American Currency and Poerty

Monday June 16

It's a Monday. We began with morning assembly. Mr. White, the headmaster, spoke very softly. I could barely understand him. I don't really like morning assembly. It takes away from learning because all of the students have to gather. I think a simple thing over the intercom would work well.

Back in the classroom, we dove right into maths. Subtracting money. I helped at the lower level group again.

After play time the children started their RE lesson and I was sent off to make copies. She handed me a sheet and I was to make 20 copies. I didn't know how to use the copier, but I didn't tell her that. I bumped into Carly (another BSU student) at the copier. I asked if she could help me. It turns out she didn't know how to work it either. She couldn't figure out how to get everything centered. Once she was finished she tried to help me. Talk about blind leading the blind. We put in my paper and hit 20 copies. More copies of her paper came flying out! Rage quit printing! I hit the cancel button probably 20 times just to make sure it quit. But I only had 4 sheets of paper left. I wasn't about to go back to my teacher and tell her I messed up. Carly gave me the rest of her blank paper then she ran away. I then went into the office to see if someone would be able to help me. I said "excuse me" and waited for a response. I got nothing. So I continued asking if someone could help me use the copier. Finally one of them huffed and helped me.

I came back in and the students were reading another chapter in the world cup story. I actually enjoy that story. It is interesting how the author incorporates the game facts from the night before and then the readers get to choose where the story goes next.

After the story, I was told to have individual students read to me. I had to listen to them and then check their understanding. I took one boy outside with me first. He had a tiny book about ducks. He is not the best reader in the class. He really struggled reading this book out loud to me, but he did understand what he read. I was surprised. Another was sent out next. I didn't expect him to be as good of a reader as he was. He was reading a chapter book. He blew through his punctuation signs (full stops), but other than that he was a good reader. He was pretty good with the comprehension too.

Play time. I had to set up for the continuation of my lesson from thursday. The students were to take home the worksheets I gave them, fill them out, and then bring them back in. Well, only some of the students did that. Then I gave them their cut out states and they had to write the states name, draw a picture that represented the state, and color it in. Only 7 people finished. My children work so slowly. They kept coming up to me telling me they didn't know what to draw. I told them to look at their fact sheets. They would then tell me that they couldn't complete their fact sheets over the weekend for whatever reason. I told them to ask other members of their group then. We did this up to the end of the day.

The bell rang and I got out of there as fast as possible. I don't like talking to her and she doesn't like talking to me.

Tuesday June 17

At breakfast, I extracted sea urchin from Karli's ankle. She still had it in there from the weekend. It took a little while, but eventually I got all of it out.

Today was the day of the RE (church) observations. The whole school was preparing. Everyone had all of their crosses and churchy posters on the walls and their best faces on.

We read the world cup story in the morning and prepped for the inspection.

Play time.

We came back from break and had our RE inspection. I had to sit next to one boy to make sure he was on the right track. He was all over the place. I had to keep redirecting him. My teacher was a little nicer, but not really. She still yelled at the kids. It wasn't as bad, but still. The kids then got to take turns being the priest and sinner. It was funny watching them in the cut up stolls (what Abby and I cut up yesterday) with their hands over the 'sinner's' head absolving them of their sins. Quite amusing. I think our class did fine. We didn't get yelled at. They worked on odds and ends with the students until lunch. I had to take students outside to have them read to me. Katie Kelly came outside with me this time. She was a better reader, but still had some issues. She had pretty good comprehension.

Lunch time. I ate and then headed toward the classroom to set up for my maths lesson. I pulled up prezi and printed off papers.

My lesson. My teacher observed this lesson. Oh goodie! I didn't like that she observed it, but oh well. My video didn't work. The students were a mess after that. I had a hard time gaining their attention back. I went through my presentation and gave them the work. They did alright. Some were really lost, while others did just fine.

Play time.

After break. She told me to wrap it up. I did and then she talked to me about my lesson. She said that I needed to work on watching everyone in the classroom because I looked toward the middle and forgot the lower students. I also needed to write my information on the board because the students couldn't remember what I had said. Finally, she said that I needed to print more pieces of paper out so that the students could share. I didn't want to use up all of my paper.

