I like winter, I really do. There is absolutely nothing like the feeling of walking into the crisp air on a winter day, looking around at the fresh snowfall, the world bathed in white. Sure, winter comes with frigid temperatures and disparingly gray skies and the month of February, but it is still likable. It isn't a season for me to "get through," but rather take in and enjoy.
Until that first taste of spring.
This happened a bit early this year, when I completed a week of teaching on my new schedule. I completed a week and looked back, and realized that I never again have to walk to or from school in the dark.
It's been a cold and dark Romanian winter. And hope springs (hehe- get it?) anew.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Silly Sentences
As a treat for my 5A class after a double session last week, we played BINGO today in class. I have a bit of a unique system for playing- we create our own boards. Choosing five different categories, we come up with five examples within the category as a class. For example, the category could be animals, and as a class we come up with panda bear, lion, snake, zebra, and spider. All of these are recorded on the board and then the students fill in their blank bingo cards however they see fit.
When it comes time to play, I randomly choose (usually from sheets of paper folded up) the letters B, I, N, G, or O, and say one of the words from the board.
There are many reasons I play this way, but one of the benefits is the activity we can end the class with: silly sentences. The assignment is to create sentences using a word from each of the categories. Here are some examples of work today... enjoy :)
"The red Romanian cat does math and plays ping-pong."
"The blue English zebra danced when it was learning P.E."
"When I was playing basketball in the math class, a green zebra said that he went to Spain a weekend ago."
"When I learnt for science in my car, go to England to play water polo, I saw a purple cat playing basketball."
"Last month I went in England when I saw a man in yellow clothes who was playing tennis with a cat but he don't know Romanian."
"Last month, when I was in Sweden for a math exam, when I saw a big rat, big like a giraffe, purple, playing ping-pong with a hand, and with the other he was playing P.E."
"When I learnt English in Spain I saw a yellow cat playing ping-pong."
"In my purple room I dance, I think at Italy and at my zebra's English homework."
"When I was to Spain, I bought for my cat a green book to learn math and I played ping-pong."
"When I was in England, I saw a blue man wearing a red cat."
"I saw a red rat in Spain, that was playing ping-pong and study math with his friends."
"I live in Romania and while I was playing tennis I saw a blue giraffe that likes P.E."
"I have a purple zebra who is learning math in Romania when I'm dancing."
"I learning to be green and my Spanish rat who is a tennis star is doing science."
"When I play basketball in Italy I always think that a blue giraffe will dance in front of me."
"Italy's rats are purple and they are good at the science tennis."
Just admit it... my job is cooler than yours.
When it comes time to play, I randomly choose (usually from sheets of paper folded up) the letters B, I, N, G, or O, and say one of the words from the board.
There are many reasons I play this way, but one of the benefits is the activity we can end the class with: silly sentences. The assignment is to create sentences using a word from each of the categories. Here are some examples of work today... enjoy :)
"The red Romanian cat does math and plays ping-pong."
"The blue English zebra danced when it was learning P.E."
"When I was playing basketball in the math class, a green zebra said that he went to Spain a weekend ago."
"When I learnt for science in my car, go to England to play water polo, I saw a purple cat playing basketball."
"Last month I went in England when I saw a man in yellow clothes who was playing tennis with a cat but he don't know Romanian."
"Last month, when I was in Sweden for a math exam, when I saw a big rat, big like a giraffe, purple, playing ping-pong with a hand, and with the other he was playing P.E."
"When I learnt English in Spain I saw a yellow cat playing ping-pong."
"In my purple room I dance, I think at Italy and at my zebra's English homework."
"When I was to Spain, I bought for my cat a green book to learn math and I played ping-pong."
"When I was in England, I saw a blue man wearing a red cat."
"I saw a red rat in Spain, that was playing ping-pong and study math with his friends."
"I live in Romania and while I was playing tennis I saw a blue giraffe that likes P.E."
"I have a purple zebra who is learning math in Romania when I'm dancing."
"I learning to be green and my Spanish rat who is a tennis star is doing science."
"When I play basketball in Italy I always think that a blue giraffe will dance in front of me."
"Italy's rats are purple and they are good at the science tennis."
