What a very long, stressful, and exhausting week. I am glad that it is over!
My observation was Tuesday and it went very well. The day started off stressful because there was some change in the schedule. For some reason the homeroom teachers had to have their classes right after assembly, which meant that first period was delayed until second period. They don't just cancel a period here, they take minutes off of each period to make the whole day very confusing. You never know when the bell is going to ring; no problem except when it's time for break. Anyway, I have first period off on Tuesday so I didn't get into the class until second period, which was technically third period. Confused yet?! I was 1/2 way through my English lesson when Andrea, مديرة - modeera (Arabic for manager/principal), and the assistant principal came in. I was working on retelling with my high group. They did a good job! I knew they would. After that it was time for science. Wind erosion. Not that easy of a concept to teach. I took them outside and gave them a tray with sugar (we didn't get sand or soil from ADEC for science so I had them pretend it was sand) and straw and told them to blow. Let me back up a minute. Before we went outside we reviewed erosion and I had them predict what was going to happen in the experiment. Then we went outside and they were the wind. They did a good job talking about what happened. We discussed it for a while then came back in and they drew a picture. I was just getting ready to start answering the questions in the book when the bell rang. Go figure! So that was my lesson. I was very pleased with 3/1. They can behave, they just choose not to on a regular basis.
After the lesson it was break time so I went to the staff lounge and was greeted by shouts and clapping and الحمدللة Al hamdullilah (Thank God!). Somehow all the teachers knew that I had my observation and they knew it was a big deal. There was a huge celebration. I was quite surprised! So we talked in English/Arabic about the observation (well, I mostly talked in English and they mostly talked in Arabic, but somehow we understood each other). The easy part was over, I told them. Now I just had to wait for the evaluation, which was scheduled for Tues. afternoon, but had to be changed because the translator couldn't be there until Wed.
Armed with my newly created portfolio I walked into the principal's office Wed. afternoon and nervously waited for Andrea to arrive. Let me explain the new teacher evaluation process that they implemented in April (2 weeks ago). The evaluation has 4 standards; school improvement, curriculum, classroom, and community. Each standard has 4-6 (other than community which only has 1) points below it. I was to be ranked on each of the points for each of the standards and I needed to have evidence to support/defend my ranking. Ms. Keltham was very very thourough. When she said it would take 90 minutes, she wasn't kidding. It acutally ended up taking longer than that. She went over each and every point in detail. Asking for evidence, how I meet that goal, what I would give myself, what Andrea would give, how I can improve for next year, and finally her mark. Very intense! After about 40 minutes we had gotten standard 1 finished and modeera was requested in the theater so we could eat lunch. I kindly suggested that she go to the theater and we could finish later. I thought it would be later in the afternoon, but it turned out to be Thursday.
As I was walking back to the LT room, Moza said تعالي سارة (ta'allee Sara - Come on Sara) and dragged me into the staff room. There was singing and dancing and cake. The Arabic teachers said it was a party for me since I was finished! How sweet! We celebrated for a little and I did a little, really only a little, dancing and had some cake. It was fun and also very sweet of them to do that. I explained to them that I wasn't finished and there were gasps of horror. They made me tell them what was happening and what modeera and I were talking about and who was doing the talking. So I spent some time going over with them what the process was. They were shocked! And, I have to admit, so was I! After the impromptu party, I went and got my hair done. I guess I should have prepared since I knew what she wanted, but I figured the only way I could truly be prepared would be to type up my response for every point and read it to her. I didn't think she would like that so I just reread the points and tried to focus on the evidence I had and how I was going to prove that I met each of the goals.
So we finished Thursday. We only disagreed on one point; critical thinking. Her definition and my definition are two different things. She wants the students to initiate critical thinking. OK I agree that they should, they just aren't there yet. They need the foundation and that is me asking them the critical thinking questions. She didn't like that and wanted to give me a 1. I would not let her give me a 1. I am not a 1 teacher. We finally agreed on a 1 3/4; closer to a 2. Once I put aside all the stress, I guess this is a good way to evaluate teachers and get them to self reflect. There are a lot of things that I will change for next year. It wasn't all that bad and I ended up getting mostly 3s and a few 2s (out of 4). Not bad; it's just that the whole process was very stressful and exhausting. I am glad I am finished!
