Go away! Today is the beginning of a forecasted weeklong of rain. It is rainy, humid and around 75 degrees F here. Winter is full on now and it is declared the "wet season." We have been feeling it moderately in the past week or so starting to come upon us. The forecast looks terrible for the upcoming week, probably similar to what the Michigan is like. Hopefully it clears up for this weekend because we have holiday on Monday because it is Foundation Day here in WA. Gav and I are trying to plan an excursion for our CMU group this weekend to the Pinnacles. Which is an interesting desert located in Southern WA. We may be camping out and possibley sand boarding. Although nothing is set in stone because the sky is falling, we are trying to get things established.
I have had my phone off for a couple of days because I am trying align my last day here as a full month of service. I'll hopefully have a better post soon with pictures.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Friday and so much more
Today is Friday (for us) and that means the end of the week, the start of the weekend and stories will be made for Monday news. This week has been fun, I've learned a great deal about my own teaching skills. I have been receiving constant feedback from my coordinating teacher about the good and the bad, which is great. I've also been observed by my university coordinator Tom and he also provided great feedback for me to use in the future.
The reason for the title is becuase today is Gav's 31st birthday! Ness got him a couple things this morning and we will be having dinner tonight. Our CMU group has been invited and it sounds like we will have a pretty good turn out. Gav has done SO much for everyone on this trip so it is great that we all have a chance to give our respects.
The last two days Tim (CMU student) and I have wen kayaking and canoeing down the Swan River, which luckily for us is right at the edge of the school property. Being a PE teacher I have free access to the recreation and physical education equipment, so we've been taking advantage of that! Gav and Allison (CMU student) went with us yesterday and I was kicking myself for not having my camera. Maybe next time I go I will be able to bring it. There were dozens of different species of birds, different wineries and beautiful landscapes. Due to the increase in rain this week, everything is green and luscious, which provides one the positive aspects to precipitation!
There are more pictures that our CMU coordinator has posted HERE.
They cover some of our festivities of Margaret River; abseiling and caving, we also went on a wine tour and went surfing. That weekend was one of the best trips I have ever been on!
I look forward to posting on Monday, enjoy your weekend everyone!
The reason for the title is becuase today is Gav's 31st birthday! Ness got him a couple things this morning and we will be having dinner tonight. Our CMU group has been invited and it sounds like we will have a pretty good turn out. Gav has done SO much for everyone on this trip so it is great that we all have a chance to give our respects.
The last two days Tim (CMU student) and I have wen kayaking and canoeing down the Swan River, which luckily for us is right at the edge of the school property. Being a PE teacher I have free access to the recreation and physical education equipment, so we've been taking advantage of that! Gav and Allison (CMU student) went with us yesterday and I was kicking myself for not having my camera. Maybe next time I go I will be able to bring it. There were dozens of different species of birds, different wineries and beautiful landscapes. Due to the increase in rain this week, everything is green and luscious, which provides one the positive aspects to precipitation!
There are more pictures that our CMU coordinator has posted HERE.
They cover some of our festivities of Margaret River; abseiling and caving, we also went on a wine tour and went surfing. That weekend was one of the best trips I have ever been on!
I look forward to posting on Monday, enjoy your weekend everyone!
Monday, May 19, 2008
More Pictures
To view the pictures click on them, for some reason they don't seem to show up here, sorry.
Again, I have to apologize for the lack of pictures. I know I always so this, but I will try to get better at it. I've started to get used to not having a computer which I think is good, it keeps me active, and I learn to multi task at school. I've also started to learn to write long form lesson plans, and I feel for teachers who used to do that. (or still do) I provided descriptions of the pictures on the Flickr website so for more details look there or HERE
This past weekend was our Margaret River Trip. This is where our CMU group took a 3 hr (or so) bus trip south to Margret River from Guildford, WA. Guildford is about a 40 minute drive from Padbury (my home) and thank god for Gav, he dropped me off and picked me up, he is an angel. I know I've said this before but our group works well together. We all had a wonderful time and seemed to help each other out in those times when we needed it most. When people had tough times abseiling, caving, cooking or surfing we all seemed to pull together and make it happen, lovely!
I started full on teaching today. I had a pretty good time. I am learning a great deal, even just today. These students are not diverse racially, but nearly every other type of difference is present. From geographically, (some boarding here who live over 100 miles away) socio-economically to culturally and then some. I think this week will be a test of what stand my teaching will take, but I already see some respectful relationships between myself, the students and other teachers formed. I only can smile about how this experience has already shaped me both personally and professionally. I am looking forward to the next couple of months.
Enjoy the pictures, I hope for more to come.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Settling In
Yesterday (Monday) I met my cooperating teacher Brian Owen for the first time. There was a little bit of confusion at the start of my student teaching experience, and he was on leave, so essentially I have to play catch up this week. It isn't as bad as it sounds, for I have met all of the students and I have actually helped out the relief (substitute) teachers out quite a bit. So when Brian got back, everything transitioned smoothly. I am excited to be able to implement some American sports next week Hopefully the students respond well, they seem excited to learn them.
