I have so much to say today; it was a big day! But I want to be thorough, because I want to come back and read it again. Such a day to remember!
This morning I woke up and had a "lovely" cup of tea. ;) Then, Lauren (my hostess) and I got a ride from her boyfriend Scott to the train station to catch our train to Long Eaton for school. Lauren's apartment is in Derby, which is just a town away from school. It was just about a 10 minute train ride and then a really quick walk to school!
After arriving at school I met with the Head teacher, Mr. Calvert, and the ITT coordinator/ Assistant Head at the school, Mrs. Emmerson. They gave us a brief history of the school and important details to know. I'm so impressed by these two and so thankful for all their hard work in planning our experience here, they have really gone above and beyond ALL my expectations. I really could not be happier.
Following that, we had a discussion with Mrs. Emmerson about how the grade levels and forms work and other general details about the British education system. We also found out about our general schedule for the time that we are there. I will do three days a week at Long Eaton, but because I do elementary education, I will be going to Shardlow Primary school on Thursdays and Fridays to get an elementary experience. :)
So exciting! And as I said before, although Long Eaton is a secondary school, I will be working with Year 7 students who are about the 5th-6th grade range.
Sarah has also arranged a trip for us to OXFORD. As in Oxford University. Oh my goodness I can't even tell you...Amazing!
We went on a thorough tour of the school and it is IMMENSE. Huge building and so much ground space, especially for England where things are pretty squished together. There are also such a variety of classes students can take!! There are joinery classes (carpentry--I had to ask what that meant!), art classes, graphic design, all kinds of technology, and even hair and beauty classes! There is also a special unit of the school for students with autism, and a "sixth form" which is for older students and is kind of like independent study.
Later on in the day I got to come and watch one of Lauren's technology and business classes. The class I watched was Year 9 students, so they were about 14. Immediately when they came in and saw me, Lauren said "We have a guest, so best behavior!" and one of the students said "You're from Kentucky, like KFC?!" Funny!
The British accent is so musical to me! They have so much inflection and it seems like it heightens in school. And they call teachers either "Sir" or "Miss." They don't use last names! It's just very charming. i.e. "Miss, can she please sit next to me while I write my questions?"
We walked through a shopping center on the way home from the train station and I went in Primark for the first time!! Definitely excited for that. Also, just looking around on the walk home, I'm in a traditional Harry Potter-looking British town, which is exactly what I hoped for. :)
I went on my first grocery shop this evening, too! We went to ASDA which was an experience in itself! I was pretty surprised at how little of the food is the same, but everything has been great!
Also, Dinner=Lunch so there is a dinner break at school. And "tea time" means "supper time" :) There's several little things they say that are just funny. And Lauren's accent is Irish which is also completely different from British! I am loving it. The teachers and students are loving my accent too, telling me I sound like Reese Witherspoon from "Sweet Home Alabama."
:)
Very long post, but I'm having a wonderful time and this was an important day. Got to FaceTime with Mom and Dad too! This will be a day I want to look back on for how great the introduction was and how great everyone has been so far.
Loving every minute!
--Haley
This morning I woke up and had a "lovely" cup of tea. ;) Then, Lauren (my hostess) and I got a ride from her boyfriend Scott to the train station to catch our train to Long Eaton for school. Lauren's apartment is in Derby, which is just a town away from school. It was just about a 10 minute train ride and then a really quick walk to school!
After arriving at school I met with the Head teacher, Mr. Calvert, and the ITT coordinator/ Assistant Head at the school, Mrs. Emmerson. They gave us a brief history of the school and important details to know. I'm so impressed by these two and so thankful for all their hard work in planning our experience here, they have really gone above and beyond ALL my expectations. I really could not be happier.
Following that, we had a discussion with Mrs. Emmerson about how the grade levels and forms work and other general details about the British education system. We also found out about our general schedule for the time that we are there. I will do three days a week at Long Eaton, but because I do elementary education, I will be going to Shardlow Primary school on Thursdays and Fridays to get an elementary experience. :)
So exciting! And as I said before, although Long Eaton is a secondary school, I will be working with Year 7 students who are about the 5th-6th grade range.
Sarah has also arranged a trip for us to OXFORD. As in Oxford University. Oh my goodness I can't even tell you...Amazing!
We went on a thorough tour of the school and it is IMMENSE. Huge building and so much ground space, especially for England where things are pretty squished together. There are also such a variety of classes students can take!! There are joinery classes (carpentry--I had to ask what that meant!), art classes, graphic design, all kinds of technology, and even hair and beauty classes! There is also a special unit of the school for students with autism, and a "sixth form" which is for older students and is kind of like independent study.
Later on in the day I got to come and watch one of Lauren's technology and business classes. The class I watched was Year 9 students, so they were about 14. Immediately when they came in and saw me, Lauren said "We have a guest, so best behavior!" and one of the students said "You're from Kentucky, like KFC?!" Funny!
The British accent is so musical to me! They have so much inflection and it seems like it heightens in school. And they call teachers either "Sir" or "Miss." They don't use last names! It's just very charming. i.e. "Miss, can she please sit next to me while I write my questions?"
We walked through a shopping center on the way home from the train station and I went in Primark for the first time!! Definitely excited for that. Also, just looking around on the walk home, I'm in a traditional Harry Potter-looking British town, which is exactly what I hoped for. :)
I went on my first grocery shop this evening, too! We went to ASDA which was an experience in itself! I was pretty surprised at how little of the food is the same, but everything has been great!
Also, Dinner=Lunch so there is a dinner break at school. And "tea time" means "supper time" :) There's several little things they say that are just funny. And Lauren's accent is Irish which is also completely different from British! I am loving it. The teachers and students are loving my accent too, telling me I sound like Reese Witherspoon from "Sweet Home Alabama."
:)
Very long post, but I'm having a wonderful time and this was an important day. Got to FaceTime with Mom and Dad too! This will be a day I want to look back on for how great the introduction was and how great everyone has been so far.
Loving every minute!
--Haley