My Classroom

Here are a few pictures from my classroom.  It is small, but I am making it work. 

 

 Below is the gym.  It was too hot to walk out to the pool.  Carter begins his first P.E. session in the pool next week.  All kids have PE at least twice a week and they do 4 week pool sessions.  There will be three adults in the pool.

 This hallway leads to my classroom.  It is always shiny!  They mop it at least once a day.  Our walls will be decorated soon. 

 I made a tree in my classroom to remind me of home.  I am going to change the leaves as the seasons at home change.  Most of these children do not know about seasons.

 

Things that are different from my school at home:

• I only have 15 students in my classroom.  None of my students are from the U.S.  I have 2 from Canada, 8 from Saudi Arabia, 1 from Lebanon, 1 from India, 1 from Phillipines, 1 from France, and 1 from many countries (his mom is US. and his dad is from Columbia and they have lived everywhere!). 
• Each grade level has a housekeeper.  They clean everything!  They wipe down all desktops and door knobs each day.  They clean the floors, counters, garbage, and recycle bins.  I left a mess in my room and was planning on cleaning it up the next morning, but when I arrived my classroom was already clean and organized!  I feel like the garbage has a sensor because each time something is placed in it Florenda empties it.  Amazing!  I plan on buying this lady a huge gift!
• Classes have 8 specialists. Some specialist they see more than once a week.  Our specialist are: Arabic, Islamic Cultures, PE, Art, and Performing Arts.  I take them to library.  The library is wonderful!  I will take a picture soon!
• Each grade level has a learning support and language support teacher. 
• Each teacher has multiple observations and will be evaluated through out the year.  A bonus will be given for different performance levels.
• Most of my teaching is not stand alone subjects.  We try to integrate as much as possible.
• Collaboration is key to success around here.  The majority of planning must be done with a team and the lesson plans are uploaded to a website. 
• I have duty a few times a week.  Recess, after school and one afternoon recess. 
• Many kids pray at 1:45 in the prayer room.
• It is more exhausting to teach here.  I am not sure what it is, but I am beat at the end of each day.  I know my conditions sound ideal, but expectations are really high.  It is a lot of thinking and learning all new curriculum.  I started Daily 5 so things can feel a little normal. 

Teaching overseas is a wonderful experience!