Irish Life

I have now spent two successful weeks at Gaelscoil Na Cruaiche.  I have enjoyed every minute that I have spent at this school and now feel as if I am family.  The school itself is small with only 200 students, and one teacher per grade.  The class sizes range from 25-30 students who have all been together since they were in junior infants (our kindergarten).  During our walk through the Principal told us that parents start to put their child on a waiting list for this school at 4 months of age. 

Every Monday and Friday, the students come into the hall (our gym) in order to have announcements and awards.  There are many awards given on Monday such as "Best Irish Speaker,” "Kindness Award,” and Birthday Awards.  A student from each rang (class) is given these awards each week.  It works itself out to where most of the students get awards during the school year.  After this time is over the students will return to class where they will study English, Irish, Math, Reading, Choir, Violin, and even French.  This school is very focused on the arts and incorporates them into the daily schedule. 

Another difference between this school and schools in America is that the students here have two breaks during the day.  One of them in the morning for 20 minutes where they eat a snack brought from home, and can go out to play if the weather is permitting.  Then later on during the day the students have another break that lasts for 45- 1 hour for lunch and outside play.  The students again eat a lunch from home because there is no cafeteria inside the school to provide them with a lunch.  Having the two breaks allows the students to rest their brains and refuel for the rest of the day.

I began teaching on Tuesday about the Regions in America.  From here I learned that most of the students base their knowledge off of what their parents have told them, what they have seen in movies, and what they know from traveling over there.  My students were interested in learning about tornados and hurricanes.  They also wanted to know a lot about major cities in the US which unfortunately I had never been to, such as New York, and San Francisco. Next week I will continue to teach about American School and Kentucky.  The students are excited to see the difference between their school and schools in the United States.  I believe that they will be shocked to find the difference.

I am having a great time here and plan to travel to Galway this weekend to do some Christmas Shopping.  I am excited about Christmas Shopping because I am ready for the holiday season.  I believe that this will make me miss home a little less especially during the next week, because Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

STUDENT TEACHING IS....

hard work, taxing, time-consuming, rewarding, busy, active, tiring, sleep deprived, but I would not have it any other way.

I can honestly say that I love being a student teacher, or even a teacher for that matter. It takes a lot away from you but it gives so much more back. I know that it is worth it when I see a group of students understand the materials. I know that it is worth it when I get hugs at the end of the week before they load the buses. I know that it is worth it when students tell me that they wish I were their mom or that note taking was fun with me because learning was like a party. I know more and more every day that this is where I am supposed to be. When I student teach I feel so blessed and rewarded.  I know that I am touching lives by the high fives, fist pumps, hugs I get as I walk down the hallway. I see that I am teaching student beyond the classroom, and I am in love with that. I can honestly say that I fall more in love with teaching each day that I step into the classroom. 

Always,

Bulletin Boards are windows into the classroom.

Today at work I had the chance to plan and create a bulletin board. I have to say that I found the idea on Pinterest but it fit the theme I was looking for. In making this bulletin board it launched a discussion about themed classrooms.

I have always had teachers that have had themed classrooms and as a student I loved. It got me involved in the classroom environment and feel as if it was a home away from home some times. This is why I believe that a good bulletin board can really tie a classroom together, improve the environment and become the window in the classroom for outsiders. 

Love always,

Emma 

Below are some pictures from today's room decorating fun!!!! 

Getting Pumped!

On Wednesday, it will be my last field day with my sweet, sweet students. This will be the last observation class that I will have before I start student teaching. It is both bittersweet and nerve racking because I feel as if it was just yesterday I had decided to change my major from History and Social Studies to Elementary Education.

They say that you do not choose teaching, instead it picks you. I would have to agree with this statement because I feel as if I was chosen to teach. It takes a very special person to not only teach children but to also mold them into the citizens that we want in the United States. As I continue to complete my observations I find that I am beyond ready to get into the classroom, and when I look on pinterest at different lesson ideas I find that I cant wait for a class of my own to try them out on!

As I embark on this last field day I feel that I am ready for this next chapter in my life as well as excited about what is around the corner! There are so many good things coming in my future and I can begin to thank God for all of it.

Love Always,