Live in Bognor, Teach in Chichester, Play in Windsor

Yet again, I have gone awhile without writing. I’ve found it difficult to find time to write because when I get home from school I have gotten into a routine of writing a lesson plan and/or an evaluation for the lesson that I taught that day at school. Needless to say, once I’m finished writing the lesson/evaluation and checking my e-mail, etc. I feel my eyes turning into goop from looking at the screen. Enough with the excuses! I’m not entirely sure where I left off last since I am unable to connect to the internet right now for some odd reason, so I’m trying this in Word. I taught a few more lessons last week and quite honestly, off the top of my head, I don’t recall anything that newsworthy to write about pertaining to what I taught.

Over the weekend, a group traveled to Scotland while a group of us stayed in England, aka Bognor Regis. I like having Friday as a go out to lunch, buy groceries, nap, catch up on work day. Our seminar barely lasts 2 hours and we’re out before 11, giving us plenty of time to cease the day. Last Friday I went to bed early because Chris, Danielle, Ashley and I decided that we would leave the dorm by 6:30am to get a 7am train to Windsor to see the one and only Windsor Castle. The train ride took about 3 hours, including a transfer we had to make along the line. We arrived around 10am and must have looked like we needed directions (go figure) because a man that worked at the train station asked if he could help us. I then proceeded to ask how to get to Windsor Castle and he motioned for me to follow him. Low and behold, the Castle could be seen right when you stepped out of the station, although we think we could have missed it if it hadn’t been pointed out to us because it was so foggy. To get to the front entrance was a cake walk and we got in with no problem and were in place to see the changing of the guards by 10:30am. Promptly at 10:58am the changing of the guards ceremony took place. We were all glad that we had gotten an early start that morning so that we could experience this event. In the fall it only happens every other day, so we lucked out! It was also a plus that we got there early because there were no lines to get into the Castle and various rooms although it was quite crowded. Another group from Penn State, actually from the International Floor arrived around 1pm… we later met up with them to take the train home that night. The Castle was gorgeous and I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Royal Family. I’m extremely interested in Queen Elizabeth, Charles, Prince William, etc. I think I will look into finding some material so I can understand the family better. I couldn’t believe that that the Queen Mother lived to be 102. I think I knew she was old, but not THAT old! By the time the clock struck noon, the fog had cleared and there was blue sky all around us. It was even warm enough to wear just jeans and a t-shirt J We toured the Castle until about 3 and then made our way over the pedestrian bridge to Eton, home to Eton College, a prep school from boys ages 13-18. This is the school that both Prince William and Harry attended. We got a personal tour (FINALLY) and saw a classroom, the cathedral and the courtyard. No boys were there last weekend because they had a long weekend off. 1301 boys are enrolled this year and it costs a whopping 27,000 pounds to attend. Our tour guide also told us that even the Princes had to take the entrance exam. We ate dinner at a Italian restaurant in town by the Castle before heading back on the 7pm train. We got back to our dorm around 10pm and some decided to go to the pub on campus (which they later told me was DEAD)… I decided to stay in and read/watch greys and go to sleep.

Sunday I prepared my lessons, etc. for the week. On Monday I was observed by my link-tutor (she’s someone from the university that is in charge of observing me 3 times, completing 2 evaluations with me and my teacher, as well as the connection between the university and my school in case there were any concerns/problems I had). Thankfully, there are no problems in which my link-tutor needs to be informed about. I’m still unsure about some of the things my teacher does or the way he presents the material, but I like that we communicate well and that he takes my ideas and suggestions into great consideration and backs me on my plans. My observation was a great success. It was probably the best lesson I taught this semester, which is good because I was being observed!

