go again!
After the holiday break, students and staff came back to school. With deep happiness we contemplate how the trails and classrooms get filled with energy and happiness through the laughter and movement of our students. The first day of classes went by normally, school’s new students easily adapted to their groups and teachers couldn’t hide the joy of having their caracolitos back. 2019 will be a year of growth and success to all of us, here, at Escuela... read more
A Magical Shelter
As part of this year’s first block, third graders learned about using and building shelters in the wild. Using materials gathered in the gardens, our Caracolitos built two shelters with branches, flowers and leaves they found on the trails of our school. Having their teachers guide as a reference, our students built the structures to fit a few students inside. As a special detail, boys and girls decorated their shelters with flowers and leaves, giving the structures a more warm and homelike feeling. The stories the gardening teacher, Santiago, told them about the way bees and ants work, gave them inspiration to work as a team. Our Caracolitos had a great time while learning about construction and basic survival techniques. Now and for a few weeks on, third grade students will have a small place that can become a fortress, a castle, a house or a school, where all their dreams can become real through the... read more
Escuela Caracol, school year 2019.
Recently, with the help and coordination of all grade teachers, the students photoshoot took place. We took an image for each of the groups as well as one with all the students and staff of Escuela Caracol. We are thrilled to see how, year after year, Caracol family keeps growing. We want to share with you the final shots. Grupo de estudiantes y personal, ciclo 2019. Grupo de estudiantes y maestras de kinder para el ciclo escolar 2019 Primero primaria, ciclo 2019. Segundo primaria, ciclo 2019. Tercero primaria, ciclo 2019. Cuarto primaria, ciclo 2019. Quinto primaria, ciclo 2019. Sexto primaria, ciclo 2019.... read more
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