Happy Easter weekend! We are going to Berlin for the long 4 day weekend, so I thought I'd try to sneak in a quick post before I leave as I will not be taking my laptop on this trip.
This week in school has been spent doing many Easter activities. Students completed activities focused around Easter in reading, math, and art. They painted these adorable little pots, which will hold their Easter eggs during breakfast on Easter morning.
Beyond this I have taught a few lessons on fractions! Some of them went better than others, so this is learning experience for sure. :) Monday's lesson went really well. On Wednesday I wanted to continue the Easter theme and do fractions with chocolate. I had a harder time with this lesson because it was more discussion-based, yet there was a language barrier between the students and myself. I found myself trying to ask deeper questions about the more simple task at hand, but unable to communicate them effectively to the students. While I tried to ask questions to guide students to discuss the meaning of 3/4, they were thinking more procedurally than conceptually, which was not a bad thing, but just not something I anticipated for students who had never been exposed to fractions before! Anyways, for me this was a learning experience as a teacher! It is SO important to know your students and their needs. It is also important to set up your expectations at the beginning of the year! While I believe strongly in accountable talk, it was incredibly difficult to use this in a classroom that I do not know as well.
Today I worked with a few students on the "submarine problem," which challenges students to compare different fractions through equal sharing problems. It was so interesting to work with the students on an mathematical exploration. Many of them solved the problem in their head, but had a really hard time showing their work. Fraction notation proved difficult. We decided to back up and actually use strips of paper to represent the subs. While we did not have enough time to finish during the 45 minute math period, the students' work showed evidence of deep mathematical reasoning.
This week in school has been spent doing many Easter activities. Students completed activities focused around Easter in reading, math, and art. They painted these adorable little pots, which will hold their Easter eggs during breakfast on Easter morning.
Beyond this I have taught a few lessons on fractions! Some of them went better than others, so this is learning experience for sure. :) Monday's lesson went really well. On Wednesday I wanted to continue the Easter theme and do fractions with chocolate. I had a harder time with this lesson because it was more discussion-based, yet there was a language barrier between the students and myself. I found myself trying to ask deeper questions about the more simple task at hand, but unable to communicate them effectively to the students. While I tried to ask questions to guide students to discuss the meaning of 3/4, they were thinking more procedurally than conceptually, which was not a bad thing, but just not something I anticipated for students who had never been exposed to fractions before! Anyways, for me this was a learning experience as a teacher! It is SO important to know your students and their needs. It is also important to set up your expectations at the beginning of the year! While I believe strongly in accountable talk, it was incredibly difficult to use this in a classroom that I do not know as well.
Today I worked with a few students on the "submarine problem," which challenges students to compare different fractions through equal sharing problems. It was so interesting to work with the students on an mathematical exploration. Many of them solved the problem in their head, but had a really hard time showing their work. Fraction notation proved difficult. We decided to back up and actually use strips of paper to represent the subs. While we did not have enough time to finish during the 45 minute math period, the students' work showed evidence of deep mathematical reasoning.
Interesting fact: Teachers get reimbursed for anything they buy here! My teacher told me to let her know how much the chocolates cost, so the school could pay me back.
This evening Kelly and I made our way to Altona! We set out on a mission to go to the beach, but quickly abandoned this idea in favor of exploring the beautiful walkways along the harbor.
While walking we stumbled upon the cutest little bier garten and cafe. We stopped for a drink and had a really wonderful conversation about all of the things that we are LOVING about Germany. Some of the highlights:
1. Public transportation. It is absolutely amazing to be able to hop on a train/bus and go wherever you want to go. There is a certain calm, relaxing feeling during the commute as well.
2. The slower pace of life. People enjoy each other, and it is wonderful.
3. The long conversations that happen at meals.
4. (Stealing this from Gabrielle, but so true) - Not getting phone or Internet service all the time. I truly feel like I can immerse myself in the moment without worrying about staying connected. It's refreshing.
5. "Hot meal" at lunch. I just think it is so nice that the family gets to sit down together in the middle of the day to enjoy lunch.
While walking we stumbled upon the cutest little bier garten and cafe. We stopped for a drink and had a really wonderful conversation about all of the things that we are LOVING about Germany. Some of the highlights:
1. Public transportation. It is absolutely amazing to be able to hop on a train/bus and go wherever you want to go. There is a certain calm, relaxing feeling during the commute as well.