Wednesday June 18

Next we had our spanish teacher come in for a spanish language. I tried to pull up different spanish words. I only had 2 years spanish, but I still remembered a few things. They started with an Hola Classe song. Then they moved onto a Me llamo ______ song. Then they started a where I live song. Then moved onto Que tiempo hace? They pronounced 'c' as 'th'. It was really weird hearing them talk. They all said everything in unison. It was really funny. They said hace calor a lot. All I could think of was "Hace calor. Sí sí señor. Could fry an egg on the cement its so caliente!" I sang that the entire lesson. They played the flyswatter game. That really took me back to high school…

Hace calor. Sí sí señor. Could fry an egg on the cement its so caliente!

This is still before break. We start maths. The students start analog time. I had to take one girl into the back and work on money. She has had several people working with her on it. She still didn't understand. I would put out two different coins and have her add them together. I gave her 20p and 5p. She didn't know how to do that. I told her that if she had one coin with a 0 at the and one without, the one without the 0 would replace the 0. She seemed to understand that. I tried it several times with different coins. Then I added more coins in. Eventually I gave her 3 pound coins a 50p, 2p, 1p, and 1p. She could add them. I kept encouraging and praising her. I was actually really proud. I waited until every other student had left for play time and I called my teacher over. The little girl showed her how she could add them. After she left, my teacher told me that I did a good job with her and I might have the special touch. This is the first time she actually said something nice to me.

Play time

Back from play time, I gave the same little girl a sample test. She did not do to well on it, but she tried really hard to get them right. That took almost the whole time until lunch. After working with her, I walked around and helped the students with their World Cup books. I had to trace things and draw things for the students.

Lunch time.

After lunch, there was a maths workshop--for students. Both Year 4 classes headed to the hall (gym) and met teachers from another school. They had set up a maths treasure hunt. The students had to go to each station, complete a puzzle, and receive a clue. Then at the end they had to put the clues together to find the buried treasure. Our teachers set outside and graded papers, the kids ran around to the stations, Abby and I just talked. It was really nice. We bounced lesson ideas off of each other. We came up with some good ones. The cherubs in my class found the treasure and won the best teamwork award. I was proud of them.

Thursday June 19

Today was an alright day. My teacher was in a decent mood this morning. First off, the cherubs had a practice math test thing. I had to take two students into room 15 to give them the test slower. Boy are they slow at answering questions. And they got almost every single one wrong. I couldn't help. I could just recite the question twice and be on my way. Just as I was giving them the last question, we were summoned back into the room for health.  

Health lesson today was a little different. We didn't do circle time, instead we had a review of change and groups in which we belong. The students then had to draw pictures of groups they belong in. Some of the children got it, and others didn't. I had to help several people.  

Play time.

The cherubs came into the classroom really crazy and loud. I was the only person in the room to control them. I had them alone for a few minutes. I calmed them down and got their attention. Christian and Katie went to find the supply (sub) PE teacher. When he came in, the children were loud again. I did the clap and got their attention. He asked "Is everything ok Miss" and I told him they were all his. They were so rowdy. They were bouncing off the walls. We played several team building activities. Playing cat and mouse, playing toss the tennis ball, toss the basketball in groups. Eventually we moved outside. But before we did, I had several girls crying. I have no idea what they were crying about, but there were tears. I told them they had to keep playing. Children came to me saying their stomachs hurt and they were dizzy. Whatever, I would be nice and let them sit out. The supply teacher didn't know what was going on. He asked me again if everything was alright. I told I'm it was all fine. We played a few rounds of tossing the basketball outside and then the bell rang. He left me with all of the children running into the building. I made them change out of their PE kits before lunch. They were all over the classroom. Dresses, cardigans, jumpers, and pants flying everywhere. I told them to hurry up.

