Frustrations

Differentiation.  Supposed to be the way to teach.  Teach students at their level, not focused on grade level requirements.  As each child learns at a different pace they should not be required to master the same content.  So you have different groups based on what they need to know and what they can accomplish.  Yes, sometimes you have to teach to the whole group and they all need to do the same thing, but for the most part students need to be working at what they can be successful with.

So, this is my frustration.  We are pushed to differentiate, yet when we try we are told that it's too easy.  Here are a few examples.

1. Spelling.  Just like reading spelling is developmental.  And in my opinion students do not need to be learning how to spell words that have absolutely no meaning to them.  Yes, they need to learn new vocabulary but do they have to spell the words correctly?  The students' spelling list had consisted of words like fraction, devastation, conflict, economics, ocean... you know content words from our science and social studies units.  Vocabulary words that they need to know to understand the concept.  Well, I suggested that the spelling words be actual words that they use in their writing.  I mean I have students who can't spell who, what, when, where, him, hair, here, her, favorite, friend.  You know words that they actually need.  So we changed the spelling lists.  Now mind you these words are still above most of their spelling ability as they still have difficulty differentiating between the vowel sounds, but they were words that the students use in their writing and spell wrong.  Well, we've been told that these words are too easy!  So we now have to use Reading Street (more on that later) to get our spelling words.  I want to show the person that made this decision my students' writing and have him see their spelling!
2. Reading.  We had gotten these great leveled readers from Oxford Reading Tree (a UK company) that we cannot use anymore because they do not align with Common Core Curriculum from the States.  So we now have to use Reading Street.  Which could technically be a good thing if you were teaching native English speakers who are mostly on grade level or maybe one year behind.  That is definitely not the case here!  See grade 4 was given the 4th grade box which includes on grade, below grade, above grade, and ELL and ELD leveled readers.  One would think that would be a good thing.  I mean lots of differentiation available, right?!  Well there's a problem.  Even the below grade level readers are too high for the majority of my class and the ELD (English language development) and ELL (English language learners) texts are way too high.  See most of my students are reading at about a first grade level, and these leveled readers don't go that low.  Yeah we could borrow, but then what is first grade going to use?  We have these great leveled readers that the kids can actually read, but we can't use them in instruction.  Granted I am going to use them for independent reading, but for guided reading (which should be at instructional level) I have to use Reading Street which is at almost all of my students' frustration level:(  How frustrating for me and for my poor students.  What kind of service are we providing them?
3. Everyday Math.  Another great program if you were teaching native English speakers.  Why am I teaching these students about US money and US measurement?  Doesn't make any sense to me?  But we have to use EDM so that's what I'm teaching.  Now one could say that it is preparing them to be global citizens, but don't they need to know their own money and measurement system? 
4. MAP testing.  This is a standardized test that is based in the US and aligned with Common Core.  Great since that's the curriculum we're using, but again it's designed for native English speakers and these students definitely aren't.  They are having to read 4th grade level passages and answer questions.  The math test turns into a reading test.  Students are frustrated because they can't read it so they don't try.  Can't say as I blame them.  I mean if I were given an adult Arabic test, just because I'm an adult, I'd probably give up quite quickly.

I am wondering when the higher ups in this country are going to realize that they are doing a huge disservice to their kids by treating them as native English speakers and not realizing that they are learning a foreign language.

OK enough of that.

I went to Cirque du Soleil last week with Vanny and Jane for Valentine's Day.  It was amazing.  I was so glad that I paid for the cheap (not all that cheap 300 dhs) ticket to go.  Lots and lots to breathtaking acrobatics and stunts.  I was on the edge of my seat the entire time.  I would definitely go again and highly recommend it to anyone!

My spring break plans have changed.  Padmini, a woman from church, asked me to go to India with her and a few other ladies.  Since I was planning on going to Greece alone it was quite easy to change my plans to India.  That plus the fact that I hadn't heard back from the travel agent that I was working with.  We're thinking of 5 days in Delhi to see the Taj Mahal and other things.  As of right now, we're definitely going, just not sure when; either the first or second week of April since those are the 2 weeks I have off for spring break.