Just admit it... my job is cooler than yours.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Takeover
I'm not sure exactly where I went wrong, but this past Tuesday my class was taken over. Specifically, my second grade class was taken over. By a second grader.
About 10 minutes into class, Andrei stands up and starts walking around the classroom with a little notebook. Andrei is a wanderer anyway, so I just let him be and continue on with the lesson. I see that he is walking from desk to desk, writing down names and checking the workbooks of his classmates. Hmm... okay.
A while later, I sit down at the desk for a moment and watch curiously as Andrei moves to the front of the room and begins directing the class. Completely parroting what I've just done, he proceeds to reteach the lesson.
Moments later, he allows two students to leave the classroom to use the bathroom. After that, he scolds one student for teasing another.
The best part... all of the kids listened to him.
I just watched. This could work out rather well for me.
About 10 minutes into class, Andrei stands up and starts walking around the classroom with a little notebook. Andrei is a wanderer anyway, so I just let him be and continue on with the lesson. I see that he is walking from desk to desk, writing down names and checking the workbooks of his classmates. Hmm... okay.
A while later, I sit down at the desk for a moment and watch curiously as Andrei moves to the front of the room and begins directing the class. Completely parroting what I've just done, he proceeds to reteach the lesson.
Moments later, he allows two students to leave the classroom to use the bathroom. After that, he scolds one student for teasing another.
The best part... all of the kids listened to him.
I just watched. This could work out rather well for me.
Scheduling- Round Two
For months they have been working on the third wing of the building at School 79, and it was finally finished during the mid-semester break last week. Classes were moved into new rooms, and I saw the back of the school building for the first time. On a side note, my 6th grade students got a GREAT shot of a naked man in the building opposite through a window. "Moving on to exercise 11, please..."
Regardless, we have moved from 40 minutes classes in three shifts throughout the day to 50 minute classes in two shifts. I'm a bit nervous about exactly what to do with 10 extra minutes in classes with the little ones- honestly, 40 minutes is about what they can handle. But regardless, I've emerged from this whole scheduling fiasco a winner. Only one bad day, and it's a Monday :)
Here is the new schedule, for those who are interested. Additionally, I will provide commentary on each class, now that I know them...
Monday
12:00- 5B (Actually one of my favorite groups, if crazy loud and super nuts and really challenging sometimes. Filled with some really funny boys who goof off non-stop, and one of the sweetest girls you could ever hope to meet...)
1:00- 7B (A sweet group individually, but collectively they can be a disaster... interesting bunch for sure...)
3:00- 5C (Has some of the LOUDEST boys I've ever met in my life- and they can be crazy, but really wonderful and fun sometimes...)
4:00- 6C (The bread throwing class. That is about all I have to say...)
5:00- 7A (A class I love love love, but they can get kind of rowdy. Looking forward to more good things with this class...)
Tuesday
8:00- 2C (A DREAM group. Some really adorable kids, they listen really well, and they love me...)
9:00- 2E (This group is really interesting... can get super loud, but incredibly affectionate. I love teaching them, and getting all the hugs...)
10:00- 1D (Ugh... rough. The absolute NUTTIEST child I've ever taught in my life- he tried to "sneak" out of class 17 times one day- but you should see this kid smile...)
11:00- 1B (A really adorable dream kind of class- cute kids with a bit of attitude sometimes...)
12:00- 5A (What could possibly be my favorite group. Just- SWEET and amazing. Seriously, sometimes too easy...)
Wednesday
8:00- 1C (A group I've not sure what to do with. On my best days they are charmable, on my worst they are a disaster...)
9:00- 2D (Ugh- wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Rough...)
10:00- 2A (Wow, a fantastic group, and so so so smart. I absolutely LOVE these kids... and the three Luca boys...)
11:00- 1E (My favorite group of first graders- they are seriously adorable, and really well behaved, and they sing ALL my songs...)
12:00- 6A (My other DREAM group- too easy sometimes, but lovely)
Thursday
4:00- 6B (Another incredibly rowdy group, but some hysterical kids. They make me laugh EVERY week...)
5:00- 8B (These kids are interesting... somewhat unmotivated to do ANYTHING for me in English, but a lot of very smart students, and some sweethearts...)
Friday
9:00- 1A (Lots of cute kids, but some that are just TOO advanced in English for the group- good for them, bad for us...)