Lunch time. I ate quickly and then went into the classroom to print things off. My teacher brought a children's computer for me to use because she was busy on hers. The dumb thing wouldn't hook up to the printer. I went into room 15 to try use the printer because she was working on her computer and was mad that I would need it. It wouldn't print on 15, so I had to go into the teacher's lounge and take her computer from her. She was sad to let it go and told me not to drop it. I promised her I wouldn't. I quickly went back to the room because I had wasted 20 minutes already and only had 10 minutes to print everything and set up. I actually got it all done in time.

Lesson time! I did a poetry lesson on Mattie J.T. Stepanek. We learned about who he was and the children rewrote on of his poems to be about themselves. It actually went really well, I was pleasantly surprised. They all wrote really cute poems. Not everyone finished, but that was fine.

Until next time! Ta and Cheers!

Barcelona Baby!

Thursday June 12

We had to talk all of our travel gear to school with us because we were heading directly form the school to the airport.  We knew our destination, but not exactly what bus took us there.  After going to the wrong stop first, we made it on the bus and got off at the last stop--John Lennon Airport.

Once inside and past security, we sat, ate, and decompressed. We didn't sit for too long because then it was time for boarding. They called it over the intercom. Anyone on flight blah blah blah headed to Barcelona, head to the gate immediately. We rushed toward the gate. We saw a long queue. After waiting a few minutes, we realized it was the wrong queue. Got in the right line and boarded quickly. It was nice. 

The flight was long and there were many interesting people on the flight with us.  We finally touched down in sunny Barcelona.  I stepped out of the plane and felt the heat.  I was ready for some hot weather.

We walk up to the taxi line and we were ushered into a taxi immediately. It was late and we decided beforehand that a taxi would be our best bet. The driver hops out and throws our bags in the back. I show him the address of the hostel on my phone. He gives me a confused look and says "well this is why I have GPS" in spotty English. We hop in, he plugs in the address and we were off. We eventually start climbing this mountain with winds and turns. Much like Appalachia. I keep watch on the GPS. There was a fork in the road and our driver took the wrong side. We are probably already 20 minutes into our journey. Then he keeps driving the wrong way! Getting to our hostel is never easy. He asks for the address again, plugs it in, turns around, and continues. Yet again, he doesn't follow the GPS. He zooms past it again. Lindsey and I realize what he is doing. I start saying to him. "I have a phone number. Do you want to call the hostel?" I had to repeat myself multiple times, but eventually he understood. "Sì" he says. I show him the address and he calls. The only things I could make out of his conversation was hola and tres chicas. We were in a mountain, lost, and with someone who speaks poor English, needless to say, we were a little worried.  After the phone call, he seemed to have a better heading. We head back down the mountain only to head up again a different way. When we finally saw signs for our hostel we all wanted to cry tears of joy, including the taxi driver, who was extremely frustrated at this point. On land we head toward reception. 

We knew going into this that the hostel employs adults with varying degrees of special needs, which is one of the reasons we choose to stay here.  The hostel we stayed at was a non-profit organization which runs a school for children with disabilities, and offered training and occupational health.  I kept this in mind when. Approached the desk. Again poor English. It took us another 10 minutes to get our keys and on our way. We were told that the hostel is not all in one building. We had to go back outside to get to our room. 

Two locked doors separated us from our beds. I wasn't complaining. I like that kind of privacy. I was pleasantly surprised our rooms were actually nice for hostel. We had our own bathroom and the beds were lifted high with outlets on each bed. Making charging convienent. 

We really didn't have dinner so we raced to our hostels restaurant. Ice cream was preferable. Then we saw it. The case of ice cream. It was locked so we headed inside to get an employee. While waiting for the ice cream to be unlocked, we heard a noise coming from outside. We looked and saw wild hogs! They were getting good out of the trash can. It was very interesting.

The wild hogs

 Friday June 13

Then it was time for free breakfast. Yes! We walked to the restaurant- no hogs this time. The free breakfast was actually pretty good. We got cereal, toast, donuts, and other things. We ate, asked for directions, and headed out for the day. 

Down the mountain we walked. We actually found the train station no problem. Once at the station-problem! We didn't know what ticket to buy. I flagged down a guy and luckily he helped as.

