"Der April, der April, der weiß nicht, was er will"
ANYWAYS, today started with a fraction lesson taught by... me!
These students have not worked with fractions at all yet, AND there is a bit of a language barrier between us, so I went about fractions a little differently than I did in the States. Cue hand motions galore, math theater (I totally just made that term up), and manipulatives on manipulatives. I had to scaffold the mathematical terms a ton ("I say, you say" was a hit - thanks Stef!), but all in all, I saw a lot of similarities in thinking between both groups of students that I have taught. I started by posing an equal sharing situation with one chocolate bar being shared between two children, four children, and then eight children. Then I gave each table group (each with a different number of students) a "cookie" and had them share the cookie equally between themselves. We also discussed which students would get the most cookie and the least cookie and related this to fractions. Because the students were able to relate this situation to real life, they were able to use their reasoning to figure out solutions even on their first day working with fractions. I think this lesson was a good reminder to me to always set my expectations high. Students are capable, but it is the teacher's job to give them the opportunity to think.
1. Religion is taught in schools. Students are taught Christianity at Max-Eichholz-Ring but can choose to take other religion classes when they are older. Update: I actually learned from my host father that part of the Germany constitution allows children to choose their own religion at age 14.
2. Students use technology to learn English!
3. Students' school supplies (mainly their book bags) are old-school and awesome.
4. I brought some American transition phrases into the classroom, and students think "1, 2, 3 eyes on me... 1, 2 eyes on you" is THE coolest phrase of all time.
5. Mondays are Mondays everywhere. They will be a little chaotic, and that is life.
6. Students' birthdays are celebrated in the classroom! There were two student birthdays over the weekend, and we spent 30 minutes today celebrating these birthdays. There was an English birthday song, and then each student was given a chance to go over to shake the birthday boy or girl's hand and wish them good wishes over the next year. Usually the wish went something like, "Happy birthday, and I wish you good friends, good times, and a good life!" It was adorable. After the students gave their wishes, it was time for cake!
This post is full of random rants, but there is just so much to share. Continuing with my day... I caught the bus home for a delicious meal with my host family. It was my host sister's last day of school, as seniors here get out early to study for an exit exam (the Abitur), so my host father made some of her favorites: gnocchi and pudding. Sooo good!
This was a super long blog post for one day's recap, and I am off to bed. Happy Monday everyone!