Last Saturday, my host family took me to the Blue Mountains. We did the ever-touristy Scenic World. You fly in a sky car from one peak to the next passing both the Three Sisters and Katoomba Falls (one attraction on each side). 3 minutes later you unload out of the car and have the option of hiking around to different spots. Now, mind you, my host dad, Keith, said he would be the bushman for the day. So....we didn't do too much hiking ;)
We then took the sky car back to the first peak where we boarded the cable rail to the bottom of the mountains. Yes, I have spent 2 days in real rain forest. The vines in this forest were incredible, and all over the place just like in the Tarzan movies.
Did I mention the cockatoos yet? They were all over the place. Cockatoos in flocks. I've never thought they lived like that...in the mountains... There's no way they enjoy being in itty bitty cages at the pet stores. And I saw a couple different parrot type birds. One with a red body and blue wings and then one with a red body, red wings, and blue head. And there were those green laurakets. AND, you can't forget the lyrebird. He's the father of the Three Sisters.
After the trek through the rain forest (on boardwalks of course), we rode the railway back to the top, which by the way, is the wrong way to take the rail car if you ever do chance to take it. Might I suggest that instead of taking the cable car to the bottom, take the railcar and save the cable car to come back up. If you ever make it out there, you will know why this is of upmost importance.
After buying some postcards for my needy friends back home ;) we headed off to Echo Point.
At Echo Point we did some more meandering around until we got to the Giant Stairs. Now, if it were earlier in the day perhaps we would've conquered the stairs and gone down to walk inside one of the Three Sisters. However, it was not earlier in the day, and we had been walking for hours. So the 2 hour trip to the room in the rocks was not really screaming our names quite as loudly as the cafe down the street.
We ended the day having dinner at home and planning my wedding.
I have to interrupt here to explain some important details I forgot along the way.
For lunch (afternoon tea), we ate at Scenic World where I continued my emersion experience by eating a meat pie.
While we were out hiking in the mountains I kept making comments to Rosie that she could get married in this or that spot. Her mom eventually picked up a flier about having weddings at the Blue Mountains. This was on the table when we all settled down for dinner.
And this is how the whole converation about my wedding began. Keith decided that I should get married in Australia because that way the Peterson's would be able to make it. The head master of the college was quickly appointed as the reader for the wedding. Keith eagerly hopped up to the plate for the minister. They thought it right that my mentor teacher, Geoff should be the best man. After the weekend was over I came in and informed the staff of stage 3 that my wedding was in the planning stages. Soon afterwards, both Year 5 teachers decided to be paige boy and bridesmaid and the other Year 6 teacher was appointed Matron of Honour. Anyway...it's all a bit irrelevant...seeing as how I am not engaged and probably won't be getting married in the Blue Mountains. Unless of course, my guests would kindly chip in $100 a piece to pay for the catering and drinks.
I'm at school right now waiting to leave around 5pm. I tried to help another teacher mark some spelling work but I was abruptly kicked out when I couldn't figure out what to do. Go figure. I know I'll be missed when I'm not here tomorrow.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Because I know you all are wondering
We had home baked bread today to go along with the tuna caserole for dinner. It was some sort of modified scone, very fluffy and soft, with bacon in it. It was fabulous. When I get my own place, I want to cook meals like this for myself because it just makes you feel fancy.
I forgot to mention...
Yesterday when I opened up my lunch there was a kiwi and out of my mouth escaped an enthusiastic "yes!" Steve, a year 5 teacher, looked at me in surprise. I then explained that I don't pack my lunch so it's always a surprise and I really do love kiwi.
He laughed.
The Year 5 teachers are awesome. And according to the Peterson's, they will be in my wedding. Which reminds me that I haven't posted anything on my previous weekend trip to the Blue Mountains. I'm still working on putting up photos. But don't worry...it's coming.
DIN!
He laughed.
The Year 5 teachers are awesome. And according to the Peterson's, they will be in my wedding. Which reminds me that I haven't posted anything on my previous weekend trip to the Blue Mountains. I'm still working on putting up photos. But don't worry...it's coming.
DIN!
Take Two
Alright...let's try this post again.
