Monday, March 31, 2008

School Days

Today was my first teaching observation. Year 2 has a technology unit topic about containers. I am having a hard time with it, becuase it is nothing I've ever heard of teaching before. Luckly, my teacher and university supervisor are super helpful. I did a lesson about the 3 Little Pigs today. We discussed materials that make a house strong and then each student had to write about what they would use to build a house, or what their house is made of. We also had another Maori lesson where we learned numbers. The students are very good at it, but I can not seem to follow along! Unlike European languages, there is no connection to English. But I am proud to say I was able to tell the class my "house number" in Maori!
I start full time teaching later this week. I have lots of planning to do! Things are about to get busy around here!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

3 Day School Week!

Tomorrow is the weekend already! I could get used to 3 day weeks! I have enjoyed teaching my small groups. In reading we read a small play and a book about camels. We discuss sounds, concepts of print and comprehension, just like in the states, but it is on a more individual level. The kids in my group are ready to attack these skills. In math we are trying to memorize addition facts to 10. We played a game with 10 beads on a string. After we did a cut and paste activity. I paring up with a year 6 class (5th grade) to help me start a USA club. A teacher is arranging interested writers to meet with me at lunch to write a book to bring back to my school. I am also planning on spending time with the reading recovery teacher tomorrow.

The weekend should be fun, as I am planning on going to the movies with another teacher, the zoo and a rugby game. Go Auckland Blues!

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

What a weekend!

I was worried I would have nothing to do over the long Easter holiday, but I was wrong!
Friday I went on a Harbour Boat Cruise. Auckland is on two harbours and has the highest population of yacht owners in the world. There were over 4000 yachts in the harbour! On the cruise I had a delicious steak lunch. The weather was warm and the sights were beautiful!

Saturday I went on a tour of 3 different winery and vineyards. At each stop we tasted many different wines and cheeses. The last stop was my favorite. Westbrook was beautiful. It had a river and an amazing view of mountains and grape vines. We also saw some black sand beaches, had a cafe lunch and ate fresh strawberry ice cream! That night I had a fancy dinner with my host family at a friend's house.

On Easter I went to the local Catholic church for mass. It was interesting how they say the same prayers but use different words. That afternoon I spent on the beach. It was warm out and I enjoyed laying in the sun. That night I went to a BBQ with a group of teachers.

Monday and Tuesday I went on a two day tour of the Bay of Islands. This is the area where New Zealand was founded and a treaty was signed with the Maori Natives in 1840. I learned so much about their history and saw some old buildings. I went on a boat ride in some rocky water to see the "Hole in the Rock." When the weather is better you can drive a boat right through it. I also went on a "yellow submarine" to see the fish in the bay.

This week in school I am starting to teach a reading and math group. I am beginning with the intermediate leveled students. I am looking forward, but nervous for full control. Teachers here have lots of work to do! I'm glad there is tea time!

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Hot Cross Buns

Today was a fun day at school. Because tomorrow is Easter break, we made Hot Cross Buns (an Easter bread treat that is very common around here) as a class. In the afternoon we had a school assembly where students were received awards.

I planned a bit for next week with my teacher. I am "taking over" the blue reading group, which is just a bit below level for the age of the class. I am also doing a writing lesson and modeling writing about my Easter break.

Tonight I am meeting with Erica from OU to plan our long weekend. For sure, on Monday and Tuesday we are going on an Auckland bus tour.

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Feet First

Today I went along with the senior class (year 4,5,6) on a walk to the intermediate school (middle school) for a feet first initiative. The country is promoting walking to school so student get more exercises and the air is less polluted. Some area schools are taking part in this. On Wednesdays we have "Walking Wednesday" and everyone who walks to school receives a number on their hand. At the end of the day numbers are drawn for prizes. Anyways, the field trip was great! We walked about 20 minutes to the other school and then watched a presentation. Each school had a skit or song about walking. My school did a dance to the Locomotion. The intermediate school did a tradition Maori welcome for all the important people who were there. Maoris are the native people of New Zealand. I took a quick video of their presentation. It was like nothing I have seen before and even startled me a bit. I will do my personal best to put up pictures and video tomorrow after school. After the presentations, the Minister of Education from Parliament spoke! The we went outside to play games, had lunch and walked home.

After school I attended a staff meeting about ESOL. (English as a Second Oral Language) It was very interesting. The topic was on vocabulary and how to teach students how English words have many different meanings and contexts. The staff did a few activities together and held a great discussion. I have a few new classroom tricks to use, that can really help any child's vocabulary. A survey was done in the school, and 10 of my 26 students speak other languages at home, including French, Chinese, and other pacific island languages.

Tomorrow I am setting up a "timetable" with my teacher about the process of class take over. I am nervous because EVERYTHING is done with the students grouped according to level. For example in reading there are 5 groups. There is no basic reading text book the whole class uses. The teacher has leveled small books she reads with them and sends home. I have to plan like this for writing and math too! I also plan gym, but luckily- I know how to "Do The Dragon."

Monday, March 17, 2008

The First Days

Well- after flying for the whole weekend and losing Saturday I am here. My host family is very friendly and helpful.
The school here is amazing! Nothing like home! The primary school is a whole campus. The classrooms are all in different small and open buildings around the grounds. There are gardens and fields everywhere! The classrooms are loud, but a good kind of loud. Students are vocally reading and learing all the time. I am in a year 2 class, which is like out first grade. All my students are 6 years old. Today we are having a volcano drill!

Lunch time is up so I must go back to class! Write more soon!