Side note about Thursday. We had a whole day of health today. No teaching. It was very different. The girls made posters and did little skits about being clean and eating healthy. It was only supposed to be periods 1-3, but it lasted until the end of the day. Maybe a little too long, but I didn't have to do any teaching so I shouldn't complain. Other than the fact that I have so much to do!
The stress is over and I am going to Dubai tomorrow! Should be fun and a nice way to relax after such an exhausting week. I am really not looking for anything other than shoes. We'll see what happens!
Happy Easter!
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Update
OK I know it's been a while but things are pretty normal here. Well, as normal as they can be! Nothing too terribly exciting going on, but I'll try to fill you in on the day to day business stuff.
School
Two weeks after the break and into the 3rd trimester things aren't settling down. Not the kids, well, they're just as wild as ever, it's the work load. More and more and more stuff to do.
First of all the Arabic teachers are now telling us (LTs) how to do our jobs!!! Yeah you read that right, the Arabic teachers are telling us how to teach English. Extremely frustrating. I am dying for an opportunity to tell them how to do their job. Acutally that's one of the reasons I was hired. Well, not really tell them, to show them. But they're not learning. Anyway the Arabic teachers want us to have a contest between grade levels. They want the 1st graders to color certain words, the 2nd graders to make words from letters, and the 3rd graders to translate words from English to Arabic. Then we have to do a school wide spelling test. Nothing is going to be done with these results, so it's not really a contest. It's just taking valuable teaching time. I made the translating and focused on certain objectives that we had been teaching in 3rd grade so it's somewhat correlated to the "curriculum" but basically just a waste of time. Now we're going to have a health camp. It's taking all morning on Thursday. Normally this would be a good thing, but I just don't have time. They are all about putting on a show. This is coming about because of the new evaulation that is being put into place. The Arabic teachers are afraid they are going to lose their jobs if they don't meet certain requirements, and one of them is to participate in the school improvement plan, which brings me to number 2.
The new evaluation. This is intense. Now I've had evaluations before and I'm really not stressed about this one, it's just the timing. They sprung this on us last week and my observation is Tuesday. OK granted I did ask for it to be over with, but the evaluations have to be completed before the end of May. In addition to the observation, which has 5 pages of criteria, I have to create a portfolio with evidence that I am meeting all these criteria (or maybe criterion??). That's the stressful part. After my observation I have to sit down and discuss my portfolio with Ms. Keltham (who by the way doesn't speak much English) for 90 minutes! I guess I should probably start putting something together!!
Thirdly (?) I finally finished all my running records and discovered that about 3/4 of 3-1 and 1/2 of 3-2 aren't reading. They aren't even reading the simple level 1 books (repetitive text). So I had to plan how I was going to change my literacy block (40 minutes). I now have 2 groups; one group that is working on sight words, basic reading, and alphabet knowledge, and the other group that needs to be working on comprehension and word attack strategies. I really should have more groups because within each group are different levels, but I don't have time. So, I spent all weekend on that. I must say that today went very well. The girls adjusted to the change in schedule and worked very good. They didn't bother me when I was working with the other group and they worked very quietly. Before I get too excited I must remind myself that it is Sunday and they are usually very good on Sunday.
I think that about wraps up what's been going on at school.
Arabic
Frustrating as usual. I am waiting for the day when this language just clicks. Right now, every word is a new word. I am having a very difficult time learning/memorizing/remembering the words. I get so tired of hearing "you know this, we took it last time" from Dania. OK so we took it and I guess I should know it but I don't. Verbs are still confusing me and they probably shouldn't. Once I figure out the pattern, which she has explained to me many times, I'm sure things will be much easier. Yesterday in class she gave me a bunch of letters and told me to make words. That was probably the hardest task I had done. I had to think of words that I know that had those letters and then how to spell them correctly. I succeeded in making 2 words! I guess that's good. She says I am making progress, so I should be happy about that. I was able to understand a little bit about what I read for Saturday's class and answer the questions without much help, so that's an improvement because at the beginning I really needed her to translate everything. One day last week I was trying to honey (عسل- a'asil), not sure why I needed this word at school, but anyway it has the ع which always gives me trouble. Reem, one of my students, was working with me on this word and I actually said it right! She was so happy! She clapped and jumped up and down and said "Miss, you got it!" So, that was a pretty good feeling. I got it once, I guess that means I can get it again. Now I just need to work on the following letters; ص ض ح ط ظ. Those silly letters with no English equivalent.