Summer plans haven't really been made yet, but as of right now I'll be in the States nearly 2 months!  That will give me plenty of time to make a trip to NC and spend a great deal of time with my family!  More to come on that later (after I get my spring break plans finalized:).

86 degrees at 7:30pm.  Winter is definitely over:(

Bye Bye Winter!

Without knowing the actual temperature outside there are some fairly certain signs that winter is ending in the UAE.

1. The women stop wearing heavy shawls.
2. The kids aren't wearing their big heavy winter coats anymore (they're down to spring jackets or light sweaters)
3. I don't need the heat on in the car on my way to school.
4. I don't need to have a cup of tea to warm up when I come home from work.
5. I don't need to wear a sweatshirt at home anymore.
6. I can wear my sandals without my feet freezing.
7. I need the air conditioning on in the classroom.

So I guess winter is on its way out.  Yes, there will probably be some cool days still, but they're beginning to warm up.  I would be excited about that, but that just means that it'll be too hot to enjoy walking to Al Ain Mall or having lunch or dinner outside.  That's just life in the desert!

Last week at school we had International Day.  Grade 4 was responsible for covering Europe and my country was Italy.  Not sure why I picked that one, but I did.  The kids researched Italy and made posters along with bringing in pictures and food for our celebration.  The day started off with an extended assembly where one student from each class presented information about their country.  Then the kids marched around an itty bitty circle in the middle of the assembly area to show off how they dressed up for their country.  Next year I'll put more creativity into it and get the kids to dress up according to what they used to wear in that country. This year I just had them wear jeans and either a green, red, or white shirt. It was a fun day and I hope that the kids learned something about Italy.  Actually I thought that part was kind of silly.  After the assembly I took my class around the assembly area to look at the posters and information of other countries.  They were eagerly pointing out countries that they had been to (Malaysia, Thailand, England, Egypt, and Morocco) along with things they had seen when they were there.  They loved looking at the pictures, but they couldn't be bothered to read anything that anyone wrote!  We didn't have time to look at all the posters because they had to be back in class for Arabic followed by Islamic studies.  They weren't too happy with me, but hey I wasn't going to give up my free time!!  Mr. Marwan (their Arabic teacher) could have taken them around if he wanted to.  After Islamic I put the food out, which consisted of pizza, spaghetti, pasta with pesto, some rice thing, grapes, cheese, some cookie thing that was supposed to be biscotti, tomatoes, grape juice and cake.  The kids just wanted the cake, but I made them take either pizza or spaghetti as well since that was going to be their lunch.  They loved eating in the classroom and they did an excellent job of cleaning up!  I think I have trained them well in that area!!  At the end of the day we went out to the quad where there was left-over food from other countries and the kids got to sample more food.  It was a mess!  My favorite part was the huge basket of fruit.  I got a bunch of bananas and litchies to take home.  I had never tried a litchi before, and I found out that they are delicious.  They are super sweet and juicy.  They look like spiky little balls.  You peel the spiky part off and inside there is this clear fruit about the size of a peach pit.  Inside the clear fruit is a smaller pit, but of course you don't eat that just clear fruit beneath the spiky covering.  Yummy! 

I am busy planning a trip to Greece for spring break.  I will be going by myself as none of my teacher friends want to go and my other friends don't have 2 weeks off at the end of March/beginning of April.  It'll be the first time I've traveled alone.  Technically though I won't be alone because I'll be going with a tour group.  As of right now I'm thinking of Athens and Lesvos or Rhodes (other Greek Islands) along with a one day tour of a few of the major Islands.  It really is going to come down to the cheapest one.  I'm planning on going for a week and then maybe to another Emirate for a few days.  I still haven't been to Fujairaih and I've heard that I NEED to go there.

In the classroom things are still going pretty good.  The kids have their really good days and then they have their days when none of them want to listen.  It's those days that frustrate me beyond belief.  The boys can be totally rude and disrespectful sometimes.  Some of them even have moments of outright defiance.  I know all kids have their days when they don't want to listen, but it seems to happen a lot here and it's the majority of the class.  Just 8 more weeks and then spring break!  I can make it!!  I re-arranged the classroom and put them in groups of 4 instead of groups of 6; maybe that will help.  We'll see.