Once we get through the gate, we didn't know which side of te platform we needed. I flagged down another woman and asked her. She spoke even less English. I asked Sagrata Familia and pointed. She understood and pointed is in the right direction. We got on the train and had a short ride to the metro. We got on the metro and arrived at Segrada Famimia. Literally. I walked out of the station and BAM! Right there was the church-- and the long line that followed. We got in line which wrapped around the building and waited.

Sagrada Familia 

The line was just to buy the tickets. It took an hour to get to the front. We had 30 minutes to kill before our 12:30 time slot. We walked around to some shops. We bought some ice cream. Oreo- yum! Then we headed to the back to enter the Segrada familia. Oh my! This was the prettiest church we had seen so far. Really modern with lots of pretty stained glass. It was amazing! I was mesmerized walking around in the red, blue, and green light that poured in.  It was definitely worth the waiting and money.  After walking around we decided that we should get some food. While waiting in line, we got a brochure for a little backery. We decided to try that. 

Inside Sagrada Familia

Inside Sagrada Familia

Inside Sagrada Familia

We actually found it on our own. It was a  cute little shop. We looked at the menu and couldn't understand anything. Then they handed us menu with English. We all got ham on chibotta. It was delicious! We also got water. I was extremely parched at this point, so I chugged my $2 water. A worker shoved a plate if cupcakes in our face saying free sample. Well don't mind if I do. We asked what flavors. As soon as she said Nutella, Lindsey and I both screatched Nutella! We devoured the sample and then she comes back over and drops a whole Nutella cupcake on my plate. I didn't question it. I just ate it. Yummy!!

Off to the metro to go to la ramble. We got off the metro and started walking-- in the wrong direction. We corrected ourselves and found this street about 7 cars wide with vendors and shops and markets.I had never seen anything like it before. So many things to look at and smell--but I didn't inhale too long because it smelled really bad. We wandered until we found a tourist desk. We asked where the beaches were. She pointed us in the right direction. I was so stinking excited. 

That was the longest walk to the beach I have ever experienced. Probably bout 45 minutes. My feet were throbbing. Then we saw it--water! We all took off our shoes and ran toward the water. There were thousands of people laying out. It made it hard to walk. We eventually made it to the waters edge. The water felt so good! It was so clear, nothing like any of the other bodies of water I had swam in before.

The Mediterranean Sea

We walked along the sand for a long time until we hit rocks and a railing thing. We climbed over the rocks and over the railing to a less popular rocky side. It was beautiful. We sat on rocks and stuck our feet in the sand. It was soooo nice. We cooled off in no time.

We then wanted to walk over to the big rocks a few meters away. I started walking in rocks because it was too deep to walk on the sand part with our purses. I soon realized this path was tearing up my feet. I was stepping on urchins and barnacles. It fricken hurt man! The others didn't follow for long. I painfully turned back. We decided that we should sadly depart from the beach and head back for food.

The sea urchins that hurt me

It takes way less time to get back. We hit the market at la rambla. The market was amazing. So many good things. Fresh fruit, fresh fish, candy, and all the other foods. We got fresh fruit, cod cabob, and 1.5 liter water. Next we had to find some where to sit. We walked all the way back to the fountain we saw when we arrived. Oh my that was a long trek. We sat and ate at the fountain.

All of the wonders of the market

My 1.5 L water that I chugged

After eating we thought we should head toward the fountain light show. We reached the town and saw nothing. There wasn't anything there. So we decide to sit. For 35 minutes. During this time we see people with Miley written on their bodies and RIP Hannah Montana t-shirts. We get to thinking that there is a Miley Cyrus concert in Barcelona because we start hearing loud music. We then get up and start walking because we still had a while until the show started we hit an ATM first. There were two girls at te ATM dressed like they were going to a concert. Lindsey asked if there was a Miley Cyrus concert near by. They then asked s if we were drunk. So I take that as a no. They then tell us they spent 160 euros on a techno concert. We thought that was weird  

Whatever, we walked back to the center and found a tourist station we asked where there was ice cream. They pointed us to a mall. Shaped like a stadium. We headed into the basement. Ice cream was everywhere! I got Nutella ice cream in a large cone. Yummy. Next it was time for the fountain show. 

