School House Rock- Week One

Hey Hey everyone!!

So the weekend is finally here!! Lol I know for some of you reading this, you just "grr" and say it's Thursday... but it is likely that others of you reading this (college students and auxiliares) like me have Fridays off, so HAPPY WEEKEND!

I just finished my first week as a teacher here in Spain, and its definitely been an adventure. Last week, Elvira (my coordinator) gave my my schedule, and told me to come to the English department meeting which was at segunda hora (2nd period). I told her, but I have class first period, and she said, "Well, don't go, we'll get you set up at the meeting, and that's that."

So on Monday morning, I got up bright and early...well maybe not that bright, but it was early, and I hopped on the train and bus that took me all the way to my school. I made it just in time for 2nd period. I introduced myself to the front desk person, whom I hadn't met before, and asked to be pointed in the direction of the English Department. Then to my horror, she says, we were expecting you at first period in (x) classroom. MAJOR FREAKOUT MOMENT in my head. So I told her that Elvira told me to be there at segunda hora for the department meeting, before I was to start anything. Before she could respond I was rescued by Beatriz the English department head, who said everything's fine, and whisked me away to the English department. Along the way she showed me my classrooms.

Wait, did I hear that right? My classrooms?? I was under the impression that I was going to be a T.A of sorts, but as I'm sure a lot of us have realized during our time in Spain, rules and guidelines aren't exactly things that are followed to the tee. 

So I sat through the department meeting which consisted the majority of the time talking with a representative from Oxford, a publisher, and how they're using the new technology. Then other department issues, and then the bell rang, and I was to go off and "do my English thing" with the students. Again MAJOR FREAK OUT MOMENT in my head. 

Then 13 little people came into the classroom, sat down, all eyes on me, and it was show time. So since I had to think quickly on my toes, and make a game plan. Luckily my years of leadership experience, especially in the last year as "La Presidenta" I fell back on what I knew would do the trick, Icebreakers... lol. 

So I introduced myself, gave my little schpiel (not sure if thats how you spell it haha) about they can call me one of three things 1) Cathy- everyone in Spain calls their teachers by their first name, even in elementary school. 2) Miss Cathy or 3) Miss Smith. Two things they cannot call me- 1) Teacher- They have a name and so do I...lol and 2) Mrs. Smith, because that is my mother, and I am not married.

After that was out of the way we played the Name Game, where everyone gets in a circle, and has to say their name, and an adjective or phrase that describes them. The trick is they have to say the name and adjective of  all of the people who came before them, so the poor unfortunate soul to my right always ended up having to know everyone. This served as a good way to use time, learn new vocabulary, and reinforcement for me to learn everyone's name. 

My School- IES Leonardo Da Vinci

The last part of the class consisted of them getting to interview me. Everyone had to ask me at least one question, whatever entered their pretty little minds. At first I thought I was going to have to dodge some questions like do you like to party, or what is your favorite alcohol, but the kids are still pretty shy so luckily for me, the best question of the week was "Why do some people in the US call other people rednecks?" and another blessing, I was saved by the bell before I had to answer. 

The behavior has been pretty good, as good as you can expect with 12-18 year olds. There have been a few classes where I couldn't find a way for them to be quiet, but I think as time goes on I will learn new tricks for better classroom management. 

Its also been a crazy week since there are have been strikes, so on tuesday and wednesday, I only had 2 of the 4 classes I had scheduled that day. 

Well I think that's enough of an update for now, Thank you all for reading!! Still no Reader Spotlight for November so jump on it peeps lol. 

Much love,

Cathy

Here's a video from one of the demonstrations I attended for the strike last month.