10:00- 2B (Used to be a disaster class and still a challenging group, but much easier and a happy time almost always...)
11:00- 1F (Sometimes crazy, but my smallest group, and they were a lot better in the new room today- also, one of the sweetest students I have...)
12:00- 8A (Technically the "best" students I have in English... some amazing kids and some that really just don't care... I feel like a constant failure with this group...)
Not bad, eh?
Regardless, we have moved from 40 minutes classes in three shifts throughout the day to 50 minute classes in two shifts. I'm a bit nervous about exactly what to do with 10 extra minutes in classes with the little ones- honestly, 40 minutes is about what they can handle. But regardless, I've emerged from this whole scheduling fiasco a winner. Only one bad day, and it's a Monday :)
Here is the new schedule, for those who are interested. Additionally, I will provide commentary on each class, now that I know them...
Monday
12:00- 5B (Actually one of my favorite groups, if crazy loud and super nuts and really challenging sometimes. Filled with some really funny boys who goof off non-stop, and one of the sweetest girls you could ever hope to meet...)
1:00- 7B (A sweet group individually, but collectively they can be a disaster... interesting bunch for sure...)
3:00- 5C (Has some of the LOUDEST boys I've ever met in my life- and they can be crazy, but really wonderful and fun sometimes...)
4:00- 6C (The bread throwing class. That is about all I have to say...)
5:00- 7A (A class I love love love, but they can get kind of rowdy. Looking forward to more good things with this class...)
Tuesday
8:00- 2C (A DREAM group. Some really adorable kids, they listen really well, and they love me...)
9:00- 2E (This group is really interesting... can get super loud, but incredibly affectionate. I love teaching them, and getting all the hugs...)
10:00- 1D (Ugh... rough. The absolute NUTTIEST child I've ever taught in my life- he tried to "sneak" out of class 17 times one day- but you should see this kid smile...)
11:00- 1B (A really adorable dream kind of class- cute kids with a bit of attitude sometimes...)
12:00- 5A (What could possibly be my favorite group. Just- SWEET and amazing. Seriously, sometimes too easy...)
Wednesday
8:00- 1C (A group I've not sure what to do with. On my best days they are charmable, on my worst they are a disaster...)
9:00- 2D (Ugh- wow. Wow. Wow. Wow. Rough...)
10:00- 2A (Wow, a fantastic group, and so so so smart. I absolutely LOVE these kids... and the three Luca boys...)
11:00- 1E (My favorite group of first graders- they are seriously adorable, and really well behaved, and they sing ALL my songs...)
12:00- 6A (My other DREAM group- too easy sometimes, but lovely)
Thursday
4:00- 6B (Another incredibly rowdy group, but some hysterical kids. They make me laugh EVERY week...)
5:00- 8B (These kids are interesting... somewhat unmotivated to do ANYTHING for me in English, but a lot of very smart students, and some sweethearts...)
Friday
9:00- 1A (Lots of cute kids, but some that are just TOO advanced in English for the group- good for them, bad for us...)
10:00- 2B (Used to be a disaster class and still a challenging group, but much easier and a happy time almost always...)
11:00- 1F (Sometimes crazy, but my smallest group, and they were a lot better in the new room today- also, one of the sweetest students I have...)
12:00- 8A (Technically the "best" students I have in English... some amazing kids and some that really just don't care... I feel like a constant failure with this group...)
Not bad, eh?
Saturday, February 5, 2011
One Recollection- A Royal Visit
Written by Mike:
Once upon a time there was a little princess in a small part of Romania. Her father the King was in a distant land. When he came back his daughter the princess had gathered all the peasants. They had a huge celebration. And the King declared that he and his daughter the princess would travel the countryside. And thus it began.