Home

What is home?  Webster defines it in various ways:

1. one's place of residence
2. the social unit formed by a family living together
3. a familiar or usual setting: congenial environment: the focus of one's domestic attention: "home is where the heart is"

I personally think it's a lot more than simply a place of residence.  I like the last one; "home is where your heart is" and right now my heart is in MI.  I think the two words go together: home and family.  Can you have a home without family?  You can have a house, but is that truly a home?  Sure you can make anyplace a home by being surrounded by friends and family, but it's difficult to make this place home when my family is 7, 156 miles from me.  I am missing my home and my family.  Maybe because I just came back from being at home, maybe because I'm 37 and feeling the need to settle down and have a home, or maybe simply because I miss my mom and dad and brother and sisters and niece and nephew.  OK that's not all that simply.

Yes, God has blessed me tremendously with wonderful friends here in the UAE and I am extremely thankful for them, so maybe I shouldn't be homesick, because God has me here for His purpose and I need to know and believe that it is for the best.  But, I still am missing my family.

Homesick today:(

3 Weeks Back

I find it hard to believe that I've been back for 3 weeks already!  The time sure has gone by fast.  I hope it continues because it will be a while before my next break.  I am enjoying my day off today though.  The next break comes at the end of March so I will have 9 weeks straight. That's quite a long time, but I came back to 12 weeks and now I'm down to 9!!

Really  not much going on.  The kids are getting settled back into the routine, but all that may be thrown out the window due to the day off today.  Hopefully I don't have to start all over all over again!

We had Sport Day last week; much like field day in the States.  I did tell the PE teachers that this was the best "organized chaos" that I have ever experienced for field day.  There were lots of activities and most of the kids participated in at least 3 or 4 of them.  Some of the activities were quite long, like the long distance (3 laps) and circle relay (6 kids once around the track each).  That meant a lot of down time for the ones who weren't running.  I think that was the hardest part; keeping them occupied and out of trouble during the down time.  The day ended with a tug-of-war between the teachers and parents.  The parents won!  Those are some strong women.  Well, the teachers were actually outnumbered by at least 3 to 1, as it was only the 3rd and 4th grade female teachers.  Oh well, it was a lot of fun and a great way to show school spirit!  After the day outside, which was actually quite pleasant, we headed in for the award ceremony.  Much to our excitement the white team (my class, Rozalin's class, and Antony's class) won!!  The kids were super excited and parents took tons of pictures while everyone clamored to touch the trophy.  It was a fun day, but I would like things to settle down to normal again; students keep bringing in treats for the class and that disrupts everything.  Hopefully it will end soon!

This coming week we have International Day.  Our continent is Europe and my class is representing Italy.  It should be fun.  I haven't mentioned it to the kids yet due to Sport Day and our market day last week.  Just too much going on to even think about Italy.  I've been told that the kids go all out for this, why wouldn't they that's what they do!  Lots and lots of food will be brought in.  Which means we'll have tons of pizza!!  They have to start researching and making posters next week.

Grade 4 market day was a blast!  The kids and teachers had so much fun, and surprisingly many of them actually learned the concepts that we were trying to teach.  The market day was our assessment for our economics unit.  We had been focusing on movement of money, cost, supply, demand, choice, and profit so to wrap everything up we had market day.  Each class broke their class into 4-5 groups and each group created a product to sell.  We had laptops, iPhones, origami, book bags, stickers, food, sports equipment and many other products all designed from paper.  The kids really got into this and got real creative with their products.  They even did some on the spot advertising which was great to see!  They reduced prices to sell their products, they offered free items, and they even had people go out and try to persuade others to come to their store.  Great fun and a great final activity!  To me, this is what school's all about.  It's one of those lessons that the kids will not soon forget.  They had fun and they learned!  I hope it continues in future lessons.

