Week 1: January 11, 2007

Well the first week of classes is almost done! The week went very fast but it was great getting to know all of the students and staff in the school. I have done a little teaching. For maths I have six students that I work with everyday. We are working in addition and subtraction of thousand numbers. The students for maths are bright but do not like to think and concentrate on their work. So I am trying to get the students to focus more and not worry about what is going on around them. For writing, the students work in their notebooks called jotters and I just walk around the room and help the students with ideas and spelling. During reading class, the students are split into various groups depending on their reading level. At this time, the class usually has about three teachers so I listen to about one or two groups. Yesterday, I was able to start the new science unit, space. I gave a quick introduction to who are scientist and space. For music class, Mrs. Matthews had to teach and we worked on rhythms. The students go to P.E. twice a week but they only have a P.E. specialist once a week, so we have to teach it on the other day. And for art, there is a specialist but she is not here all the time so when she is not we will have to teach.

The curriculum is not much different than what the United States but in my class we do not cover every subject every day. For example, maths are taught everyday but science is only twice a week, Mondays and Thursdays. Personally, this fact is somewhat disappointing.

This weekend Ashley and I are traveling to Glasgow. One of the teachers at Duns Primary offered us a free ride.

Cultural Development Objectives

1. Experience a new culture and lifestyle.
2. Learn different teaching strategies and methods.
3. Be more independent.