BEANinNZ: November 2014

Teaching:

Today was my first day of lead teaching. It was slightly crazy, but not much more than a Monday typically feels. It was fun to be in control, but it actually didn’t feel as different to me as what I have been doing and have done in the past. The thing that is difficult to me is keeping track of time and keeping all of the children in mind at once, knowing that I am the one responsible for keeping each one on task. It takes a lot more energy to be thinking of everything at once. I think that it will also be a lot different when I have my own classroom where I have established a routine of my own.

One thing that is more difficult here in comparison with home, is planning. I am finding it difficult to think of plans and activities that don’t require the use of all of my materials at home. When I plan here, I have to think about what materials are in the classroom, then prepare for the lesson when I am at school.

My mentor teacher has been very supportive! I think that she was a perfect match for me.

Here are some pictures from school!

The children at Cockle Bay are provided with such wonderful opportunities. On Monday afternoons, we swim with one other class. We have only been able to do it once so far though because of all the rain.

Weather permitting, children may also read and practice sight words outside.

This was an older year group, but I was able to go with them to see what water wise is all about!

Meeting with a reading group.

Maths!

"We're all 6 now" crowns.

The fun thing about the children entering school as soon as they turn 5 and being places into classes according to their age and entry date, is that you can end up with a class that is all one age.

Adventuring:

This weekend I actually redid Rangitoto! Heather hadn’t gone, so we went together. It was a lot of fun even though it was my second time around. I don’t know if I could ever get bored of Rangitoto. The tramp is so much fun and so beautiful. Another thing that made this time fun was that the weather was so nice! The last time I went it was rainy and cloudy. Because of the sunshiny weather, I was able to get much better and clearer pictures. I was also able to experience, firsthand, how important sunscreen is in New Zealand. When I got back, I noticed that my face, neck, and right arm were burnt! Although we were exhausted (and I was sunburned), Heather and I still conjured up the energy to stop at MoMo Tea (to get, what we learned is not, bubbe tea) and walk down to Cockle Bay Beach because the weather was so wonderful.

Just relaxing after a long tramp up a volcano...

At the top of Rangitoto!

Look how beautiful that view is!

Sometimes it's fun to have to ask strangers for directions. Especially when they, also, have no idea where they are going. Don't worry, I figured it out!

Such clear water! The ocean here looks as clear as bath water.

Treetops

"WHY WORRY"

Meeting new people everywhere we go! One person from Brazil, and the other from Sylvania. They met each other in a Hostel the previous day, then went to Rangitoto together the next! Both are traveling on a working holiday visa. The thought of a working holiday visa is becoming more and more appealing to me.