Monday...
Today when I arrived at the school, I was told that I'd be in a year 5 class. The morning consisted of running around trying to figure out plans, getting Success Criteria and sheets photocopied, and ensuring I could actually teach what was in the plan. I had to do a quick refresher course on fractions but don't worry, I was able to jump into the English lesson (discussing their favourite book).The year 5 class was rewarding in the sense that I got to talk with them in a more mature way and also see them really sink their teeth into the maths and english lessons. But I found it tough because it's not an age group I really thrive with. I had a little issue with the computer today. Mostly because all the teachers at this school have laptops and they take their computers with them when they have planning, etc. Mostly, it means I'm forced to go back to basics with my teaching, though that is hard sometimes due to the fact that all the lesson plans are on the computer. The TA was amazingly supportive (as I 'm finding most are!) and she helped me! However, in the afternoon I was on my own but, with the help, of the other year 5 teacher, we survived! As I was without a computer, what e ended up having to do was have the class I was in join her class for the "topic" lesson (which happened to be based on the Anglo Saxons). Overall, it was an alright day. I survived year 5!
Tuesday...
Arrived at school to discover I was back in the same class. It was good because I somewhat knew what I was getting into and was able to carry on from the work of the day before. This time in maths we were talking about adding fractions, both equivalent and not. I enjoyed teaching that to the students. Funny that as a student, myself, I did not thrive in maths, and now it might be my favourite subject to teach. At lunch, I was surprised by the Tech staff as they presented me with a laptop! So, now not only do I have my own marking pen, a lanyard with nametag, I also have my own school computer (and email!)! This is awesome! I realized, later, however it's not SO awesome as I have to carry it with me for the walk to and from school WITH my regular school bag. Perhaps I'll leave it, when I can, in the year 3 room. Not much to report on today. At the end of the day, we played a few rounds of heads down, thumbs up ( or as I call it "Heads up, 7 up). When I got home tonight, I was told that we were going back to our old stomping grounds of Ocean Village. Maggie had a date, and in our usual fashion, the rest of us would be there to "spy". Though, really, we were off in our own area chatting and enjoying. It was a good night at P &P (our local classy pub before we moved). Hannah and Alex ended up going out after P &P as well. But I had to hit the hay as I was pooped. Luckily, tomorrow morning will be fairly relaxed as it's a planning morning.!
Wednesday...
Before we can launch into the planning, first the classes sort themselves into boys and girls and the boys change in our classroom. They're usually chatty and take forever.. But such is year 3 life. Then, what must happen is a Guided Reading Session. I enjoy this as it allows me to read with a small group of students and sometimes we chat a little bit about the topic they're reading about. Once they've all dispersed for P.E. It's quiet time for the adults.. The first bit of time is spent as Helen says doing the "bits and bobs". haha It really does accurately describe what they do. Just the little tasks that need to get done. In the afternoon, after a planning morning (during which I was asked to plan one English lesson.. Quite a nerve racking experience as it wasn't just me that would be teaching the lesson.) I was in a year 2 class. I also discovered that Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and 2) runs on a slightly different schedule. So while year 3 lunch ends at 1, year 2 lunch ends at 12:40, so I lost some of my lunch time!! Oh well. In the afternoon with them, we were using the context of the Great Fire of London as a means of discussing materials houses are built out of and why the fire spread so quickly. I quite enjoyed working with them and also reading a bit of "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" to them. After the teacher returning and we were marking together once the kids had left, we got chatting. I found out she's been at this school for 5 years and she's about 25. Great now I feel very behind with my life!
Thursday...
Back in my year 3 class. I introduced Division to this so last night I was looking for ways to do this. I'm excited to get back into the regular classroom and have an interactive smart board with activities to do with them! I really want to take advantage of this technology! Thursdays also mean.. music lesson. My class was really good and they listened quite well. It was the second year 3 class that was not listening. Frustrating in that aspect because I was excited to get into this "music plan". I say that in air quotes as really WHO am I to teach music? I'm So not qualified for this... The plan I found online is called "Mood and Movies" it basically looks at how a movie score makes us feel during a movie. The first lesson had us look at a few different soundtracks at key points in movie. In specific, the class will be looking at the "Finding Nemo" soundtrack. The end goal is to make a piece of music for about 10 seconds of film clip in the movie. The lesson plan works for 6 weeks which will take us right up to Christmas. However, since I'll be leaving a week early to go home, I will either leave the presentation of the musical pieces for the supply.. Or maybe with all the chaos of Christmas Holiday, they might present it the week before.. Who knows? I had a good joking moment with my class at we came back together at the end of the day. When we switched classes, the others didn't realize they'd need a pencil so I had my class leave theirs but they worried that their's wouldn't be returned. I promised them they would be and had a few helpers return all the pencil cases back to the owners. I jokingly said my class "see, I told you I'd return them." and someone piped up, " yeah, but you didn't do it, you had someone else do it!" hahah Very true...
Friday...
TGIF. Today went well. Not much to report on. I was teaching Science this afternoon and for a bit the kids were allowed to have free time with the magnets. I worried that if they didn't have a focus, they might get so riled up so Liz helped me come up with having them find things that attracted and repelled. They really enjoyed it!! Not much to report on other than that... I was reminded of the 5 pm closing time at 4:40 today rather than 4:55. It allowed me more time to pack up, etc! Less rushed!
This evening, I enjoyed watching "Anastasia" with Liz. Finally, I can place the song " In the Dark of the Night Evil Will Find Her..." Haunting memories of Tyler singing that to us in the dark at Camp Adelaide!
At 7:30, we decided we needed to do something so we went out! Started at the Lime Bar with a drink, met the bar tender who wants to travel to Ontario and go to Western! Then we went on to a bar that had karaoke! That was fun! Hannah and Liz sang "Summer Lovin'" and then Liz and I sang " You're so Vain". It was very much an older man bar.. We ended up making "friends" with a few older men who kept chatting us up. AND with a man who mustve been in his late 70s and LOVED the karaoke scene! It was actually an interesting night made better by the fact tat we stopped for kebabs, and burgers on the way home. Delish! Once home at shortly after 1, I had a short chat with my family at home. Good friday night!!
Saturday...
Not much to say about today. It was quite the lazy door. I ran out to the store to grab a few things, among them dish detergent! I also began to task or organizing my desk and trying to sort through things. In the end, watched lots of "Scrubs" and a "Friday Night Lights" (among other shows) with the girls. For a saturday, and a weekend, I feel I should have more to write. But really, it was a low key day. Not something I like to always do (I want to take in culture, and fact that I'm in a different country!) but it was a good time this weekend.
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