Today I was began teaching a maths lesson (yes, math with an s, that is not a typo) and then 10 or so minutes into two women from a learning something or other company knocked on the door. It just so happens that my teacher forgot that they were coming to do an interactive literacy activity with the students. How frustrating!! Needless to say, I’m teaching the lesson tomorrow, from the beginning since the kids were not behaving well and could benefit from hearing the beginning of the lesson again. I don’t know what it is, but some days only a few are off, others all of them are off… must be that English weather. Speaking of weather, I have yet to use my umbrella on my walk to/from school. We all know that means that it’s going to pour tomorrow morning. Today was typical English weather. Damp and cold. Bleck. I’ve been spoiled with a whole lot of sun these past few weeks and am not ready for rain and cold. Today I also got to observe another year four class. I really liked her lesson and her kids are angels. It was nice to see another teacher teaching the same material and compare/contrast teaching styles. I had fun working with different students as well and giving them a chance to get to know me better. I hope I can work with them more as the semester goes on, just as a change of pace. I think I can also learn a great deal from their teacher, Kate. She’s the type of teacher I want to be and can see myself becoming.

That’s it for now. I’ll write once I get back from Dublin! Our flight leaves Friday from Gatwick airport at 3:25 and gets in around 4:45. The train ride from Bogor to Gatwick is about 1 hour, so we’ll have to jet right after seminar gets out to make sure that we catch the flight. I’m super excited to leave the country and see Ireland. On Dara and my agenda is the Guiness factory. If you are interested, check out the website. You can actually take a virtual tour, which is how I found out that the factory/museum is SIX floors. They even give you a free pint of beer. This would be more exciting if I actually liked Guiness… it’s too dark. Also, it’s not really free because there is an admission fee, but it’s still cool that you get to drink Guiness at the factory in Ireland on the 5^th or 6^th floor looking out over Dublin. I’ll let you know how that experience is when I actually experience it. I’ll be back in Bognor (hopefully) by dinner time on Sunday, just in time to get myself together for another week in the schools.

And right as I finished this, the internet came back to life. Good timing.

It's Official, British Children are Adorable!

I spent my first full week in the schools. It won't be until November that we actually spend 5 days a week in school. M-Th we are in the school all day and then on Fridays we have a seminar on campus from 9-11am and then are off for the rest of the day! I must say that I am absolutely exhausted. I realized today that my teacher and I spent (only) about 5 hours with the kids every day since the students and us get an hour lunch break. They split their day in two- everything before 12pm is morning school and everything after 1pm is afternoon school. Anyhow, the 5 hours spent with the kids is extremely tiring, even if I'm not constantly working with them. I can just be standing and observing or listening to my teacher tell directions and by the end of the day when I'm riding the bus back to Bognor Regis I have to try very hard to stay awake. I've started reading a book on my bus ride in the morning and afternoon. I think if I continue to do this, I could read quite a few books this semester, which is exciting.

*NOTE* I left off here over the weekend and then lost internet connection in my room for a few days. I am just getting around to writing more now. It is Tuesday evening, so I've already been in the schools for 2 days already.

Last week I taught three lessons and have been kept quite busy this week with lessons. On Monday my teacher and I met and he just started to throw lessons my way. I'm not going to turn down any opportunities to teach, so I kindly said I would accept everything that he threw my way. Up until tonight, I had not been using my agenda book, but realized I need to start writing down what I'm expected to do and when I need to have it done by in order to keep myself organized. While my teacher has a timetable for each day, I find it very vague and confusing at times, so it's best that I keep track of everything I am expected to do in a separate area. When I taught my lessons last week, they went pretty well. I was pleased, yet I am going to have to work on various classroom management techniques since my 27 students are quite chatty. My teacher does very little in regards to classroom management, which is good and bad. Good because when I teach I can implement my own ideas and not be stepping on his toes. Bad because they have no clear expectations set out for them to follow on a daily basis. No structure in the classroom is quite tricky.

Next week, on Monday I am teaching my first Maths lesson EVER! (They don't call it math here, but maths, with an s. A little odd and I'm not sure why they do this...) My link tutor, the woman who grades me, will be observing. Luckily I have a good amount of time to prepare and am not going away for a long weekend, so can be well rested and ready to put on my best teacher act Monday morning.