The weather here has been cold.  Yes, I know it's freezing back in the States, but it's cold here.  Actually it's very nice in the afternoon and early evening, but as soon as the sun sets it's cold.  The mornings aren't all that bad, but I do need a sweater.  Honestly it's not that bad outside, it's inside that's bad.  The AC in school is set on 17 (62) and that's cold in the mornings.  Sometimes I would prefer to have class outside because it's warmer outside than in the building.  I know in a few months I'll be longing for these chilly mornings and evenings, but right now I just really enjoy the afternoon sunshine.  It's nice to be able to walk to the mall without being drenched in sweat when I get there.

I have been in the beginning stages of planning a trip to Greece for spring break, but my plans may have to change.  I was thinking of a week with a stop in Athens and Lesvos, but that may be a bit too expensive.  I have to think about it and see what else is out there.  I may switch to a cruise.  I want to go somewhere, but I also want to save money and go on a trip to Spain in the summer.  I'll have to continue to check prices and different tour companies.  I mean I do have 9 weeks to plan this out.

75 degrees at 8:00pm.

Back to Work

I have come to the conclusion that it is not a good idea to combine recovering from jet-lag and getting used to being back at work.  I'm tired! 

The flight back to the UAE was full, but uneventful.  I was quite thankful that I didn't end up sitting next to this drunk guy who was hitting on me as we walked on the plane.  In fact I never saw him during the entire flight!!  I only got about 5 hours of sleep, but not like on the trip home when it was 5 consecutive hours.  No issues with passport control either, other than the fact that it took forever.  I got home around 10:30pm.  I unpacked, made my bed, and then went to bed!  Thankfully I slept through the night (I typically do) and woke up bright and early (7:30) to the sun shining in my bedroom. 

I got my errands done and did some planning before I called it a night, around 8:30.  I was actually quite busy on Saturday.  No resting and recovering for me. 

Sunday it was back to work and I actually felt rested when my alarm woke me up at 5:00am.   I made it until about 11:45 before I got really tired.  I was ready to collapse.  Thankfully I made it through the day without falling asleep!  Now that would have been a sight that I'm sure my students would have thoroughly enjoyed!!  I had planned on going to the gym to get back into my workout routine, but I was just way too tired.  So I went home and made a few phone calls, did a bit of work and emails and was asleep by 7:30.  I slept through the night and woke up at 4:30.  A bit early, but I felt rested so I got up.  I enjoyed a nice relaxing morning with 2 cups of coffee!!

Today was a much better day.  I think I may be back on schedule and even plan to go to the gym with Fara later this evening.

School wise the kids were good both yesterday and today.  They were great Sunday morning when they had to figure out where their seat was (workers rearranged the desks to install a new bulletin board and I didn't get there in time to get it back to normal).  We had a bit of time at the end of the day so we played Stinky Hat (a modified version of Duck Duck Goose).  The kids loved it and it was great exercise.  I think we were all pretty tired by the time the parents came!!  I truly enjoy getting to play with them; makes my job fun.

I'm praying that the great start to the new year continues.

Oops I Forgot

When I wrote about the highlights from my trip I can't believe I forgot this one, it definitely should have made the list.

• "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" The Musical - One of my favorite Dr. Seuss books is "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and it just happened to be playing at the Detroit Opera House.  Mom and Dad gave me 2 tickets to the show for Christmas, Mom and I went to see the musical.  It was a great day with Mom!  I enjoyed spending some good quality time with just her.  The show was great!  It was super cute and stuck pretty close to the book.  Of course they had to add some things to make it into a musical, but most of the songs were there.  After the show we enjoyed a different lunch at a new restaurant called Small Plates.  All in all, it was a fantastic day!
• Tigger's surgery - OK this one really isn't a highlight, but I suppose I should have mentioned it.  By the way, Tigger is my cat.  She has been having ear problems pretty much since I got her 6 years ago.  It started with ear mites when she was a baby.  I have always been putting drops in her ear.  It just never seemed to clear up and it just kept getting worse.  The medication would take care of it for a while, but as soon as I stopped giving her the meds it would go backwards.  Turns out she had a polyp in her ear and it needed to be removed.  This was going to require surgery since it was too big to pull out of her ear.  Amy, Dad, and I did a little bit of research and we chose a vet that did the procedure.  Dad and I took her in bright and early the Wed. before the wedding and the vet explained that he would cut open her neck and pull the polyp out.  OK no worries.  We picked her up later that afternoon and she seemed fine.  She ate, played, and bothered Chloe.  Back to normal.  Everything was fine (minus the fact that she was on a lot of medication and it's quite difficult to give a cat pills) until I took her to the local vet 2 weeks after the procedure so she could remove the stitches.  That's all I thought she was going to do.  She ended up checking the ear and telling me that it didn't look right.  What?!  She just had surgery and the vet said it went very well.  Turns out that they didn't remove it all.  So, she had to go back.  Fortunately this polyp was much smaller and he could simply pull it from her ear.  My poor baby:(  From what I understand she is on the road to recovery!