Other stuff
I eamiled Najwa and she replied. I kept the message very light just saying hi and wondering how she's doing. She's happy that I'm continuing Arabic (I wish it were with her). We had a nice little conversation via email so I think things may be ok?
I went on a date last week. I met this guy at DHL and we talked for a while. I had to give him my phone number for the whole mailing process and he ended up calling me. We talked for a while and he asked me out. I agreed. We met at the Rotana, a hotel, for dinner, and that's where things got quite strange. Men here just seem to have marriage on their mind. That's part of the Arabic culture. No dating, just jumping right into marriage. Well, he made it clear that was what he wanted. He kept telling me "I love you", "I want to spend my life with you", and "I need you" throughout the conversation. I told him that he was moving way too fast and that he just met me and he shouldn't be saying those things. What happened to getting to know someone? We finished dinner and then left. He texted me a few days later with some more inappropriate comments and I did not reply. I haven't heard from him since!
It's hot here! I mean hot! It's already been in the 100s and it's only going to get worse. I can see why the girls stop coming to school at the end of May because it's too hot. It really is. I don't think it would be that bad if the school were inside, but it's not. The assembly area is outside, the girls eat outside, our classrooms open up to the outside, and they have to walk outside to go to the bathroom and get water. Something needs to be done. I suggest that the Sheikh shorten the school year (you know to a regualr school year Sept-June) and lengthen the school day. But they never take suggestions from those on the front lines!
We celebrated Susan's birthday on Thursday with a very nice meal at a fabulous French restaurant. The food was delicious (or as Lexi says delish:) It was real food, so not Arabic! I had stuffed chicken with potato gnocchi. Cassie had lasagne and Susan had some chicken with mashed potatoes! Yes, mashed potatoes. I would be more excited about that, but I only like KFCs mashed potatoes, which by the way they don't have at the KFCs here.
My observation is Tuesday and my post observation evaluation is????? I'll write on Tuesday about the observation and whenever I have the evaluation. Now it's time to get the portfolio ready!
School
Two weeks after the break and into the 3rd trimester things aren't settling down. Not the kids, well, they're just as wild as ever, it's the work load. More and more and more stuff to do.
First of all the Arabic teachers are now telling us (LTs) how to do our jobs!!! Yeah you read that right, the Arabic teachers are telling us how to teach English. Extremely frustrating. I am dying for an opportunity to tell them how to do their job. Acutally that's one of the reasons I was hired. Well, not really tell them, to show them. But they're not learning. Anyway the Arabic teachers want us to have a contest between grade levels. They want the 1st graders to color certain words, the 2nd graders to make words from letters, and the 3rd graders to translate words from English to Arabic. Then we have to do a school wide spelling test. Nothing is going to be done with these results, so it's not really a contest. It's just taking valuable teaching time. I made the translating and focused on certain objectives that we had been teaching in 3rd grade so it's somewhat correlated to the "curriculum" but basically just a waste of time. Now we're going to have a health camp. It's taking all morning on Thursday. Normally this would be a good thing, but I just don't have time. They are all about putting on a show. This is coming about because of the new evaulation that is being put into place. The Arabic teachers are afraid they are going to lose their jobs if they don't meet certain requirements, and one of them is to participate in the school improvement plan, which brings me to number 2.
The new evaluation. This is intense. Now I've had evaluations before and I'm really not stressed about this one, it's just the timing. They sprung this on us last week and my observation is Tuesday. OK granted I did ask for it to be over with, but the evaluations have to be completed before the end of May. In addition to the observation, which has 5 pages of criteria, I have to create a portfolio with evidence that I am meeting all these criteria (or maybe criterion??). That's the stressful part. After my observation I have to sit down and discuss my portfolio with Ms. Keltham (who by the way doesn't speak much English) for 90 minutes! I guess I should probably start putting something together!!
