We have been in beautiful Port Elizabeth for almost two weeks now. It still seems strange for me to type out South Africa as my place of residence. Even though I am currently sitting typing this in our South African flat, as they say, “The Republic of South Africa” seems like a far off and exotic land.
Anyway, on to the ‘meat n’ potatoes’ of this post. I have been very busy this week as it was my first official week at Pearson High School. As of now, I am currently working with two math teachers and my schedule is somewhat vacant. However, exams are next week and at the start of the new term, the teachers have assured me that they will fill it with more math classes and some social studies classes as well. The scheduling is a bit different than I am used to. Some of you may have experienced something like this, but it was a totally new concept for me. The school day is set up without an extended lunch period. Classes begin at 8:30 am (sometimes after an assembly or testing). There are two periods, then a 20-minute break where the students do not have a specified place to be. There is a cafeteria for the students to get food, and some courtyards where they can congregate. After the break, there are two more classes, then another 20-minute break. After that break, the students finish out the day with two final classes. The teachers gather in the workroom where tea is served and food that has been ordered is brought up. Although this part was new to me, it was not confusing or difficult to adjust to. Actually, the way the periods are set up makes a lot of sense to me and seems to break the day up nicely.
Here is the part that I cannot quite wrap my head around…
The students do not have the same class at the same time every day. Right now I am consistently with one class for their math, eighth grade, class e4. The ‘e’ stands for English and then the English-speaking classes are numbered. There is one Afrikaans class in eighth grade which I will have the experience of observing. (I doubt I will teach it unless I wake up at some point inexplicably fluent in Afrikaans!)
A couple of interesting side notes: in Pearson High School, they do not say eighth grade, they either call them by their class name, 8e4 for example, or describe them by saying grade first and then the number: e.g. grade eight. When addressing the class, many of the teachers will say “Grade eights, please open your books…” Something else that threw me off at first was that the teachers and deputy principal kept talking about how I was to work with the juniors. Every time I responded by saying that my license will be only up to ninth grade (assuming they meant grade 11). As embarrassing as it is for me to confess, I must say it took me two days to figure out that when they say ‘juniors’, they actually mean the lower grades: eighth and ninth!
Back to the confounding schedule….as I said before, the students do not have the same class at the same time every day. They are on a 10-day cycle and here is when I see my 8e4s. On day one: last period. Day two: first period. Day three: third period. Day four: second period. Day five…oh, wait, I only see them four out of the five days a week…moving on. Day 6: third period. Day seven: last period. Day eight: third period. Day nine: first period.
I am sure there is some sort of method to their madness, but I have yet to derive a reason that seems satisfactory. All I can come up with is to put the class at different times so learners who learn best at different times of the day can benefit…or, perhaps simply to change up the day.
I have guided a few lessons on surface area and volume; as well as scale and proportion. With the promise of more classes and greater flexibility after the break, I have been focusing on acclimating myself to the school. At this point I feel very comfortable with the staff and I am getting to know my way around the school. Right now the only things that seem to be consistent, however, are my 15-minute walk to school and my two cups of tea with cream and sugar!
The students start their exams next week, and then go on a two-week break. Gretchen and I are preparing for the arrival of our friend Meredith who will be spending a little over a week with us.
That is all I have for you now…but fear not, your thirst for visual and audio stimulation will be satisfied with this great video for all you eager science beavers out there!
Anyway, on to the ‘meat n’ potatoes’ of this post. I have been very busy this week as it was my first official week at Pearson High School. As of now, I am currently working with two math teachers and my schedule is somewhat vacant. However, exams are next week and at the start of the new term, the teachers have assured me that they will fill it with more math classes and some social studies classes as well. The scheduling is a bit different than I am used to. Some of you may have experienced something like this, but it was a totally new concept for me. The school day is set up without an extended lunch period. Classes begin at 8:30 am (sometimes after an assembly or testing). There are two periods, then a 20-minute break where the students do not have a specified place to be. There is a cafeteria for the students to get food, and some courtyards where they can congregate. After the break, there are two more classes, then another 20-minute break. After that break, the students finish out the day with two final classes. The teachers gather in the workroom where tea is served and food that has been ordered is brought up. Although this part was new to me, it was not confusing or difficult to adjust to. Actually, the way the periods are set up makes a lot of sense to me and seems to break the day up nicely.
Here is the part that I cannot quite wrap my head around…
The students do not have the same class at the same time every day. Right now I am consistently with one class for their math, eighth grade, class e4. The ‘e’ stands for English and then the English-speaking classes are numbered. There is one Afrikaans class in eighth grade which I will have the experience of observing. (I doubt I will teach it unless I wake up at some point inexplicably fluent in Afrikaans!)
A couple of interesting side notes: in Pearson High School, they do not say eighth grade, they either call them by their class name, 8e4 for example, or describe them by saying grade first and then the number: e.g. grade eight. When addressing the class, many of the teachers will say “Grade eights, please open your books…” Something else that threw me off at first was that the teachers and deputy principal kept talking about how I was to work with the juniors. Every time I responded by saying that my license will be only up to ninth grade (assuming they meant grade 11). As embarrassing as it is for me to confess, I must say it took me two days to figure out that when they say ‘juniors’, they actually mean the lower grades: eighth and ninth!
Back to the confounding schedule….as I said before, the students do not have the same class at the same time every day. They are on a 10-day cycle and here is when I see my 8e4s. On day one: last period. Day two: first period. Day three: third period. Day four: second period. Day five…oh, wait, I only see them four out of the five days a week…moving on. Day 6: third period. Day seven: last period. Day eight: third period. Day nine: first period.
I am sure there is some sort of method to their madness, but I have yet to derive a reason that seems satisfactory. All I can come up with is to put the class at different times so learners who learn best at different times of the day can benefit…or, perhaps simply to change up the day.
I have guided a few lessons on surface area and volume; as well as scale and proportion. With the promise of more classes and greater flexibility after the break, I have been focusing on acclimating myself to the school. At this point I feel very comfortable with the staff and I am getting to know my way around the school. Right now the only things that seem to be consistent, however, are my 15-minute walk to school and my two cups of tea with cream and sugar!
The students start their exams next week, and then go on a two-week break. Gretchen and I are preparing for the arrival of our friend Meredith who will be spending a little over a week with us.
That is all I have for you now…but fear not, your thirst for visual and audio stimulation will be satisfied with this great video for all you eager science beavers out there!
The Element Song
Coming to iPods everywhere!
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