Welcome to Germany
Hello Eva and Kaylynn,
Welcome to Bamberg, to your classrooms, and to student teaching....and of course, welcome to our blog!!!
We know you have arrived safe, and that despite some last moment changes in plans, you have gotten processed in and settled on the base.
For your first blog posting, will you please just give us a quick week in review and overview of your classrooms and how you are settleing into life on a military base. Please respond by Tuesday the 25th.
Chris and Heidi
posted by Heidi @ 11:45 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Hello!
We have been busy since the moment we arrived! Since Axl had that accident, Eva and I have been left to do a lot of stuff on our own. From what I hear, in the past Axl usually helps the student teachers on the first day with paperwork and registering on base as well as a tour and overview. But, since Axl was unable to help us, his lovely daughter picked us up, and helped us get our ID card. After that Eva and I have spent many afternoons running back and forth getting our privilege card, groceries, the post office info, internet, and whatever else needs to be done! It has been a little difficult to adjust because every building has different business hours, and everything is closed by 7PM. Since we are at school until 3:30, things have taken us a little bit longer than they normally would. I am finally feeling settled, we took our first trip last weekend to Munich and Salzburg, Austria. I had a wonderful time exploring the cities and enjoying the new atmosphere.
As for school, I feel like I am settling in and becoming more comfortable with the students and Ms. Stellato. Through practicum experiences I worked with older kids, and at work I worked with infants and toddlers, I was nervous for 1st grade. However, I am pleased to say that I enjoy this age group, as well. I have been impressed with how much they know and the great things that they say. I am surprised at the number of meltdowns and tantrums that I have seen over the past two weeks, which was something I wasn’t expecting. These past two weeks have been a time for me to observe, through this time I have learned a great deal about each student and who they are as an individual. I am starting to get excited to start teaching and helping with the curriculum. I have been researching ideas and lessons that I might try out as well. Jessica Matson is currently student teaching in the Yakima Valley and we were just discussing the idea of pen pals between our classes. I want to bring creative things to the students so they become excited and entranced with learning without realizing it.
I feel like this class is a good fit for me, I have completed most of the coursework for the ESL endorsement (as well as the WEST-E). In Ms. Stellato’s class there are 8 ESL students. With those students I have the opportunities to use some strategies that I gained through the endorsement work. I also like the schedule and environment that Ms. Stellato has created. They do show a lot of independence and I see a lot of student voice. Over the weekend she gave me a book called The Daily 5, I forgot the authors but we discussed implementing this new style of teaching. I am very excited about this because the authors reference a lot of strategies, research, and authors that were introduced to us during the education program, to be launching something like this really gives me the opportunity to see how things are done, as well as, expected challenges and outcomes. The other day, Ms. Stellato wasn’t feeling well so we had a sub who let me run the show. I am happy to say it was a success, which helped me build my confidence up and I am ready for this adventure!
Eva and I are the only student teachers here this semester; it’s a little lonely since this apartment is made for a group of eight. We are on the hunt for some new friends and our teachers have been helping us with this. We have a packed agenda between taking over the classroom and traveling on the weekends. I am enjoying this place and very happy with my decision to student teach abroad.
When we first arrived it was a whirlwind, but it turned out fine. It’s taken us a long time to get situated at our place on base. After three weeks we are finally getting internet today! It took awhile because we had to process new forms to get access to the Px store where we could purchase an internet plan, and also the commissary where we could get groceries. We are still on the way to figuring out how to pay rent and how much it is, but it should get settle soon. Kaylynn and I were very welcomed by our teachers when we got here. Both took us out to downtown Bamberg for some coffee and cake, while we became more acquainted with each other.
Adjusting the military base has been a huge eye opener. Getting to know the students and their family backgrounds has already taught me how to adapt teaching methods and classroom management to suit their needs. It’s hard to even know where to begin, but I can tell that getting through this experience will prepare me for any type of school environment. I found it interesting that class sizes were smaller (around 20) and that DODDS provides specialty classes for students such as Spanish, Host Nation (learn about country they are living in), Music, P.E. and Art, which are each once a week for a half hour. Additionally, my cooperating teaching has a volunteer parent come into class to teach them more about the German language and culture, and the kids enjoy the activities. It’s important for them to be aware of where they are in the world and not forget they are in another country.
As far as the teaching style, management and curriculum go, I really appreciate how my cooperating teacher balancing it all. She makes the relationships between students and the teacher the most important thing. Once that is in place then learning is more effective, and I can see that happening in the classroom first hand. It is a comfortable teaching environment for me and she makes it easy to collaborate with. Ideas are being bounced off of each other and I feel entrusted. I think the biggest challenge so far is learning how to deal with the issues that children are going through, which are affecting their learning and behavior. One girl cried the other day because kids were teasing her about her father being gone to serve his deployment term. Then there are the more common problems of kids lacking concentration and rebelling against the class expectations. There are a couple reward systems in place. They can gain certificates for good behavior and also bumble bee stamps, both holding the child individually responsible for their actions. They can also get smiley faces as a class if they do well cooperating all together. They can then use those certificates to purchase a fun item at the “shopping center.” They kids seem to respond well to this system.
Right now, the students are learning about the Chinese New Year since it's coming up next week. They are also learning about money coins and nutrition. I've had the opportunity to teach a bit about sequencing. They wrote me the steps for how to make a sandwich (they chose what kind) and they were fun to read.
I didn’t anticipate finding as much cultural diversity, students with German parents or of other ethnicities. Something that I also never really gave much thought to was the fact I’d be surrounded by people from all over the United States at the school. I’ve really enjoyed that aspect and I’ve found that people are very friendly. It’s also pointed out to me how diverse America really is.
Overall it’s been a great experience so far. We’ve learned how to take the bus and train without getting terribly lost. Fortunately, we have taken some fun weekend trips in just the short time we’ve been here too. I look forward to learning and experiencing what else Bamberg and my classroom atmosphere have to offer.
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