Today, as the students came back into the classroom after sport, I had the powerpoint up and ready to go. One student, we will call her Ann, came up to me and asked, "Did you make that powerpoint?" "Yes," I replied. She stuck out her hand and shook mine. "Well done!" I never knew powerpoints were so appreciated in schools! I think she made my day!
And then, there's the always present, almost-on-the-verge-of-trouble Mr. Andrews. I love this boy. He has never caused me any trouble. Nearly every time I come by his desk he has a new question to ask me about America or about something that he thinks is American. I quite enjoy him. It's student like him that I would love to have my classroom full of. He's never quite on task, but he always knows what to do. And he's full of energy. Teachers need to learn how to use that kind of stuff rather than discipline it.
That's all for now. It really is dinner time (tea). I can hear the plates being plated up. Yum. Oh boy oh boy. Believe me, you wish you were here!
Today, as the students came back into the classroom after sport, I had the powerpoint up and ready to go. One student, we will call her Ann, came up to me and asked, "Did you make that powerpoint?" "Yes," I replied. She stuck out her hand and shook mine. "Well done!" I never knew powerpoints were so appreciated in schools! I think she made my day!
And then, there's the always present, almost-on-the-verge-of-trouble Mr. Andrews. I love this boy. He has never caused me any trouble. Nearly every time I come by his desk he has a new question to ask me about America or about something that he thinks is American. I quite enjoy him. It's student like him that I would love to have my classroom full of. He's never quite on task, but he always knows what to do. And he's full of energy. Teachers need to learn how to use that kind of stuff rather than discipline it.
That's all for now. It really is dinner time (tea). I can hear the plates being plated up. Yum. Oh boy oh boy. Believe me, you wish you were here!
And sometimes you want to tell happy stories
Ahh! It's time to eat. And dinner around here is GOOOOODDDD. So...I'll have to postpone this post for a few more minutes.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Sometimes you need to vent.
Well friends, once again I've made it to Wednesday.
Tomorrow is my last day in school for the week because on Friday we all meet back up at Macquarie to have an informal discuss-how-everythings-going class session.
I've been working hard. My host teacher put me in charge of both spelling and maths this week. And yes, for some strange reason Australians say maths rather than math. I like math better. To me it makes more sense.
So every day this week I am teaching 2 lessons on average. And it's hard!
For instance, today I was responsible for introducing graphs, how to read them, and how to make them in maths. Now, the lessons are supposed to be 50 minutes each. SUPPOSED to be. But, of course, they aren't. First of all, maths is after recess. Recess ends at 10:55 and maths is supposed to start at 10:55. It never starts until 11 when all of the students are back in the building. Secondly, some students switch rooms for maths and this adds to the confusion and number of students walking around in the classroom. THEN, as if that weren't enough, they need to have up to 3 books and worksheets passed out. Needless to say, I really only get 40 minutes at the most when the curriculum says I have 5 50 minute periods. Oh well.
Then comes the part of getting everyone to listen, be quiet, and pay attention. Now, if I had a classroom for an entire year, or even a 10 week term, this may be feesible. But, I am a visiting teacher in the school for 14 days. It took 3 days to learn names. It's rather difficult ot build up a rapport with the students without implementing new behaviour management techniques....which I don't really have the option to do because this isn't my permanent classroom and I don't have the ability to enforce anything that has yet to be taught to the students and agreed upon. So... yeah.
Anyways, I tried to teach them how to read graphs today. It was pretty much a miserable lesson. I didn't complete the things that I had wanted to get done and I had a handful of students that wouldn't be quiet.
After the lesson I replanned the lesson for tomorrow, restructured how it would be taught, and gave myself a pat on the back for trying.
THEN...I was supposed to teach a session on bullying this afternoon. The students were all out on a sporting event. They were supposed to be back at 2:15. But, of course! They didn't actually get back to the classroom until 2:50. Ten minutes. ten. Did I mention that this unit is to be taught over two class periods? No, I do believe I left that out. So, I get 10 minutes to get the students started on this unit. It actually went beautifully. I started by asking how many of the students had even been bullied. Nearly every hand in the room shot up. Then I asked students to share how it made them feel and I got some very good and deep answers. I must tell you that at this point I just wanted everyone to sit in a circle and continue to share how bullying affected them and what we can do to stop bullying in schools. I just wanted to hug each of them and tell them how much they are loved and valued. I wanted to tell them that they were created for a purpose and are treasured above all other life on earth.
