How is it already February!? Maybe this is just the first time I've looked at the date in a month but whoa! February already.
Here's a look back at why January kept me so busy...
School starting again on the 12th was awesome. I am used to going back shortly after the New Year, so to have almost two full weeks was really nice. I guess half of the month was gone already.
Just before starting school up again my neighbors/co-workers had a game night. We played Settlers of Catan, a game I played a few times while at Somerset, but it's also one of those games where the people who play it are often a bit cut-throat and serious about it. Thankfully, there were too many of us so I was teamed up Rorey. I made suggestions every so often, but really Rorey called the shots. We actually won!
The first week back at school was the last week of a unit. So in a few days time we had to review all the things we had done and learned and create a final project. The project we had planned to do before the break fell through, so the final projects were a bit silly. But the kids enjoyed it and most did a great job.
That Friday, I joined the people I carpool with for a few games of pool. My father trained me well, so I thought. My skills were nothing compared to theirs! We played two games of boys vs. girls where the boys cleared the table before we even got a shot. Yet the girls won both games because the same guy scratched on the 8-ball. Twice. It was fantastic. And it was really nice to play pool again!
Saturday night was Poker night. I don't know poker so I watched and picked up a few tips and pointers. Next game I will lose 10 euros and give it a try.
And, as per usual, Sunday is spent planning for the week ahead. We started a new unit that I was quite excited about and am trying to make really hands-on for the students. It's going well, but requires a lot of prep and planning. And then there's math, reading, writing, phonics, cursive, homework, field trips, and so many more little things that have to be fit in as well.
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The art teacher planned a field trip for the 3rd grade classes to a local art exhibition. The guide only spoke Latvian and even though the art teacher and my assistant could have translated, one of my students volunteered to do it instead and even passed a few glances at the other two when they tried to help. This student once told me she hates field trips, but she looked pretty happy at this one. And she did a fantastic job translating from Latvian to English!! So impressive.
Speaking of Latvian, I've been taking classes. It's a slow process, but this last Tuesday it was just me in class. Ruta asked me several questions in Latvian that I was able to translate and answer! She probably felt like she was speaking to a three year old, but I answered. :) The more language class I take, the more empathy I have for my students with low English. I am really working on how fast I sometimes talk, but I know sometimes their little brains just can't keep up.
Last Sunday I took a break from planning and went to an art class. Yes, an art class. I am Far from an artist. As much as I would love to have the skills to draw a beautiful flower, it requires ALL my brainpower, not just the right side. It was surprisingly enjoyable though and I think I will go back. It's good to stretch outside of one's comfort zone.
This past week I went out on Monday night to the Fat Pumpkin. An adorable little gluten-free, vegan-friendly cafe in old town. We were celebrating a friend's new job in Peru. Sad to see her go this summer, but also excited for the opportunities ahead. On Wednesday, I went to sushi with a few more co-workers. And on Thursday, the carpool people gathered again for a movie night. Usually we watch a documentary, but this time we opted for American Sniper.
Friday was the Vocabulary Parade. All the elementary school students selected a juicy word and created a costume. Then we paraded through the high school classes and the middle school students cast votes for best costumes and words.
I spent all week trying to figure out a word. On Thursday I realized all the Christmas decorations were still in my classroom closet... I covered myself in tinsel and a goofy headband and was ornate. Of course, my students thought ornament which goes on a Christmas Tree and kept telling me I needed to be green. Also, red tinsel can and will stain your skin a lovely orange hue. Lesson Learned. All the costumes were cute and fun and the event went well.
Sadly, there is a nasty sick bug making it's way through the school and I had SIX kids out on Friday. I was bummed that they missed such a fun event and am hoping to see them tomorrow. I haven't had all my students since before the break!
And now it's February already. I am afraid to blink...
Here's a look back at why January kept me so busy...
School starting again on the 12th was awesome. I am used to going back shortly after the New Year, so to have almost two full weeks was really nice. I guess half of the month was gone already.
Just before starting school up again my neighbors/co-workers had a game night. We played Settlers of Catan, a game I played a few times while at Somerset, but it's also one of those games where the people who play it are often a bit cut-throat and serious about it. Thankfully, there were too many of us so I was teamed up Rorey. I made suggestions every so often, but really Rorey called the shots. We actually won!
The first week back at school was the last week of a unit. So in a few days time we had to review all the things we had done and learned and create a final project. The project we had planned to do before the break fell through, so the final projects were a bit silly. But the kids enjoyed it and most did a great job.
That Friday, I joined the people I carpool with for a few games of pool. My father trained me well, so I thought. My skills were nothing compared to theirs! We played two games of boys vs. girls where the boys cleared the table before we even got a shot. Yet the girls won both games because the same guy scratched on the 8-ball. Twice. It was fantastic. And it was really nice to play pool again!
Saturday night was Poker night. I don't know poker so I watched and picked up a few tips and pointers. Next game I will lose 10 euros and give it a try.
And, as per usual, Sunday is spent planning for the week ahead. We started a new unit that I was quite excited about and am trying to make really hands-on for the students. It's going well, but requires a lot of prep and planning. And then there's math, reading, writing, phonics, cursive, homework, field trips, and so many more little things that have to be fit in as well.
The art teacher planned a field trip for the 3rd grade classes to a local art exhibition. The guide only spoke Latvian and even though the art teacher and my assistant could have translated, one of my students volunteered to do it instead and even passed a few glances at the other two when they tried to help. This student once told me she hates field trips, but she looked pretty happy at this one. And she did a fantastic job translating from Latvian to English!! So impressive.Speaking of Latvian, I've been taking classes. It's a slow process, but this last Tuesday it was just me in class. Ruta asked me several questions in Latvian that I was able to translate and answer! She probably felt like she was speaking to a three year old, but I answered. :) The more language class I take, the more empathy I have for my students with low English. I am really working on how fast I sometimes talk, but I know sometimes their little brains just can't keep up.
Last Sunday I took a break from planning and went to an art class. Yes, an art class. I am Far from an artist. As much as I would love to have the skills to draw a beautiful flower, it requires ALL my brainpower, not just the right side. It was surprisingly enjoyable though and I think I will go back. It's good to stretch outside of one's comfort zone.This past week I went out on Monday night to the Fat Pumpkin. An adorable little gluten-free, vegan-friendly cafe in old town. We were celebrating a friend's new job in Peru. Sad to see her go this summer, but also excited for the opportunities ahead. On Wednesday, I went to sushi with a few more co-workers. And on Thursday, the carpool people gathered again for a movie night. Usually we watch a documentary, but this time we opted for American Sniper.
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| bandit, champion, calculator, eye, hazard direction, centimeter, metamorphosis calculator, ballerina, filthy |
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| Kristine: headphones ::: Mikyla: ornate |
Sadly, there is a nasty sick bug making it's way through the school and I had SIX kids out on Friday. I was bummed that they missed such a fun event and am hoping to see them tomorrow. I haven't had all my students since before the break!
And now it's February already. I am afraid to blink...
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