Well today was another lovely day in Aus! For some odd reason, it started at 4am for me! I woke up and just couldn't fall back asleep. Thankfully, I made it through my day with hardly a yawn.
We were taken to a small rural school called Wamuran State School. The "State" part of the title indicates that it is funded through the state, or it is equivalent to our "Public" school. We were welcomed to the school by the principals and four student leaders who were in Year 7. We were each given a pinapple because that is what their farming community is known for. They also added that gifting pinapples was a sign of friendship and honor. They said they used to be given to kings and that they were honored that we were here to learn from them, and that they were excited to learn from us as well.
I was placed a Year 7 classroom. The age of the students in this classroom are similar to our 6th graders, but the work they are doing is equivalent to our 4th and 5th grade work. It was kind of a crazy morning because I met up with the students in their Music class, then accompanied them to their P.E. class. From there we moved to their classroom where they had LOTE. I didn't end up meeting the classroom teacher until a half hour before lunch. Lunch was an hour long. The students all ate outside and then had time to play. The entire school eats at the same time but in designated areas. After lunch there was time for the students to read silently until we went to the libray for computer class. All that was left at the end of the day was a half hour for spelling and a half hour that I was in front of the class talking about myself, America's government, and just about living in America in general.
I just thought it was interesting that they had all of their specialist classes in one day during the week. Where, in America usually they are all spread out throughout the week. I like it better spread out throughout the week because it gives both the students and teachers a regular break. A lot of the students asked me questions that basically asked if America really was like the movies they saw. (haha) One student told me I sounded like Taylor Swift. Another student asked if American nerds were only people who had braces and wore glasses. They asked me what the most dangerous animal I've ever seen in America was. Come to think about that, I really could only say a rattle snake.
This school had a very fun atmosphere created for the students. There was a lot of positive encouragement given to the kids, and I saw very positve relationships between the students and teachers. I saw a lot of students giving hugs to their teachers. It seemed to me that America's schools are a bit more serious in this aspect with all of our behavior programs. Of course, it always just comes down to the specific teacher, but this entire school seemed to have a lot of love and fun in it.
One thing that I absolutely love about Australia is that all the schools are open air buildings. Almost all walls are windows that have large shades that can be pulled. Doors are always open and their hallways are all outside. Most hallways, eating areas, and play areas have covers since it rains multiple times a day. Really though, when I say it "rains" here, what I really mean is, "It mists for five minutes or less."
Again, Kari and I ventured off to the mall to get our phones fixed, do some extra looking for some hats, and grab some hairspray to help my hair with the humidity! No worries either, we took the public transportation busses like a couple of pros.
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