So after two full weeks of school, things are going VERY well. I like my class a lot and I think it's going to be a great year. They are definitely a lot more relaxed than last years class and I don't think I realized how crazy those kids were until I got this one. Some of the other teachers were laughing and saying that maybe the principal gave me a really chill class so that I am convinced to stay longer. Who knows but I still have no idea what I will do.
One of the highlights of the week was when we were doing a science experiment that I had done with my class last year but it ended up being so crazy and the kids were all over the place. This year (having learned from last year) I made sure that instructions were VERY clear and guidelines were understood and it was great! Another highlight was one of the mom's came in this week because I have a new student in my class. When there is a new student, the parents come in to tell the class about the child and their family. She moved here from Mexico but is fitting in just fine. It was interesting to hear the mom talk about their family history and the back and forth from Mexico.
This weekend was relaxing. Friday night, I just hung around my apartment with friends, Saturday went for an intense hill run with the complejo running group, ran some errands doing the day and FINALLY went to get pupusas that night. I hadn't had them since I was back in July, how crazy! I am trying my very best to not work on the weekends or bring work home and so far so good :) This evening, Jose and I watched Green Hornet. It was good....an adventure movie but also funny too!
This week is a busy one with spanish classes starting up on Mon/ Wed (yes, I am going to do my best to actually go for longer than a few weeks this time). Then, Thursday night is Open House. Busy, busy but only 2 full weeks then a short 3 day week for Independence Day. Happy Birthday to Caitlyn on Wednesday and Happy Anniversary to my parents on Thursday! Love and miss you all!
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday, August 21, 2011
First week down
After the first full week at school, I am feeling great about the year and all that it will bring. I have been LOVING using the projector and document camera that I now have in my classroom. It has made everything SO much easier! Overall, my class is great. I have 20 kids.....12 girls and 8 boys, all fun kids. They are a lot quieter than my class last year but hopefully they open up a little bit.
I've been thinking more and more...maybe this class is just better behaved because I am doing a better job at disciplining because I have more experience. Which, yes I'm sure is a part of it. But thinking back to my class last year, they were already a little crazy this early in the year.
I am excited for this next week and hopefully things continue to go well! I've already been back 4 1/2 weeks which has flown by and I've been thinking....before too long I will be home again for Nikki's wedding in October. I have just been enjoying time on my weekends and relaxing around the city mostly. Haven't been going to the beach as much because it's rainy season so you never know what the weather is going to be like. I went on a long run (7.25 miles) with the Complejo running group on Saturday morning which was rough since I haven't been going nearly that far but it was a good one! Not this week but next week is open house at school so I will have to start preparing all of the materials for that.
I have very much enjoyed having Antonia (our maid) come twice a week this year. She has been doing some cooking and extra cleaning, it's been wonderful! I rarely have any clothes dirty because she washes them right away. Also, coming home on Friday's after playing soccer and having dinner made and sheets, clothes, everything all clean is amazing!
So all is well here. Hope everyone had a great weekend at home and hope to hear from you soon! Love and miss you!
I've been thinking more and more...maybe this class is just better behaved because I am doing a better job at disciplining because I have more experience. Which, yes I'm sure is a part of it. But thinking back to my class last year, they were already a little crazy this early in the year.
I am excited for this next week and hopefully things continue to go well! I've already been back 4 1/2 weeks which has flown by and I've been thinking....before too long I will be home again for Nikki's wedding in October. I have just been enjoying time on my weekends and relaxing around the city mostly. Haven't been going to the beach as much because it's rainy season so you never know what the weather is going to be like. I went on a long run (7.25 miles) with the Complejo running group on Saturday morning which was rough since I haven't been going nearly that far but it was a good one! Not this week but next week is open house at school so I will have to start preparing all of the materials for that.
I have very much enjoyed having Antonia (our maid) come twice a week this year. She has been doing some cooking and extra cleaning, it's been wonderful! I rarely have any clothes dirty because she washes them right away. Also, coming home on Friday's after playing soccer and having dinner made and sheets, clothes, everything all clean is amazing!
So all is well here. Hope everyone had a great weekend at home and hope to hear from you soon! Love and miss you!
Friday, August 12, 2011
First few days of Year # 2
I can not believe that I have a new class. It is so strange to me thinking that I have a whole different group of kids and the old ones are off in 6th grade now! This new group is great though and I'm hoping for a fun year. I have 20 kids.....13 girls and 8 boys which is the opposite of last year and I think is what is going to make a HUGE difference.
The first few days we have done lots of getting to know you games and organizing of supplies. This weekend has been full of time for recovering and preparing for the full week ahead. I am pretty well planned for this next week and tried to be productive and get a lot done. On Friday, I played soccer again and it was lots of fun. I am always the only girl that plays but it's fun. After soccer, I was exhausted from the week so just hung around with my roommate and went to bed early. Yesterday (Saturday), I went to the embassy pool with some friends and saw one of my new students there :) I have a few embassy kids in my class this year but it was fun to see her and I met her parents....not an ideal first meeting but it was fine! Tonight, I have a bbq at a friend's and then will be getting all ready for the week.