But, I only had 10 minutes...and that wasn't actually part of the curricu-fied lesson.
All in all, what I want you to know is that I get 35 minutes tomorrow to finish the unit that I was supposed to get 100 minutes to do. Lame.
And, I would also like you to know that today was just kind of hard. I've been told that I am too hard on myself, but when I see that I could've done something differently or more efficiently or whatever I try to learn from it and improve. Obviously I am not, and won't be, a star teacher just yet. But I see the potential and so when I fall short of it I tend to get discouraged. I'm learning. And I think that's what I, and any up and coming teacher, needs to keep in mind. To teach is to learn and to learn is to teach. Deep huh? Yeah, I know, I just made that up.
Alright folks. This weekend I'm off to Port Stephens on a whale watching and wine tasting adventure.
Much love.
Tomorrow is my last day in school for the week because on Friday we all meet back up at Macquarie to have an informal discuss-how-everythings-going class session.
I've been working hard. My host teacher put me in charge of both spelling and maths this week. And yes, for some strange reason Australians say maths rather than math. I like math better. To me it makes more sense.
So every day this week I am teaching 2 lessons on average. And it's hard!
For instance, today I was responsible for introducing graphs, how to read them, and how to make them in maths. Now, the lessons are supposed to be 50 minutes each. SUPPOSED to be. But, of course, they aren't. First of all, maths is after recess. Recess ends at 10:55 and maths is supposed to start at 10:55. It never starts until 11 when all of the students are back in the building. Secondly, some students switch rooms for maths and this adds to the confusion and number of students walking around in the classroom. THEN, as if that weren't enough, they need to have up to 3 books and worksheets passed out. Needless to say, I really only get 40 minutes at the most when the curriculum says I have 5 50 minute periods. Oh well.
Then comes the part of getting everyone to listen, be quiet, and pay attention. Now, if I had a classroom for an entire year, or even a 10 week term, this may be feesible. But, I am a visiting teacher in the school for 14 days. It took 3 days to learn names. It's rather difficult ot build up a rapport with the students without implementing new behaviour management techniques....which I don't really have the option to do because this isn't my permanent classroom and I don't have the ability to enforce anything that has yet to be taught to the students and agreed upon. So... yeah.
Anyways, I tried to teach them how to read graphs today. It was pretty much a miserable lesson. I didn't complete the things that I had wanted to get done and I had a handful of students that wouldn't be quiet.
After the lesson I replanned the lesson for tomorrow, restructured how it would be taught, and gave myself a pat on the back for trying.
THEN...I was supposed to teach a session on bullying this afternoon. The students were all out on a sporting event. They were supposed to be back at 2:15. But, of course! They didn't actually get back to the classroom until 2:50. Ten minutes. ten. Did I mention that this unit is to be taught over two class periods? No, I do believe I left that out. So, I get 10 minutes to get the students started on this unit. It actually went beautifully. I started by asking how many of the students had even been bullied. Nearly every hand in the room shot up. Then I asked students to share how it made them feel and I got some very good and deep answers. I must tell you that at this point I just wanted everyone to sit in a circle and continue to share how bullying affected them and what we can do to stop bullying in schools. I just wanted to hug each of them and tell them how much they are loved and valued. I wanted to tell them that they were created for a purpose and are treasured above all other life on earth.
But, I only had 10 minutes...and that wasn't actually part of the curricu-fied lesson.
All in all, what I want you to know is that I get 35 minutes tomorrow to finish the unit that I was supposed to get 100 minutes to do. Lame.
And, I would also like you to know that today was just kind of hard. I've been told that I am too hard on myself, but when I see that I could've done something differently or more efficiently or whatever I try to learn from it and improve. Obviously I am not, and won't be, a star teacher just yet. But I see the potential and so when I fall short of it I tend to get discouraged. I'm learning. And I think that's what I, and any up and coming teacher, needs to keep in mind. To teach is to learn and to learn is to teach. Deep huh? Yeah, I know, I just made that up.
Alright folks. This weekend I'm off to Port Stephens on a whale watching and wine tasting adventure.
Much love.
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