Former Expat Teacher Acclimating to the American Way!

Im tired. But only because I went to bed late.No kids at school but I cant even do decent searches at school because everything is blocked! So I sit here, surrounded by paper, scouring the internet with 4 windows open making lists of age appropriate books for themes,making a (new) list of what I want to bring back,looking at resources I currently have,checking and conversing on facebook,and checking out resources online. Either I am a super multi tasker or my ADD is working in my favor. Time for ice cream, latin dance class, and a movie (and on a school night nonetheless!). I feel like Im not blogging as much but I DO have posts to come.Theyre in my head and in my computer (in the form of files/pics/videos).

Its not often  that I say this but Im glad its Thursday. What Im about to say could rub someone the wrong way but I dont care and that could rub someone the wrong way as well. What I am about to say needs to be said,needs to be considered by those coming over,and by some that are already here.Take it for what you will but remember,at the end of the day,its about what works best for kids. disclaimer :none of this is to say or imply that I have all the answers or even most of them.just my humble opinion,with a little knowledge backing it up :-) . And this is not aimed at one school over another as all schools need a lot of the same things. There are some things the schools are trying to move toward,some at a faster pace than others. How fast a school moves toward that place has a lot to do with the teachers in the school as well as others in leadership positions. As a teacher, I feel it is my job to stay informed about BEST PRACTICES and implement them to the best of my ability...

and might I add that I will probably add another page to the blog to consist of lesson activities and ideas to use in class to include pictures of items I make or purchase (cheaply) from surrounding stores.

In classic B fashion,the PD began to come together well this morning in my mind. I knew roughly what I was doing but bits and pieces came to mind as I did this or that.This is what I did and why: So we have standards for phonemic awareness,talking/listening,writing,reading and these are the same for us teaching in English and the Arabic teachers teaching Arabic. The need? for the children to do center activities to learn these things,less paper/pencil activities,less sitting,more participation,more activities that allow for authentic assessment. Possible solution? A PD that is translated let me back up...that is INTERESTING to someone who speaks English SL or possibly not at all. So :interesting,easy to duplicate,relevant to what you need to be doing in class,fun for the kids,etc. My teacher translated for me after each segment.The teachers seemed interested and seemed as if they just might duplicate some of these activities to teach Arabic to the kids. I enjoyed it,it was...

The Arabic teachers make some of the best food. We enjoy eating on a daily basis. However, I dont think they like our food as much as we like theirs. Its ok,scrambled eggs for breakfast are wonderful but Id take this spicy Arabic dish any day over something I can have any time I feel like it. Still packing my room. Man, I have a lot of things. Also got some things from a teacher who is going to another country. So grateful for those things. A bit sad to see her go but its an opportunity for her family so thats always good. Also another teacher is leaving. She and I had a lot of the same ideas about approaches to learning and bounced ideas off one another. Shes moving up in the ranks so thats a good thing for her. I know shell do well. WHO ARE WE GOING TO HAVE NEXT YEAR? idk but not going to worry my little head over it now. Currently prepping for my PD on wednesday. Have to collaborate with my AT for translation else all this will be for a lost cause. I hope we have some goo...

absolutely no kids today.... and I was the only sad person lmbo

PICS COMING SOON! Theyre supposed to be coming back until the 23rd but now that Im home I feel this may be the beginning of the end. Saw many parents,got some (surprise) kisses and a parent told me she loved me.Neither of these people have I met before (knowingly). ...and I cried! All of a sudden it hit me-with all these parents in the room.And it felt like the end. I hope they know how much I enjoyed teaching their kids and how I love them so :-)