I was able to get on my bike this weekend, which was the first time in two plus weeks. I peddled down to the mall and then down to a marina. It was good to just get out and be able to ride around.
The winter season is creeping up on us. The weather has been marvelous since we have gotten here, but the rain is starting to increase. Being fortunate for the first two weeks, it has rained two times in three days here. That is expected, just tough to take in after the spoiling weather since we have arrived.
Last night I was treated to some spectacular food, a BBQ. Wonderful steaks, corn on the cob and a salad. I've been eating really well here, I have to stay active or this health teacher wont look so healthy.
Hopefully I can upload more pictures, I know the writing probably gets a little old, sorry.
I was able to get on my bike this weekend, which was the first time in two plus weeks. I peddled down to the mall and then down to a marina. It was good to just get out and be able to ride around.
The winter season is creeping up on us. The weather has been marvelous since we have gotten here, but the rain is starting to increase. Being fortunate for the first two weeks, it has rained two times in three days here. That is expected, just tough to take in after the spoiling weather since we have arrived.
Last night I was treated to some spectacular food, a BBQ. Wonderful steaks, corn on the cob and a salad. I've been eating really well here, I have to stay active or this health teacher wont look so healthy.
Hopefully I can upload more pictures, I know the writing probably gets a little old, sorry.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Friday
Today is Friday, that means coffee and tea day. The typical school day goes as follows: Period 1 - 8:50-10, Period 2 - 10-11 then Morning Break - 11-11:25, Period 3 - 11:25-12:30. Period 4 - 12:30-1:30pm then Afternoon Break (lunch) - 1:30-1:55, Period 5 1:55-3:00. So on Fridays, morning break is coffee and tea time, where pretty much everyone brings in a small snack or dish to pass. Everyone sits, eats drinks and gets the latest on school news. Then on Fridays, a small number of school staff go to the teacher's lounge for drinks. The faculty atmosphere is much different then in the states regarding their breaks. Both have their benefits.
Yesterday was our year 10 (sophomore) Lightening Carnival. This event is when all year tens sign up for a sport, (football, basketball, soccer, etc) pay $5 and then meet at a location to play other schools in the region. They do not have rewards or a "most athletic school award" which I thought was odd. I traveled with the boys soccer team where the head of the PE department and Gav were the coaches. There were not any formal referees, coaches didn't really coached just watched and it was set up as a bracket type event. It seemed as though it was more laid back and a type of recess activity. I decided to jump up and help judge the lines, which did help the game run more smoothly. The students played five 40 minute games with only one 40 minute break near the end. I am very proud of how well they acted. The level of the game was pretty poor but at this school and this level, just having good behavior all day is tremendous.
For tomorrow, Gav and I have organized a bus tour that will take us through the heart of the wine country. Almost everyone has decided to do it, so I am looking forward to it. I'll see if I can't get some good pictures of it. Sunday is Mother's Day, unfortunately I can't be there for my mum, so HAPPY MUM's DAY Mum!
There are more pictures located here
There are more information and pictures from our CMU coordinator here
Yesterday was our year 10 (sophomore) Lightening Carnival. This event is when all year tens sign up for a sport, (football, basketball, soccer, etc) pay $5 and then meet at a location to play other schools in the region. They do not have rewards or a "most athletic school award" which I thought was odd. I traveled with the boys soccer team where the head of the PE department and Gav were the coaches. There were not any formal referees, coaches didn't really coached just watched and it was set up as a bracket type event. It seemed as though it was more laid back and a type of recess activity. I decided to jump up and help judge the lines, which did help the game run more smoothly. The students played five 40 minute games with only one 40 minute break near the end. I am very proud of how well they acted. The level of the game was pretty poor but at this school and this level, just having good behavior all day is tremendous.
For tomorrow, Gav and I have organized a bus tour that will take us through the heart of the wine country. Almost everyone has decided to do it, so I am looking forward to it. I'll see if I can't get some good pictures of it. Sunday is Mother's Day, unfortunately I can't be there for my mum, so HAPPY MUM's DAY Mum!
There are more pictures located here
There are more information and pictures from our CMU coordinator here
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
PICTURES, finally...
The first are some pictures I thought were funny, look closely, then is a picture of our group.
The next four are pictures of us at rottnest Island doing a bike tour. We are searching and locating real sea monkeys. The next three are pictures of the Australian Birds of Prey showcase. I was a little upset the Eagle is just a tad out of focus, eh oh well. Enjoy.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Twosday
Feel lucky, postings two days in a row. I met another relief (substitute) teacher today who was filling in for Brian. (my coordinating teacher) I enjoy meeting people everyday.