There were so many people around the fountain. I was ticked so we sat on the steps and waited for it to start. We saw the side fountains turn on, so we ran toward the big fountain. We got front row seats. All of the sudden we hear Nants ingonyama bagithi baba! It was the beginning of the circle of life. Karli's mouth drops to the ground. I thought she was going to cry. She loves Disney so much. The whole first 30 minutes was Disney songs. In Spanish, but we knew all of the words so it didn't matter. We scream sang them to ourselves. For the second time tonight. People thought we were drunk. Pop music came on and then classical. Before we knew it, we had been there 1.5 hours. I the had the thought. When do the trains stop running. That thought was enough to get us running to the metro.

The fountain show

As we approach, we notice many other people so we know we are not late. We get to a crowded platform. We tell eah other to hold on and push through the crowd. That's just what we did. We made it on along with 50 pother bodies. And we got the middle of the metro. Where there is nothing to hold on to. We take a wide stance and brace ourselves.  Knowing how clumsy I am, not holding onto anything on the metro is tricky.

We had to then switch from metro to train. We run and hop on one sitting at the platform. Relieved we sit down. For some strange reason I look back at the board telling where we would be stopping. Our station was not lit up. An old man notices us looking at it and asks where we are going. I show him, but he couldn't read that small print. So I tried my hardest and used my best Spanish trying to get him to understand. Finally, he understands and tells us we need to be a few platforms over. We ran over there ad found seats next to this girl. 

We had had so much sugar by this point and we were slap happy. We were attempting to say all of the Spanish metro stops in the most English way possible. We reaches Muntaner. We started saying it like Montana with a hick accet coming out as montaner. Then I said Hanner Montaner. We side laughing! While this was going on, the lady sitting next to Karli put down her book, took her ear plug out of the ear closers to us, and laughed at us. 

We eventually arrive at our station. Then we had to climb back up the mountain to our hostel. We arrived and immediately sat in the wifi section.

While on wifi, I searched Miley Cyrus tour 2014 and she actually was in Barcelona doing a concert that night.  Ha!  We were right!

Saturday June 14

We slept in until 9, but our noisy neighbors woke us up before that.  We headed up for breakfast. They were out of plates and some food. We still got a decent breakfast. Then we headed off to Parc Guell. 

It took a train, metro, and bus to get there, but we finally made it. We had to pay for tickets. Our time slot wasn't until 12:30 and it was 11:30. We were dead. So tired and hot. We sat in the shade for 30 minutes. Karli fell asleep. Then we decided to follow the music that we were hearing. That took us up a mountain-yay! So tired! We made it to the music and explored a little around there. 

We went back down for our time ticket. We were released into a mosaic wonderland. There were so many things to look.  

We took some pictures in the open area with a mosaic fence/seating area. It was really pretty. Then we went down stairs and found the lizard thing and mosaic houses. We ate in the park and then made our way back to the metro, beach bound.

Parc Guell

The metro was so crowded. Everyone wanted to be on the beach. We stopped off to get some water and one towel. Cold water costs more than warm water and the cold water wasn't even cold! When we arrived, there were so many people we didn't even know where to go. We went to dip our feet in the water for relief from the burning sand. We found a towel spot of space, which was all we had. We left Karli on the towel with our bags and lindsey and I ran for the water. \The water was colder than the day before but it still felt sooooo good. The sand was not little fine pebbles. It was rocks. Some small and some large. I am spoiled with the fine sand I South Carolina. We stay in the crystal clear water for a while. After playing in the water, we went back up and all three sat on one towel.  It was a struggle,, sharing a towel was no problem.  We sat with our backs to the sun for a while and then all laid down on the towel.  We decided that we should probably eat since we had spent a few hours at the beach.