They left the King’s fortress in the largest town (Bucuresti) and traveled early in the morning to a very old area of the countryside so the King could show his princess their history. They passed beautiful countryside of rolling hills and jagged mountains covered with ice. When they reached the town (Brasov) the King left his daughter the princess to go out amongst the villagers whilst she recovered from her journey. The King enjoyed his time with his subjects enough that he returned to his daughter to bring her out with him the following day. Together they traveled the local countryside to ancient ruins, and the King told his daughter the history of their heritage. That night, they snuck away so as not to be noticed by the adoring subjects, for the King did not want a big fanfare. They journeyed to another town in the northern cold land and arrived at dawn in the city of Cluj-Napoca. The princess awakened at the beauty and magnificence of the city and the King was elated. Weary as they were from a night of travel, they took rest. In the early afternoon the King brought his princess to his magical garden, which appeared to be a winter wonderland. The princess was in awe. After meeting a charming dignitary for an evening meal, she proposed that the King and princess travel to a foreign land as a diplomatic act. And thus, they made ready to leave on their journey on the morrow.
Traveling to a neighboring kingdom, the King and his princess were met by wonderful fanfare and they were housed in the kingdom’s finest palace available. The King and his princess were in awe of the beauty and splendor of the sights of the village and the furnishings of the palace. The following day the King and his princess were escorted as diplomats to tour the village and see all that it had to offer. Upon awakening the King and his weary princess disguised themselves as commoners so as not to be recognized as diplomats to go amongst the people. They traveled to the thermal baths and to the Central Market Place, where they dined on the local fare and marveled at the hand crafts of the local people. Still in disguise the King suggested that they sneak away back to their kingdom during the night, and this pleased the princess. They arrived after a painful journey to Timisoara, where they had a late-night stroll through the town squares before retiring for the night.
Upon awakening and eating a breakfast feast fit for the King and his princess (complete with Nutella), they again proceeded into the square where subjects were happy to see them. Happy to be amongst his loyal subjects the King and princess met and talked with several of their countrymen, and even dined with one man. However, all good stories must come to an end, and it was time for the King and his princess to return to the fortress far far away. They left, heading east in the daylight, and it would be late in the night before they returned to the town they left a short 6 days previous.
Once upon a time there was a little princess in a small part of Romania. Her father the King was in a distant land. When he came back his daughter the princess had gathered all the peasants. They had a huge celebration. And the King declared that he and his daughter the princess would travel the countryside. And thus it began.
They left the King’s fortress in the largest town (Bucuresti) and traveled early in the morning to a very old area of the countryside so the King could show his princess their history. They passed beautiful countryside of rolling hills and jagged mountains covered with ice. When they reached the town (Brasov) the King left his daughter the princess to go out amongst the villagers whilst she recovered from her journey. The King enjoyed his time with his subjects enough that he returned to his daughter to bring her out with him the following day. Together they traveled the local countryside to ancient ruins, and the King told his daughter the history of their heritage. That night, they snuck away so as not to be noticed by the adoring subjects, for the King did not want a big fanfare. They journeyed to another town in the northern cold land and arrived at dawn in the city of Cluj-Napoca. The princess awakened at the beauty and magnificence of the city and the King was elated. Weary as they were from a night of travel, they took rest. In the early afternoon the King brought his princess to his magical garden, which appeared to be a winter wonderland. The princess was in awe. After meeting a charming dignitary for an evening meal, she proposed that the King and princess travel to a foreign land as a diplomatic act. And thus, they made ready to leave on their journey on the morrow.
Traveling to a neighboring kingdom, the King and his princess were met by wonderful fanfare and they were housed in the kingdom’s finest palace available. The King and his princess were in awe of the beauty and splendor of the sights of the village and the furnishings of the palace. The following day the King and his princess were escorted as diplomats to tour the village and see all that it had to offer. Upon awakening the King and his weary princess disguised themselves as commoners so as not to be recognized as diplomats to go amongst the people. They traveled to the thermal baths and to the Central Market Place, where they dined on the local fare and marveled at the hand crafts of the local people. Still in disguise the King suggested that they sneak away back to their kingdom during the night, and this pleased the princess. They arrived after a painful journey to Timisoara, where they had a late-night stroll through the town squares before retiring for the night.
Upon awakening and eating a breakfast feast fit for the King and his princess (complete with Nutella), they again proceeded into the square where subjects were happy to see them. Happy to be amongst his loyal subjects the King and princess met and talked with several of their countrymen, and even dined with one man. However, all good stories must come to an end, and it was time for the King and his princess to return to the fortress far far away. They left, heading east in the daylight, and it would be late in the night before they returned to the town they left a short 6 days previous.
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