I was able to play squash yesterday after school with Gav and another teacher. I am terrible at it, and got smoked each time I played, even when they were taking it easy on me. A weird but fun game. On the way home I caught my first Perth Sunset at Hillary's Boat Harbor. It was a decent sunset, Gav claimed it wasn't very good, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
School differences are seeming to become more evident. For example, Athletics aren't connected with the school. Each community has a set of sports clubs where the students join the club and then play other clubs in the area. So this then changes the whole community and school connection that so many USA schools take for granted. This also means teachers are very rarely connected with students outside of school. I only know of one teacher who is a coach, she is a girls PE teacher who coaches netball. (female sport) She is also one of the harder working teachers in the school because of it. The same but with twist.
I'm am making it a point to have pictures up sometime this week! Mark my words. I feel terrible about that. A little shorter but more frequent, take the good with the bad. Hopefully be back soon...
I was able to play squash yesterday after school with Gav and another teacher. I am terrible at it, and got smoked each time I played, even when they were taking it easy on me. A weird but fun game. On the way home I caught my first Perth Sunset at Hillary's Boat Harbor. It was a decent sunset, Gav claimed it wasn't very good, I enjoyed it nonetheless.
School differences are seeming to become more evident. For example, Athletics aren't connected with the school. Each community has a set of sports clubs where the students join the club and then play other clubs in the area. So this then changes the whole community and school connection that so many USA schools take for granted. This also means teachers are very rarely connected with students outside of school. I only know of one teacher who is a coach, she is a girls PE teacher who coaches netball. (female sport) She is also one of the harder working teachers in the school because of it. The same but with twist.
I'm am making it a point to have pictures up sometime this week! Mark my words. I feel terrible about that. A little shorter but more frequent, take the good with the bad. Hopefully be back soon...
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Monday
Sorry that I have been here over a week now and this is only my second post. I hope to get many more. Heaps of things have happened since the last post. Of the few people I have called, I have heard I am picking up the accent/language here, which I am psyched on. I am in a much more social environment with a younger couple who enjoys talking and taking me places where many people tend to be, which I love. The language is the same but different just as I talked about in the last post. They mainly have a different choice of describing words. As "Heaps" for "a lot" or "bloke" for "guy/male" and such. I hope to provide more with each post as I learn more. I find that I learn many every couple of days. Today I was actually able to meet the students I will be working with in the future. I have been blessed to have a cooperating teacher who took an extra week of vacation, but it is for good purpose, nothing to be upset about. With that I have been able to meet many other teachers in the PE and Health departments who I have observed. Physical education here is much different then what CMU is trying to progress toward. Here is more games and activities rather than teaching of sport skills. At least, that is what I have observed thus far in this early part of my experience.
On Saturday myself and the rest of the CMU group were able to swim with dolphins. We weren't taken to a tank and dropped in, rather we boarded a boat and were taken quite a distance off the coast and out of this bay. What happens is the skipper is at the top of the boat and finds dolphins, drives up on them and then three groups of six get pulled by a lead person. The leader has a battery powered swimming device that pulls the group around. Then a person dives down with one machine and stirs and plays with the dolphins so they come within a yard of the three groups at the top. This was amazing, for it was real, wild dolphins swimming with other dolphins, mostly mothers with their calves. The sounds they make are unreal, something that I'll never forget. It seems like it was so overwhelming and surreal that it was a perfect dream that I had one night. Although the pictures I took were from the boat, I wish they would upload, I'll have to try another time. (Sorry again for no pics)
After that, it was Jeremy's Birthday so we all when out to the Brass Monkey Pub together. It was fun to see everyone out of their shell. It wasn't a negative time at all, everyone had fun and enjoyed their time. Group events seem to have a different go and everyone gets along well.
There is the bell for 5th (last) period so I better run. Like I said I'll try to upload some pics at a public library sometime. I'm sure they would be much better to look at then my words. I'd like to know about how things are back home in the states; sports, news, your events. So drop an e-mail or send pics to my email. I miss everyone and hope they are enjoying the weather changing there. Later.
On Saturday myself and the rest of the CMU group were able to swim with dolphins. We weren't taken to a tank and dropped in, rather we boarded a boat and were taken quite a distance off the coast and out of this bay. What happens is the skipper is at the top of the boat and finds dolphins, drives up on them and then three groups of six get pulled by a lead person. The leader has a battery powered swimming device that pulls the group around. Then a person dives down with one machine and stirs and plays with the dolphins so they come within a yard of the three groups at the top. This was amazing, for it was real, wild dolphins swimming with other dolphins, mostly mothers with their calves. The sounds they make are unreal, something that I'll never forget. It seems like it was so overwhelming and surreal that it was a perfect dream that I had one night. Although the pictures I took were from the boat, I wish they would upload, I'll have to try another time. (Sorry again for no pics)
After that, it was Jeremy's Birthday so we all when out to the Brass Monkey Pub together. It was fun to see everyone out of their shell. It wasn't a negative time at all, everyone had fun and enjoyed their time. Group events seem to have a different go and everyone gets along well.
There is the bell for 5th (last) period so I better run. Like I said I'll try to upload some pics at a public library sometime. I'm sure they would be much better to look at then my words. I'd like to know about how things are back home in the states; sports, news, your events. So drop an e-mail or send pics to my email. I miss everyone and hope they are enjoying the weather changing there. Later.
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