Beach

We didn't want to eat in the market tonight because there wasn't anywhere to sit in the market.  There were several restaurants set up on the strip.  We ate at Mickey's.  It was nice.  There was some good food there.  We all ordered pizza. Again.  But it was good. I ate the whole thing and wanted more.  We then walked looking for souvenirs and ice cream.  We eventually found both.  I got some things and a yummy chips ahoy ice cream.  We walked the whole of la rambla again, so we went into the shopping center.  So much for a shopping center,  there wasn't much there, we couldn't find a way out, and you had to pay to use the bathroom.  As we left the shopping center, it started raining, so we headed for cover in the metro.  We decided to head back to the hostel.  

We walked up the mountain back to our hostel, dropped our things, and headed toward the pool  More water!!

Pool time

We walked to where we thought it was and we found a dead end.  So we took another path that lead us to the restaurant.  We then decided we should ask for help.  We waited in the bar and no one came.  Two americans saw us and asked what we were doing.  They pointed us in the direction of the pool.  We were walking the right way the first time.  We eventually found the pool and I was elated.  I couldn't have been happier.  We sat in the pool and talked until the guy came to close it.

Barcelona was amazing!  I left with great memories and a great sun burn.  I would go back and I would probably stay in the same hostel because it was the best hostel we have stayed in so far.  Ta and Cheers!

Teaching Week 1: Matilda, Indiana Jones, and America

Monday June 9

My first real day in the classroom. Mondays are quite different. But I think the children are finally accepting me.

I walked in the room and was hug attacked by all of the children. I was so happy.

We started off the day in morning assembly. All of the grades gather in the gym and the principal talks to all of the students. I don't know why, but the gathering reminded me of the scene in Matilda where Bruce had to eat the cake. There was no cake, but the students were presented with awards from their athletics competition. I had several cherubs receive awards for that. He also did a mini bible lesson.

Once dismissed, we had our own bible lesson. Today we talked about The Parable of the Lost Sheep. The children listened and then got to act out the parts (shepherd, lost sheep, and other sheep). The children were divided into groups of 5 or 6 and acted away. I was told to keep watch. They went crazy. I had 'sheep' baaing all over the room and 'shepherds' carrying their 'lost sheep' back to the heard. It was utter chaos. Each cherub had a chance to play every part. I had to go around asking them how they felt playing each part.

Maths lesson was next. Working with decimals this time. There is not much to screw up there. Thank goodness! I was assigned to the lower group again. They are really smart. If they were in America, they would be on grade level, but the others in the class are above grade level, which is expected. I just had to explain some things better and they got it no problem. Some of them even said it was their first time finishing their homework.

Lunch passed. After lunch, they went to the other Year 4 classroom and sang songs until the priest and bishop showed up. Some children had to go to a confirmation meeting.

After that we went to play time (recess) for the third time. I went outside this time because the sun was shining. I just told them I wasn't dressed appropriately and I said maybe some other time.

After play time, the children worked on their Egypt books. I got to wander the classroom and chat with the cherubs. I also had to cut out sarcophagus for the children. I mistakenly started literally cutting out the sarcophagus and my teacher yelled at me and told me that I was only to cut out part of it, leaving the boarder in tact. Two girls kept asking me questions. They asked if I had met Indiana Jones. I had to crush their dreams and tell them Indiana Jones was not a real person. They were actually devastated. They asked me how to say different things like 'naughty' or what I call chips and crisps. They were quite amused with that.

Not much to their days, but it was pretty good.

Tuesday June 10

We started the day again with collective worship. Today we talked about the Prodigal Son. They read the parable, takes about it, and prayed about it.

Next was maths. They worked with money decimals today. Ordering and adding decimals with money. I wasn't placed with the lowest group today, but the second lowest. I liked working with them. I just had a group of 4. It was nice. Dr. P showed up while I was working with them. He didn't stay long. That was fine. I don't know if I help them too much, or I am a better explainer than my teacher, but the children seem to understand it when I teach them individually or in small groups.

Lunch time.