My goal for this year is to be more prepared and follow through on things better. Last year I was so scatter-brained all the time trying to try so many different things and this year I am going to do my best to stick with things and not stop and start with so many different things. I am also starting out focusing on all of the things that bothered me towards the end of the year last year but I just let it go at that point in the year. I am being a bit more intense about the quickness and order in getting lined up to go to recess, lunch, specials and also with the students speaking spanish to each other in class. For the first few days, I would give them gentle reminders but I said that starting this week it has to be English.....always. I am still at the point in the year too that I am so excited about planning. When I was planning this morning, I was getting so excited to do the activities over the next couple of weeks! Let's hope that attitude continues :)
Well I hope things are going well for everyone and people that are starting back to school over the next couple weeks have a great start to the year, it's such an exciting time! I also want to wish a Happy Anniversary to my grandparents today and to Chris and Latoya on Tuesday. I am so happy for all of you! Miss you and love you!
The first few days we have done lots of getting to know you games and organizing of supplies. This weekend has been full of time for recovering and preparing for the full week ahead. I am pretty well planned for this next week and tried to be productive and get a lot done. On Friday, I played soccer again and it was lots of fun. I am always the only girl that plays but it's fun. After soccer, I was exhausted from the week so just hung around with my roommate and went to bed early. Yesterday (Saturday), I went to the embassy pool with some friends and saw one of my new students there :) I have a few embassy kids in my class this year but it was fun to see her and I met her parents....not an ideal first meeting but it was fine! Tonight, I have a bbq at a friend's and then will be getting all ready for the week.
My goal for this year is to be more prepared and follow through on things better. Last year I was so scatter-brained all the time trying to try so many different things and this year I am going to do my best to stick with things and not stop and start with so many different things. I am also starting out focusing on all of the things that bothered me towards the end of the year last year but I just let it go at that point in the year. I am being a bit more intense about the quickness and order in getting lined up to go to recess, lunch, specials and also with the students speaking spanish to each other in class. For the first few days, I would give them gentle reminders but I said that starting this week it has to be English.....always. I am still at the point in the year too that I am so excited about planning. When I was planning this morning, I was getting so excited to do the activities over the next couple of weeks! Let's hope that attitude continues :)
Well I hope things are going well for everyone and people that are starting back to school over the next couple weeks have a great start to the year, it's such an exciting time! I also want to wish a Happy Anniversary to my grandparents today and to Chris and Latoya on Tuesday. I am so happy for all of you! Miss you and love you!
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
I'm baaaaaack
So I am officially back and settled. I had a great time at home but the time went by very quickly. I was home 5 weeks and in that time, spent some time in Colorado, visited friends, enjoyed driving, and Jose came to visit! I didn't realize how much I missed being home until I was there and it was so wonderful to see everyone!
I got back on the 21st after a missed connection and extra night spent in Miami and have been busy welcoming all of the new teachers for next year. We have been taking them on lots of shopping trips, to different parts of the country and have had lots of dinners and gatherings and things. It has been busy but also fun to get to know them and see all of these people with eyes wide open and think that it was just a year ago that I was in their exact same position.
Once all of the welcoming was done, I still had a bit of time before school started so I went to a resort for a couple nights with some friends. It was a nice, relaxing end to the summer.
Today was the first official day of work and it was somewhat productive. We got back into our classrooms, started putting things back on the walls, got our schedules and are getting all ready to go. I have the same morning plan time which will be nice so my schedule will be exactly the same as last year. I still don't know who will be in my class but will find out on Wednesday. I am ready to start the school year and getting excited for Thursday to come.
This week has been busy, busy preparing but I will write more after the first few days of school. I can't believe it's time to start another year already, my SECOND year of teaching. So crazy!!
I got back on the 21st after a missed connection and extra night spent in Miami and have been busy welcoming all of the new teachers for next year. We have been taking them on lots of shopping trips, to different parts of the country and have had lots of dinners and gatherings and things. It has been busy but also fun to get to know them and see all of these people with eyes wide open and think that it was just a year ago that I was in their exact same position.
Once all of the welcoming was done, I still had a bit of time before school started so I went to a resort for a couple nights with some friends. It was a nice, relaxing end to the summer.
Today was the first official day of work and it was somewhat productive. We got back into our classrooms, started putting things back on the walls, got our schedules and are getting all ready to go. I have the same morning plan time which will be nice so my schedule will be exactly the same as last year. I still don't know who will be in my class but will find out on Wednesday. I am ready to start the school year and getting excited for Thursday to come.
This week has been busy, busy preparing but I will write more after the first few days of school. I can't believe it's time to start another year already, my SECOND year of teaching. So crazy!!
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