Tomorrow I have 2 lessons. One is about kennings poems and the other is drawing a scarecrow. I'm not sure why they are drawing a scarecrow, but someone somewhere in the school thinks scarecrows relate to eco week I presume. If I were to ask my teacher about the reason as to why this lesson exists, he probably would respond by saying he's not sure either... one would think the teacher would know what's going on, but a lot of things are planned throughout the school or by another teacher. Personally, if I did not see a purpose, I would be asking the person in charge or who planned the timetable WHY this is appropriate.

Anyhow, enough about lessons. All in all everything is going swimmingly. I feel very active in the classroom as well as a useful resource and aide. I have had a few kids inquire about when I would be teaching full time, haha. On the second day that I taught, the kids had just come in from play and Andrew asked if I was teaching, in which I responded, "Oh no, not me again!" He then replied by saying that he thought I was better then the classroom teacher. Another girl today while we were outside asked when I would be teaching full time. I told her not until November and she seemed very disappointed. I'm glad that the students like when I teach, but it's all concerning that they don't find their teacher engaging.

On Saturday a group of us touch a day trip to Stonehenge. We all really enjoyed ourselves, although I'm certain that the others on the train on the ride home wished we would disappear, or talk more quietly and laugh less. We left Bognor around 9am, catching the bus to Salisbury. We had to change trains twice and then we picked up a tour bus at the train station in Salisbury. The tour bus was not worth it, but it was the only way to get to Stonehenge. There are no other modes of transportation there other then walking the 12 some miles. We got to the Henge around 1 or so. Unfortunately there is a fence around the premises, so you have to pay to get in. When you bay the 4 pounds ($7.75ish) to get in, there are ropes around the stones. We listened to audio tours, but I could not follow the auido at all. I mean, there's not that much you can really say about a lot of rocks, especially when no one knows for sure what the purpose of them are. I realized that personalized tours are so much better and that while I'm here in the UK and traveling around Europe I need to seek these out in order to learn and get the most out of my experience. The one thing I did learn and remember is that henge means hanging, thus Stonehenge means hanging rocks. Now it all makes sense! Luckily we went on a beautiful day and were able to enjoy the blue skies, sun and rocks on the grass :) Ashely has about 75 pictures of the rocks, half of them have her in them. I was her photographer for the day and we thoroughly enjoyed the photo shoot. If you ever have the opportunity to see Stonehenge, I would go. Don't go out of your way to see it though.

This weekend a bunch of the group is going to Scottland. I am not though and sticking back with a few. I want to go to London or see Windsor Castle. There is so much to do around here and if it's good weather taking day trips is right up my ally!

I booked my plane ticket over the weekend for our fall break. We are flying into Venice, staying there 2 nights, going to Florance for 3 nights and possibly doing a day trip to Pisa (for the pictures with the tower of course!) and then checking out Tuscany before heading to Rome for 3 nights. Who knows what else will pop up on that adventure. We still need to book hostels, but have a good idea of the one we want to stay in while in Florance.

Life is good. I made the right decision coming here this semester and doing my student teaching. I would not be anywhere else in the world right now!

Who knew you had to hail the bus??

I know it's been awhile since I last wrote. I want to keep a good record of my time spent here in England, but sometimes it's hard to get myself to sit down in front of my computer and write. Let's see... where did I leave off? Friday was my first day in the schools. I am at a primary school, aka an elementary school which is private, which really means it's public. This means that public means private here in the UK. I am in a 4th year class, which is 3rd grade in the US. The kids here actually start school when they're 4, meaning they are about a year ahead of the US. There are 27 kids in my class, 18 of which are boys! I've never seen so many boys in one class, except for at Cardigan :) The kids all wear uniforms- black or gray pants/skirts, white collard shirts/blouses and maroon sweatshirts/sweaters. My teachers name is Mr. Gayle. I was surprised to see a large number of men teaching at this school. There must be 5 or so for a student body of 300. Looking back on my elementary years, I can only remember 2 male teachers.