I came back to the room and was assigned to work with the cherubs at the painting station for their Egypt books. I was given instructions on what to do and I was expected to do it. The cherubs were creating their own postcards. It was supposed to look like a sun setting on the pyramids. I had to mix red and yellow paint to get a lovely orange color. Then I had to lay newspapers on the table to cover up any potential messes (there were a lot). Then my teacher sent over students to begin their painting. It was supposed to be like orange ombre, but it ended up entirely orange. Whatever. Then they had to cut out pyramids. Sounds simple right, wrong. They were really struggling with that. I had them fold the paper and cut off the corners and then when it unfolded, it would be a triangle. Well that didn't quite work. Then we had to glue the pyramids to the soaking wet paper. And then glue the message to the back. This took a really long time.

Afternoon playtime. I went outside with the children. My children came running to me and wanted to play the hand game Down By the Bank. It is really simple. I remember learning it in girl scouts. They really love it. More cherubs from other classes join in too. It is fun.

After break, all the other cherubs had to paint. I picked the groups and had them just paint instead of doing the whole thing. That went a lot quicker.

Clean up time. Prayer. End of the day.

Wednesday June 11

We started with maths as soon as the bell rang at the beginning of the day. Working on the same things we did yesterday. I had to work with the lowest group again. It is just that they are really slow, not necessarily that they don't understand it. I really had to be on top of some of them so they would work.

I went out for first play time with the kids. I started playing down by the bank then they wanted to play little Sally Walker. I didn't know how to play, so I just stood back. While standing back, a little girl took my hand. She asked if we could walk around the playground. We walked for a while. While I was walking on the Yellow Brick Road with the little girl, some boys joined in playing little Sally Walker. One of the boys in my class had to copy one of the girls who did the splits. He ended up ripping his pants while attempting the splits.

After play time, a computer tech came in the room and my teacher told me to get up in front of the class and talk about what I will be teaching them. I told them I would be teaching 5 lessons on America. They all seemed pretty excited. Then I asked them if they had any questions. Boy did they! Almost every student's hand shot up. Most of the questions they had, I could answer with, "I will talk about that in one of the later lessons". That satisfied them. One cherub asked if Springfield from the Simpsons was real. I told him that there is a city called Springfield, but people with yellow skin do not live there. While this was happening, Dr.P walks in. Great! He sits down and starts listening. my teacher finally finishes up and tells Dr. P that I was just filling in while she was busy and that I was not teaching a real lesson. Whew!

Then she did a reading of a book, I guess you could call it that, over the World Cup. Each day, at 8:00 the author publishes a new chapter in the book. It includes details from the past nights games and includes a mystery. It was actually pretty good. I got asked to sit between Katie and Christian because Christian was being bad. Then we quickly headed to meet an author that came to visit the school. She has written many scary books. Her name was Cathy M something. She wrote 'The Other Me'. A movie about it is coming out soon. She got the children really excited.

After lunch, we headed back in with the author. She had the children come up with some scary situations. Once we got back in the classroom, the children were to write down their scary ideas so they could write a story about them later.

I stayed inside for this playtime because my teacher wanted to look over my lesson plan. I really didn't have it completely done, but she looked at it anyways. I don't think she particularly liked it, or even me for that matter. She is really scary and mean. She told me that she doesn't think that I will be able to get the whole lesson done.

The children came back in for their RE lesson. Their church lesson thing. Todays topic--Sin. After my teacher stopped talking, it was time for the children to reflect about what sin was and how you could build a bridge of friendship after you have sinned against another person and God. I walked around and observed the children as they worked. Some were very good and hardworking, and others were not.

Thursday June 12

Last day in the classroom for this week and I have to teach! Eeek! Not ready for this, but it doesn't matter. Its fine. I got this. Not really, but I have to do it anyways.

My teacher started checking RE books for the sin passages the children were supposed to write. The queue from her desk started growing. She barked at me asking if I knew what the assignment was. I told her the requirements and she had me start checking the books too. The students came over to me because they thought I would be an easier grader. I probably was, my teacher is really strict. After I check all of their RE books, the health teacher comes in.  