Thirdly (?) I finally finished all my running records and discovered that about 3/4 of 3-1 and 1/2 of 3-2 aren't reading. They aren't even reading the simple level 1 books (repetitive text). So I had to plan how I was going to change my literacy block (40 minutes). I now have 2 groups; one group that is working on sight words, basic reading, and alphabet knowledge, and the other group that needs to be working on comprehension and word attack strategies. I really should have more groups because within each group are different levels, but I don't have time. So, I spent all weekend on that. I must say that today went very well. The girls adjusted to the change in schedule and worked very good. They didn't bother me when I was working with the other group and they worked very quietly. Before I get too excited I must remind myself that it is Sunday and they are usually very good on Sunday.
I think that about wraps up what's been going on at school.
Arabic
Frustrating as usual. I am waiting for the day when this language just clicks. Right now, every word is a new word. I am having a very difficult time learning/memorizing/remembering the words. I get so tired of hearing "you know this, we took it last time" from Dania. OK so we took it and I guess I should know it but I don't. Verbs are still confusing me and they probably shouldn't. Once I figure out the pattern, which she has explained to me many times, I'm sure things will be much easier. Yesterday in class she gave me a bunch of letters and told me to make words. That was probably the hardest task I had done. I had to think of words that I know that had those letters and then how to spell them correctly. I succeeded in making 2 words! I guess that's good. She says I am making progress, so I should be happy about that. I was able to understand a little bit about what I read for Saturday's class and answer the questions without much help, so that's an improvement because at the beginning I really needed her to translate everything. One day last week I was trying to honey (عسل- a'asil), not sure why I needed this word at school, but anyway it has the ع which always gives me trouble. Reem, one of my students, was working with me on this word and I actually said it right! She was so happy! She clapped and jumped up and down and said "Miss, you got it!" So, that was a pretty good feeling. I got it once, I guess that means I can get it again. Now I just need to work on the following letters; ص ض ح ط ظ. Those silly letters with no English equivalent.
Other stuff
I eamiled Najwa and she replied. I kept the message very light just saying hi and wondering how she's doing. She's happy that I'm continuing Arabic (I wish it were with her). We had a nice little conversation via email so I think things may be ok?
I went on a date last week. I met this guy at DHL and we talked for a while. I had to give him my phone number for the whole mailing process and he ended up calling me. We talked for a while and he asked me out. I agreed. We met at the Rotana, a hotel, for dinner, and that's where things got quite strange. Men here just seem to have marriage on their mind. That's part of the Arabic culture. No dating, just jumping right into marriage. Well, he made it clear that was what he wanted. He kept telling me "I love you", "I want to spend my life with you", and "I need you" throughout the conversation. I told him that he was moving way too fast and that he just met me and he shouldn't be saying those things. What happened to getting to know someone? We finished dinner and then left. He texted me a few days later with some more inappropriate comments and I did not reply. I haven't heard from him since!
It's hot here! I mean hot! It's already been in the 100s and it's only going to get worse. I can see why the girls stop coming to school at the end of May because it's too hot. It really is. I don't think it would be that bad if the school were inside, but it's not. The assembly area is outside, the girls eat outside, our classrooms open up to the outside, and they have to walk outside to go to the bathroom and get water. Something needs to be done. I suggest that the Sheikh shorten the school year (you know to a regualr school year Sept-June) and lengthen the school day. But they never take suggestions from those on the front lines!
We celebrated Susan's birthday on Thursday with a very nice meal at a fabulous French restaurant. The food was delicious (or as Lexi says delish:) It was real food, so not Arabic! I had stuffed chicken with potato gnocchi. Cassie had lasagne and Susan had some chicken with mashed potatoes! Yes, mashed potatoes. I would be more excited about that, but I only like KFCs mashed potatoes, which by the way they don't have at the KFCs here.
My observation is Tuesday and my post observation evaluation is????? I'll write on Tuesday about the observation and whenever I have the evaluation. Now it's time to get the portfolio ready!
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