I take the bus, also known as public transportation, to school. Sometimes I even get to ride the double decker ones :) Little did Ashely and I know on our first day that we needed to hail the bus and we were shocked when it just drove by. Of course I want to get on the bus, why else would I be standing at the bus stop!?! Well, today Ashely pointed out a notice posted about bus etiquette. Here it tells you that if you would like the bus to stop that you must hail it. Now I know, as do all of you if you happen to even be in England wishing to ride the bus. My school is a 15 minute ride from the Bognor Regis campus. 30 minutes when you factor in morning traffic, 45 minutes during bad rush hour traffic. I am beginning to despise the round abouts!!! If I had to blame something for the traffic jams, it would be the round abouts. Once I get to the Chichester bus station, I have a 15 minute walk to my school. On the first day I had vague directions to the school and I may have followed a little boy and his brother to school.

Here's what an average day is looking like for me:

6:30 wake up
7:10 breakfast with Ashely
7:30 head to the bus stop, on the LEFT side of the road
7:36 (or whenever it feels like showing up because the buses are NOT on time) get the bus
8:15 arrive at the Chichester bus station
8:30 arrive at school
8:40 first bell
8:50 kids arrive in the room
8:50-12:00pm I mold the minds of the young British kids
12:00-1:00 lunch
1:00-3:05 more learning
3:05-??? talk to Mr. Gayle; plan lessons, etc.

Today I did not leave school until 4:30. I was planning for the bus to arrive at 4:46 so I walked very fast and got to the bus station around 4:41 to find NO bus. The bus got there around 5 or so and I was home and in the dining hall by 5:40.

Tomorrow I am teaching my FIRST lesson of the semester. We are doing an Olympics unit and I am in charge of planning a literacy lesson. I even had to write an example of a persuasive essay. Let me tell you, it's difficult to write like you're 8 years old. I told Mr. G that he'll have to look over my writing and give me some pointers on writing like a 4th year!

This weekend we traveled to London for the day. It was fantastic! I definitely enjoyed myself. The weather was nice and the skies cleared in the afternoon. We were able to see Buckingham Palace and possible the changing of the guards? I'm not sure if it really happened or not to be honest. Not as exciting as one would think. We saw Big Ben, or course, yet no London Bridge was to be found. Granted, I did not look hard. Next time, I will venture to it. There was a festival on the Thames River which some of the group went to, but instead I went with a group to Westminster Abbey. What a beautiful place. It was grand. Words can't describe it. All I can say is it was worth going to just to see even though we did not have time to complete the entire tour. Just walking around London and seeing things in person after seeing what seems like thousands of pictures in books, etc. all my life was surreal. I will need to take a trip back during my time here. Hopefully I can see a show!

Sunday we all slept in. It was MUCH needed sleep! I went to the grocery store. Carrying the two smallish bags back from town was not thrilling. My arm hurts a bit today, not going to lie. Yesterday was BEAUTIFUL. I told Danielle that it was like a New England day! I organized myself a bit and hung out... took a nap and talked on Skype. 8 of us watched P.S. I Love you in Kate's room last night. I feel more like a freshmen now then I did when I was a freshman, haha.

The exciting news is that we booked a flight to Dublin for the first weekend in October. We got a good deal on it, paying no taxes for the departing flight.

This weekend I'm hoping to do some local traveling, especially since I have an unlimited bus pass provided to me from the University since I have to take the bus to my school. I believe all the students that go to the University will be arriving this weekend. There are some students here, but not the freshies yet. We've been told to go to some of the new student events. I'm sure we'll check some of them out.

Things are great. I'm loving the experience. I can't believe that I'm getting credit to be here in England as well as fulfilling my student teaching requirements. I'm learning so much more then I could have imagined and having fun doing it. Yay education!!!

The Endless Summer

I haven't gotten run over yet by any cars of coaches, which is a plus. I'm slowly figuring out which way to look when I cross the street, but am amazed that there is so much traffic right outside of the University! To get into Bognor Regis you have to cross a street that has constant traffic as well as a round about (or Rotary, if you're familiar with those in New England), yet this particular round about has no grassy patch int he middle, instead there are arrows painted on the street showing cars where to go... anyhow, it makes it extremely difficult to cross the street. I am realizing that I can no longer walk like I do in State College. I'm definitely not crossing College Ave, that's for sure.

