after this only one more week....:(

8-12-2010 Language arts 1

Lesson observation

Journal:
When you drink the water, remember the spring.

Students work on their journal. After that some of them need to tell what they think the journal means. Mr Padron explains that the journal is a Chinese proverb and explains the meaning of the words.
In this journal the word ‘water’ stands for life. You can’t live without water.
Spring means ‘source of the water’. So where it’s coming from and not the season because a lot of the students associated the spring with the season. (including me)
The proverb means: not to pollute the water.

After the journal:
The students work on their assignment they received last Monday. They watched ‘the Christmas Carol’ by Charles Dickens. Now they need to write a movie review for the local newspaper. They already started last Monday and need to finish the finally editing today.
The moment they finish it they need to switch papers with their neighbour and start editing the process of their fellow student.
They have 10 minutes for this.
This Friday they need to hand in the final version, typed in word.
After the editing the students start reading ‘the smallest dragon boy’ and need to answer question 1-5.
Mr Padron had to help Ms Gallant with a van. He used one of his fighting sticks. He practised martial arts for years like: I-kido, kindo and judo.
So I took over the class for a couple of minutes. Usually I always do that but now I was typing all of this and the students listened.
Now they start talking about the writer of the smallest dragon boy. After that MR Padron asks the question if you ever did something you thought you couldn’t do it but you had the motivation and courage to do it. And when people were doubting you. Many amazing stories came up.
Next they need to talk about motivation: feelings, needs, wishes etc. What motivates you to do something.
Then they need to write inferences. They still have 25 minutes to read the story and answer the questions.
Upcoming Monday Jenny is visiting me again. I will look at the questions with them and let them write a letter. This will be with language arts 4 on an A-day.


A small editing from me:

It’s strange to know that after next week my minor Internship is over. I love it here. My colleagues are extremely friendly and my supervisor is great.
He is a down to earth man and cares about his students. I admire that and all my colleagues are like that. He helps me whenever I need help and is always in for a laugh or joke.
The thing I really like here is lunch time. We lunch at 13:25-13:55 and everyone adds something to the table. I usually bring pickles for lunch because everyone here loves them.
Yesterday for example: Lisa brought a broccoli salad, Kevin had some leftovers from thanksgiving, Suri Anne had potatoes and meat and Way backed her own pizza.
It’s not just about the food but the spirit of sharing and having a wonderful, comfortable lunch that is what I will miss the most.
Also the students are nice children. Very responsible, always friendly and show respect.
Of course I’m very excited about my job at Sintermeertencollege in Heerlen but I will definitely never forget my internship at AFNORTH.
Next week I will bring along my digital camera and take pictures of my classes and colleagues.