As of Late

Well, I haven't written since the weekend, so it's probably time for some updates.

School this week is going SO much better. I played "vocabulary bingo" with my eighth graders, and they really enjoyed it. Even the "bad" class was participating, and even the sleepers were awake. I am going to try and do many more review games as we prepare for the exams next week.

*****break.....go to class and try partner "Speed Interviewing"****

WOAH....nevermind, that class cannot handle so much freedom after all! It amazes me how different my two eighth grade classes are! Just got back from total mass chaos, and the students were not taking the activity seriously or staying on task at all. However, I will still try again tomorrow because that class is usually much more mature and offers more potential. The behavioral issues here still astound me compared to the United States. I wouldn't even say there are more discipline problems, they are just SO different. Many issues of immaturity with the students here that we often don't see in the states. I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but I need to be attentive at all times but looking for different things.

As the 14 weeks comes to a close, all teachers must give their students reading, writing, and speaking assessments. These exams count as a large portion of the students' grades. I can now evaluate high-stakes testing pressure first hand and comment on the tendency to "teach to the test."

The writing assessment for all students is a persuasive essay this time around. I have bent over backwards trying to think of creative and engaging activities to teach the students the format of a persuasive essay. Test day was Wednesday, and I was WORRIED. I felt like I had done everything in my power, and it was up to them. However, I have just finished grading and most students did really well! It's just such a different approach here, though, you really need to scaffold because of the language barrier. I allowed students to use a prewriting graphic organizer for one period and review the requirements before writing. It was funny even to grade their tests, because lots of words I would normally use to leave comments would be unknown to them, and therefore, must be left out of mix.

Yesterday, the grade seven students had "health examinations." I went along just to see what it was like and it was quite the experience! The students had a full-body exam, including testing for nutrition and seeing a dentist! Far more thorough than in the United States, and quite entertaining to see the students running around chaotically and comparing health reports, speeding down the hall with urine sample in hand!

Some funny things from the domestic angle as well! Last night, before Harriet got home, someone rang the bell. I went to answer the door, expecting it was probably someone I wouldn't be able to understand, and sure enough it was a Taiwanese woman who had a booklet of pink papers. She kept trying to tell me something and I simply repeated, "I don't know, Sorry!" in chinese...some of the few words I know! Then she pulled out $100 and was trying to signal, I thought that the pink card cost $100, so I said "I'm not interested (English) Sorry! (Chinese)!" With that, I closed the door. Only later did I find out it was the building services cleaning lady coming around to collect the $100 payment that was due!! I thought it was hilarious and felt horrible at the same time....Harriet says, she will be back though!

Also, I got my hair cut last night! Harriet met me at the salon to explain how I wanted it, rather than trying to tell the girl over the phone. So, I sat down and the hairdresser started looking at my head and asking some questions in chinese, which Harriet translated: When did you shower last? What time do you go to bed? Do you drink a lot of water? I was a little freaked out wondering what their analyzing woulc conclude, and finally Harriet explained that the hairdresser thought my head indicated that I was dehydrated! Well, maybe true, better news that I thought I would hear after the interrogation! Again, I had the funny-miserable-amused feeling that comes with being a foreigner who doesn't speak the language. Anyways, the haircut was great, and only cost $250!!!! What a deal, right? Actually, that is about $9 American and no tipping necessary...I like this place!

Tomorrow is my first observation at school by my supervisor, so I have some adjusting to do, after my not-so-functional activity today. I am going to go out on a limb and try it, still, though, because this is the time to try things and see what works!!