Last week we spent the majority of our week at our school training, having staff and department meeting and setting up our classroom. Luckily, the English and Science departments are in the newer building while the rest of the departments are in these huge Fale's. Below is a picture of what this fale looks like. It is split up into 6 or so classrooms.
Even though I have a pretty nice classroom compared to others, I still had a lot of cleaning to do before it was ready. There was so much crap and dirt everywhere. Also one of my closets, which is made up of wooden shelves was half eaten by termites. So awesome. But I pulled up my sleeves and cleaned away. I swept, mopped, wiped down desks and shelves and books and what not. I also threw away a lot of stuff that was just hanging out in my desk. I even found an unused diaper in my desk. Anyhoo below are 2 pictures of my clean room. I think I am ready to teach tomorrow.
So I found out on Thursday that I will be teaching 5 classes of 11th grade English. 3 classes of proficient which is like advanced in the states, and 2 of mainstream which is like general. I find it interesting that I am teaching this grade level because it was the first English class that I took when I moved to the states. American Literature. What does a Canadian know about American Lit?! Kidding. Thankfully I have a text book to teach from and a head full of memories from Mrs. Hollaman's class. Was that her name?
But I am looking forward to putting my input into the curriculum because I have so many ideas that I hope will get the kids active and willing to learn. We're supposed to study the play The Crucible by Arthur Miller. It is one of my favorites so I can't wait to see what I can come up with for that.
On unrelated note, kind of, the high school football season started on Saturday. Leone was up first. 9am game against some private school on the island who's name I cannot remember. Anyway, the game was a blowout. As you can the Leone Lions gave the other team a smackdown. It was pretty awesome to watch. These kids play hard and play awesome. Cannot wait to watch some more exciting games as the season goes on.
I'm off for now. I will blog sometime this week to let you know how the first few days of school are going.
Love to all.
I had my first day as a WorldTeacher in Pohnpei, FSM today. It was pretty great, although one of my students did ask if I would go out with him. Awkward. Hope your first day was awesome!!
ReplyDeletehi Mr. Ross! you will do great! it will be a challenge with those two classes but having a heart to heart talk with them may work. I remember telling my students that it was my job to teach them and even better with you, you are given your time to do so! and their job is to learn it and if they were not interested to let those who want to learn, learn!
ReplyDeletei also used to throw my little phrase " Missed opportunity"!
you can always bribe them with a behavioral control chart with a reward at the end of the month! and those who mess up, do not participate. I know it is kind of childish but you never know what works or not until you try it!
I also had them come up with their own rules and when they were violated the reign of terror began!
enjoy yourself and relax! have them be part of the class and teach a chapter or a lesson then they will realize what it is like being in your shoes!
cynthia