Hi all! Sorry it has been soooooo long! I've been on survival mode for the last 6 weeks; learning a whole new school system. There are a lot of similarities: the kids, the politics, the playground, the computer lab...However, there are many more differences: textbooks for each student (only 10 anthologies to share with both classes), smartboards ("whiteboard" like board that works like a touch screen for a computer, you can have the kids write on it with an electronic pen, type, or double click with your finger), governing board vs. school board (essence is the same, but the governing board is more hands on and a bit more powerful), the head has a lot more power/control than a principal, 32 kids vs. 20, more art, more computer time, more mental math, less reading instruction, more analysing types of text, more PE, etc. The list could go on, but the main difference is the ideolgies. While we are more test based, they are more classroom evidence based. I have to hold onto everything we do in class and for homework. I also don't test anywhere near what I do in the States; so far, only weekly spelling tests. We didn't even give a math test at the end of the +/- unit. I'm still not totally sure how we know if they learned it all, but I'm sure that will become more evident as the year progresses. The main benefits that I can see are that the kids are less stressed and can be taught in a more well-rounded manner. However, there aren't many interventions for the kids that are low. I don't know if its just at my school or national. The new head is looking into getting loads more interventions in place. However, there is a national TV ad that says that 1 in 5 kids leave primary school not being able to read well. It has been fascinating to watch 2 schools become 1. We have made some fabulous steps and we have many more to make, but I think its really going in the right direction. I can't wait to see the end result. I may have to come back to visit...=)
Well, I'm off to Dublin and, possibly, Waterford for the half term! Write again soon!
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Sounds like a ton to learn but if anyone can do it you can! We were waiting for this update. We miss you but know you are having an experience of a lifetime and even though we are in the States being in North Carolina is a totally different culture for us. Enjoy your travels. Love Yvonne and Family
hi miss howder this is brittany and sierra your two goffyballs that are in 6th grade.we are so sorry that we havent been e-mailing you. We have been so caught up with sixth grade. We are also so very sorry that we didnt wish you a happy birthday. sierra is in site council and i am in student council. this week was red ribbon week and we have a danced this friday. There are no cute boys in 6th grade. We dont have any classes togeather but we work in the cafeateria together and we walk home together. There are no sports for us to join. So instead we cheer for all the sports in acms. Next year we are going to try out for the girls volleyball team. Teacher from england that you swicthed with is teaching 2nd grade and my brother got her. He said she talks funny so I am guess ing that means a funny accsent.(we miss you alot and the drama this year stinks) aka its a musical. No one can replace as a drama teacher. we know that the kids here love you and so do they. We miss you and we hope you are having fun
hey ms howder is the baptista family we just changed our name from hannah montana to disneylovers. well Are dance today and it was really cool!
love,
The baptista's(mostly brittany)
They're lucky to have you....teacher extraodinaire!!! Sure do miss ya but Very glad for Skype...Love, Mom and Dad
Hi Christy, We have been thinking about you and your adventure. It sounds like you are having a great experience. Lucas wanted me to tell you he finally got his first 4.0 for the first trimester, he is very proud of himself. We are as well, of course. No Halloween theme this year. Lucas went out with the boys this year and Greg and I dressed up scary and answered the door with our glass of wine. Relaxing, but we did miss the party and all our friends. Lucas played flag football for ACMS, he was captain of the defense. They went undefeated and won the championship, very exciting. The Hoyts came out to watch his game at the middle school in Rocklin and Luke has taken a few golf lessons from Shanon. Well that is all the news from the Conns. We hope you are having a great time! We look forward to all of your stories when you get back. Take Care and send more blog updates!!!
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