We sat in a circle, like we normal do and discuss change. We discussed how some change is welcome and some change is not welcome. The children had to talk about different changes they could encounter. Many talked about moving house or losing pet. I like the health teacher. She is friendly.

Play time. I went outside with the children. Like normal, I just played and watched them play. Time to go back in. PE class time. Thank goodness. I like the PE teacher too. Very nice and I don't have to do much.

In PE today, we played football because it marked the first day of the World Cup. The children were split into 5 groups with different color bibs (jerseys). They then had to choose a country flag with colors that matchesd their bib. The blue team choose USA. The PE teacher looked at me and I threw a fist victoriously in the air. During the games, The USA team would chant USA USA USA. It was pretty funny. We played several games inside. The children got really into it. The PE teacher and I talked for a little bit about how the children are super competitive about football because they all are on the same playing field. He asked if any sport was like that in America. PE finished and the students went back to the room and changed. 

Lunch time. The best part of the day. I sat and ate for 30 minutes. I was about ready to head toward my classroom to set up for the lesson, my teacher pops her head into our lunch room and told me that she was going into the classroom and I should follow her. I followed. 

I had a prezi that I wanted and needed to show for my lesson. I brought my laptop over so we could plug in into the projector. The tries different USB cords and nothing works. They she tries reconnecting the things to the computer to see which ones controlled what. We finally find the correct plug, but my computer doesn't have a place for that plug. Luckily, I did a prezi on a website, so I could pull it up anywhere. The computer moved so stinking slow!  But it eventually pulled up my presentation. My teacher then proceeds to tell me that she will be sitting in on my lesson. I absolutely did not want her in there, but I wasn't going to argue. I practices what I was going to say until the children came in. 

When they came in, they all asked if I was teaching now. And they cheered when I told them yes. I was so darn nervous. My teacher had a few things to collect and finish up, so she used my time for that. I needed that time. Eventually, I was up. 

I began by writing the WALT on the board (We Are Learning To). I literally just made it up because my teacher told me I needed one. I then began in on my all about me presentation. They were all listening very well. When I showed them pictures of my cats they all started talking about which one was their favorite. I regained their attention and continued. When I showed them the Biltmore and told them that it had 250 rooms. They again started talking. 

Once all about me was done, I moved onto KWL. I asked them what they knew about Indiana. They said a lot of random things. Then on to what you want to know. They said things like climate, feativals, gun laws, height of people, etc. they were all reall getting into it. They all had their hands up wantig to talk. 

Now about Indiana. I got through all of my facts and they were pretty good. I began talking about the project I wanted them to do. I explained the directions and sent some off for laptops. Mrs. Bennett pulled me aside and told me not to let the children turn on the laptops because it was almost time for afternoon play. 

Back in the classroom after break, I had everyone begin their projects. The laptops sucked and wouldn't work, so the students didn't get much accomplished. I was a little sad because I wanted them to get it done. Some children just didn't do their work. They were distracted. I kept putting them back on task. I think I made the fact sheet too hard too because hey kept asking me questions. They didn't know what I type in or even look for. I felt like that part was a failure.  

With 5 minutes left of class, my teacher told me to go make photo copies of all of the sheets so the children could take them home and work on them. I collected the sheets and made my way to the copier. I just stood there not knowing what buttons to press. I went back to the classroom and told my teacher that I wouldn't have enough time to print them all and then cut them all. She told me I would have time, so she sent me back to the printer with blank paper. I went to the office and asked the secretary if she could help me make photo copies. She said no because she was busy. She told me to find my helping teacher. As soon as I stepped out of the office, I found Miss. Kelly, out classroom aid. I asked her. Thank goodness she helped me make copies. I think I really looked deaparate. I got everything copied and I made my way back to the classroom. I handed the papers back to my students as the bell rang. 

They all left and I went up to my teacher to ask her how she thought it went. She said I told you so, referring to not having enough time for my lesson. I would have had time if the laptops worked. I left right after that because she makes me so mad.

Barcelona bound!  Ta and Cheers!