I think that's about it.  Really.  I guess if something else comes to mind I'll add it later:)

It's hot and humid today - 81 degrees at 5:00pm

Time To Go

I have had an amazingly awesome time at home!  It has been a great 3 weeks and I am so glad that I was able to afford this trip.  Here are some highlights from my vacation.

1. Ann's Wedding - What a nice little ceremony and dinner following.  It was great to see Ann looking so happy and excited!  Harry and Ann chose me to do a reading for them at the wedding, so I was very honored to be a part of their special day.  I really am happy for both her and Harry.  Although it was quite cold, the tent kept out the wind so it wasn't as bad as it could have been.  The wedding also provided me the opportunity to see various family members that I haven't seen in quite some time, along with family friends Aunt Diane and Uncle Bill Spain (told you I'd get you in there:). 
2. Christmas Eve at Mom and Dad's - It was great being home for Christmas this year.  It was quite a bummer that all of the Minhinnick's weren't there to celebrate together (Ann had the flu), but we did gather with her, Harry, Ian, and Brenna the following weekend to continue our Christmas celebration.  I really enjoyed celebrating the traditional Minhinnick way: finger foods for dinner on Christmas Eve followed by cookies for dessert and the opening of presents.  Everyone got some very nice gifts and it was wonderful to experience Christmas through the eyes of Alexa and Mason.  Mom, Amy, and I went to midnight mass at St. Joseph's and it was a very nice service reminding us all of the true reason for the season and pointing us to the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of our sins.  We were exhausted when we made it back home at 1:30am, but it was a great day of family and celebrating Christ's birth!  So thankful to be able to be with my family!!
3. Christmas dinner at Mark and Nancy's - Mark put together a great spread for Christmas dinner.  I loved his garlic smashed potatoes and pumpkin roll!  Another nice day with family as we were joined by the Bednarz clan.  It was nice to see Nancy's parents and brother as well as seeing Alexa and Mason again.
4. Watching my Babies for 3 days - Mark and Nancy had to go back to work the day after Christmas and they asked me to watch the kiddos.  What fun!  We had a great time playing in the snow and making a tent in the house along with many other fun activities.  Amy came over and we went to the Ann Arbor Hands-on Museum and spent some more time out in the snow. 
5. New Years Eve - I spent a few hours at Mark and Nancy's before returning home to visit with Aunt Diane and Uncle Bill (see, there I go again!!).  Mark made his most awesome hamburgers and we went to their neighbor's to have them cooked.  After dinner we went back to their house and played games.  It was a fun time, but I wanted to see Aunt Diane and Uncle Bill (one more time!!) before I left and I wanted to be off the road before all the crazies got on the road so I left relatively early and rang in 2013 with Mom, Dad, Amy, Aunt Diane, and Uncle Bill!

I guess that pretty much wraps up the most important events of my Christmas break.  A great time and I am sorry that it is coming to an end. 

What I'm leaving

1. Family
2. Snow
3. Cold weather - 25 degrees at 10:30pm
4. Home cooked meals (maybe I should cook more?)
5. Tigger and Chloe
6. Rest

What I'm returning to

1. Sun
2. Sand
3. Warm weather - 57 degrees at 7:30am
4. Work
5. Redeemer Family
6. My own bed

I am already looking forward to my trip back in July!