Today we traveled about an hour to the East to the "gay capital" of England, aka Brighton. Honestly, I did not know this fact about Brighton before visiting, nor would I have given the city this title. Anyhow, we toured King George IV's Royal Pavilion (to the right). I enjoyed walking around the interior, listening to my personal audio tour. The devices were much like portable phones, but after awhile made our arms tired from holding up to our ears. After this tour, I am very interested in traveling to more historical sites in England an in Europe in order to learn, first hand, about the history of England which I am not well versed in. I felt while I was there as though I was on a class field trip since our group went all together and our coordinators took us and felt at times that I should be taking notes or something. It was nice to not have to do that though!

After the tour we walked around for a bit. It can be agonizing to be with 13 or so people walking like slugs around a town. As many of you know, I don't walk slowly and could be found walking in front for the most part. We ate at an little pub again today. I really like the way you order at the pubs here. Instead of having a waiter/waitress, when you're ready to order, you go up to the bar, place your order and pay. Makes it really easy when in a large group and the best part, no tipping left of the table!

The group did end up splitting a bit for an hour or so. Dara and I were on a mission to find a top sheet for her and a blanket for me since our beds only came with comforters. I have a sneaking suspicion that I will need something more once it gets colder. Speaking of it getting colder, the weather has been decent and I've enjoyed the mostly cloudy 60-65 degree weather. (Less chance of sweating!) I did buy a fleece blanket that says England on it. It was on sale already and when I got the register, it was even cheaper. My grandmother would be proud!




It's odd that everyone at Penn State has been in classes for almost three weeks and we have not even started our teaching program. The details of the program thus far are very vague. I'm sticking with the motto- "they'll tell us what we need to know when we need to know it." I will be meeting with people from my school I believe tomorrow night when we have dinner with our cooperating teachers, etc. here at the University. I feel as though I'm still on vacation though especially since we're going to London on Saturday and talking a lot about trips we want to take on other weekends and during our 10 day mid term break at the end of October.

I'm ready for whatever adventures, be it in the school, around Bognor Regis, here on campus, in London, or abroad in Italy, etc. that comes my way.

Here's to the endless summer, which may in fact last until January :)

Bognor Regis, UK

Greetings from the coast of England! I arrived yesterday, mid morning... which for everyone at home was very early morning. I thought the time difference between England and the U.S. was 6 hours. Low and behold, I was incorrect (this being the first of many misconceptions). The time difference in fact is only 5 hours, which honestly, I think makes for more difficult calculations when trying to figure out what time it is at home!

Anyhow, the drive from the airport (Gatwick) to Bognor Regis took about 1 hour. I decided to stay awake and look out the window, in order to enjoy all the beautiful scenery... many others decided to sleep.

The Bognor Regis campus is compact and cute. We are all staying in Longbrook Hall on the top floor which I'm going to call the Pent House. It's actually quite nice. We have a kitchen and sinks in our bedrooms. I'm living in a single and it's very comfortable. My internet worked right away which was a miracle. (I never have luck with setting my computer up!!)

Yesterday we registered with the University, got wonderful ID cards where we all have extremely fuzzy faces. They're great let me tell you. Anyhow, Julia, our coordinator, took us into town where many people bought cell phones. I'm holding out on a UK one for now.

Speaking of the UK, I realized this morning another one of my misconceptions. I just believed that the UK was part of Europe... I have been corrected when listening to the British speak about surrounding areas. The UK and the EU are different. Got it. I also think I've figured out that the UK has various names just as the US has various names and it's only confusing because I'm not familiar with the names.

This week is a transition week. I'll be making my first bus ride journey into my school on Friday to observe the classroom I'll be in for the next 3 months. It's all so exciting, new and interesting. I can't wait to explore this sea side town and beyond in the coming months.

Soon, I will post pictures... so look out for them.