2. The slower pace of life. People enjoy each other, and it is wonderful.
3. The long conversations that happen at meals.
4. (Stealing this from Gabrielle, but so true) - Not getting phone or Internet service all the time. I truly feel like I can immerse myself in the moment without worrying about staying connected. It's refreshing.
5. "Hot meal" at lunch. I just think it is so nice that the family gets to sit down together in the middle of the day to enjoy lunch.
6. German beer. Enough said.
7. Tea!
8. Breaks at school where teachers actually take a break. Novel idea.
9. People that come up and ask you questions in German... and are still interested in talking to you when you tell them that you speak English! I am amazed at how many people know English in Germany. I also cannot believe the number of times I have been approached and asked a question. Maybe I look like I know what I am doing. Most people immediately switch to English and will continue talking to you/help you in any way they can! I have had a woman help me order food in downtown Hamburg, and today I made a friend on the subway after I was asked if the train had already passed a certain station. We talked for a really long time about the state of Arizona? Whatever works.
10. THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO BERLIN IN THE MORNING!
My hands-down favorite quote from the conversation, however, happened, as an un-leashed dog (which is very common) came running up to the cafe, got a drink of water from a bowl, and ran back to its owner. "Even the dogs are responsible in Germany." Seriously though, there is such a sense of responsibility and ownership of one's actions in Germany. There are not nearly as many rules or regulations, and while yes, public urination is a thing (as we witnessed at the soccer game)... people are responsible. While out, I have not seen anyone that is belligerently drunk... even though the bars were open all night. While at the zoo, nobody tried to antagonize the animals... even though there was no barrier between the people and the animals. And the trend continues anywhere you go. This is just an observation that sparked interesting conversation tonight.
7. Tea!
8. Breaks at school where teachers actually take a break. Novel idea.
9. People that come up and ask you questions in German... and are still interested in talking to you when you tell them that you speak English! I am amazed at how many people know English in Germany. I also cannot believe the number of times I have been approached and asked a question. Maybe I look like I know what I am doing. Most people immediately switch to English and will continue talking to you/help you in any way they can! I have had a woman help me order food in downtown Hamburg, and today I made a friend on the subway after I was asked if the train had already passed a certain station. We talked for a really long time about the state of Arizona? Whatever works.
10. THE FACT THAT WE ARE GOING TO BERLIN IN THE MORNING!
My hands-down favorite quote from the conversation, however, happened, as an un-leashed dog (which is very common) came running up to the cafe, got a drink of water from a bowl, and ran back to its owner. "Even the dogs are responsible in Germany." Seriously though, there is such a sense of responsibility and ownership of one's actions in Germany. There are not nearly as many rules or regulations, and while yes, public urination is a thing (as we witnessed at the soccer game)... people are responsible. While out, I have not seen anyone that is belligerently drunk... even though the bars were open all night. While at the zoo, nobody tried to antagonize the animals... even though there was no barrier between the people and the animals. And the trend continues anywhere you go. This is just an observation that sparked interesting conversation tonight.
We finished the evening with subs from the station. I cannot get over how good the food is everywhere I go. You would think train station food would be similar to airport food. Nope. Although it may not be the best food picture I have taken, it was still delicious.
When I got home, I went to my room to (try) to pack for Berlin. Not an easy task when you didn't even pack properly for Germany to start with. I'm still trying to figure out why I didn't take anyone's advice when they told me I didn't need dress clothes and that it would be cold. Too. Stubborn. Packing didn't happen for a while, but I did enjoy some good laughs with my older host sister Jose over our ridiculousness of Facebook chatting in the same house and procrastination of packing/sleeping... and on that topic, I need to get some sleep before this early train in the morning!
I will leave you guys with this ADORABLE Easter card my younger host sister brought to me before she went to bed.
When I got home, I went to my room to (try) to pack for Berlin. Not an easy task when you didn't even pack properly for Germany to start with. I'm still trying to figure out why I didn't take anyone's advice when they told me I didn't need dress clothes and that it would be cold. Too. Stubborn. Packing didn't happen for a while, but I did enjoy some good laughs with my older host sister Jose over our ridiculousness of Facebook chatting in the same house and procrastination of packing/sleeping... and on that topic, I need to get some sleep before this early train in the morning!
I will leave you guys with this ADORABLE Easter card my younger host sister brought to me before she went to bed.