Hello family and friends! I have officially been here for one month and, although I have been less than punctual with my posts, I HAVE been having a great time! I am finally feeling like I have a handle on my curriculum, I'm working out a way to facilitate two different grades of math & science at one time in a single classroom. My students are pretty special. In 2nd grade, we are currently working on plants, and exercising our grammar skills as well as learning a rad dance to 'Eye of the Tiger' (thanks, Wii dance) that we'll preform for the whole school on Thursday! We are also embarking on our first field trip this Friday 'Into the Wild'! My 5th & 6th graders are reviewing place value and gearing up for problem solving and algebra; we just finished practicing scientific enquiry (British spelling), Lab Procedures, Record Keeping, & Conversions. We'll work more on conversions later, but for now we're moving onto life sciences - we're exploring organs next week. I have big plans! So, although I still have a LOT of work ahead of me, I have a lot to look forward to, as well!
With the heavy load of learning and incorporating two different curriculum, as well as the policies and procedures of a new school in a foreign country, I have definitely felt some stress since my arrival. I have high standards and expectations for myself, and I want to help our students excel! I have managed to avoid burnout, though, as I am not allowing myself to work on Saturdays. Instead I have been venturing out and about in Kaiserslaughtern! I've explored a bazaar, a museum and the Japanese Garden, as well as shopped for some back to school and winter essentials!
I am enjoying my experience in Germany so far, and I feel exceptionally blessed to be here. My co-workers and flat mates are pretty great and I have some amazing friends here as well (not to mention my awesome cousins - I am so lucky)! I'm looking forward to more adventures, including dancing at a 'local' country bar, attending the legendary Oktoberfest, hiking in the local forest, and exploring some of the nearby historical sites! I will keep you posted. Maybe not EVERY week, but regularly! As always, I miss you. Please come visit. Tschuss!
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