First Day of School!

March 6, 2017, was my first official day of student teaching in Alexandra, New Zealand! I reported to the Terrace School around 7:45 A.M. and met my cooperating teacher in the classroom around 8:00. (The other student teachers and I like to spend additional time at the school using the free WIFI, as it seems to be one of the only places we can access the outside world!). I had 27 students in my 5^th/6^th grade class today, and there are four sections of this level. (They call grade levels "years," so I am technically with year 5 and 6 students.) I am working with Mr. Murphy in the school auditorium/gym area, as several classrooms are under renovation. There are three classrooms in my area, all separated by a thin divider). Yes, this is interesting, as there is a basketball hoop, stage, pingpong table, couches, etc. all in the learning environment. Surprisingly, it does not seem to bother the students. I will attempt to get pictures for upcoming posts!

Below, I will outline my first day.

8:30 A.M. – Students report to the classroom and/or playground for morning play

8:50 A.M. – Morning bell sounds and students report to the classroom for roll call

9:00 A.M. – Students engaged in standardized testing (this was a listening test taken by listening to a CD recording

·      Students filled in their answers on a scantron answer key, yet the teachers have to grade each answer key by hand

·      No student really receives additional testing support, at least the two students in my class did not. This seemed much different than what I am used to, as there is no special education department or program here. Instead, students are fully integrated with occasional aides.

10:00 A.M. – Brain food break (this is when every class goes outside for some exercise. My teacher’s philosophy is to just get the kiddos running as much as possible, since we have a rather rambunctious crew)

·      This is similar to gym class in the states, but it is led by the classroom teacher.

·      Students get to eat snacks that they brought, and there is always fresh fruit set out.

10:20 A.M. – Students worked on their handwriting. This was the teacher stating sentences that the students had to copy down in their handwriting journals.

·      Example: I didn’t bring my pencil

o   They were working on contractions

o   I noticed spelling was difficult for many of the 5^th/6^th grade students.

10:40 A.M. – Students wrote a three paragraph weekend report. This included explaining three things they did during their weekend. The teacher checked these over when finished.

·      During the above two times, I worked specifically with one student.

11:00 A.M. – Play time (this is recess for the students and teatime for the teachers. Everyone gathers in the teacher’s lounge while a few teachers are on jersey – this means duty here!)

11:20 A..M. – Whole class read-aloud/Getting to know me!

·      There were so many fun questions about life in American and our school system.

·      One student was trying to ask me if maths were hard in America, and I had a bunch of trouble understanding him! (I thought he was saying “Is math hot?” or something.)

o    I am still getting used to the students’ names and Maori words!

11:40 A.M. – Reading independently at desks, small group reading (This is highly differentiated, as my teacher meets with several small groups of 1-3 students)

12:30 P.M. – 1:30 P.M. – Lunch and Recess

·      Students all eat on the sidewalk/grassy area in the courtyard of the school. There is no cafeteria.

1:30 P.M. -2:55 P.M. – Kiwiana lesson with 7^th/8^th grade teacher (Discussion over what makes Kiwis special for their upcoming Gala)

·      The teacher explained to me that teachers often have to relieve other teachers, and that this saves the school money by not having to hire additional professionals. Therefore, each teacher is allowed two full days of planning per term (or semester). It is somewhat unusual how this works out, but something I definitely want to understand better!

2:55 P.M. – School day ends

At the end of the school day, my teacher has bus duty because he is never on jersey during lunch or recess. This is very different from the States, as each bus gathers under a tree and signs themselves in using a clipboard..

**Note: The principal here has a brilliant philosophy for pairing students and teachers together, and it is something that i think could easily be adapted in the States. Mr. Anderson pairs teachers and students together based on personality and teaching style, with the hopes of giving each student the best chance for success. Therefore, you will notice some calmer classes and more energetic classes. I'm pretty sure I got one of the most energetic bunches!