Tales of a Traveling Teacher

Halloween is celebrated by dressing up as one that you are not-enjoying some make believe. So... JJ and I took full advantage of that! We dressed up in regency clothes at the Jane Austen Centre, then pretended to be children as we explored the Roman Baths, choosing to listen to the children's audio guides rather than the adults, then on to the amazing Jane Austen tour app where we could prance along in the rain to the classical music as the app guided us through this enchanting city! We ended our great day in Bath with a ghost tour, which although a tad disappointing, was a great way to end Halloween in a foreign city!

The Romans, and many groups of people after them, believed that the hot springs in this area had healing powers. I haven't even touched the hot springs yet, but I can honestly say I agree that this place has healing powers. I'm quickly falling in love with the narrow streets, ancient buildings, gentle-flowing river, street markets, friendly people all wrapped up in a city the size of such that after just a few hours I already feel like I know my way around. This morning we took advantage of a free walking tour which took us to some of the major attractions and taught us a bit more about this ancient city. While we definitely felt and looked like tourists walking along the narrow lanes in a giant group, it was an enjoyable way to speak with fellow travelers and learn more! Along the way, I actually ran into someone I knew! Yes, me, a foreigner in a foreign land visiting a different city ran into one of her current co-workers. It is truly a small world! What fun! The summer t...

Today I was "wowed" at each and every of our stops! JJ and I started the morning with a quick tour around Gosport, where she is currently living and then started off on our journey towards Bath. The drive is really not all too far, but we took several well-worth it stops and so the enjoyable journey took us nearly the entire day! Our first stop was Salisbury Cathedral, a cathedral grander than many I have seen-and I've been blessed in my life to see many. The cathedral could easily rival Notre Dame and yet, many have never heard of it. Most of the cathedral was built in the 13th century, a feat that in itself is impressive. The enormity of it, mixed with all of the intricate details was enthralling. Just as I'm sure was intended, I felt small in comparison. Our next stop was a stop I've had on "my list" for most of my life-Stonehenge! Wow! I had heard that it was basically a pile of rocks in a field. And yes, that is true, but there is something my...

Today was the first day on a week long adventure driving through the southern part of England. I started off at Windsor Castle, where I believe the queen was in residence, but sadly I did not bump into her! The castle, of course is incredible, ornate and more like a fortified village. My favorite part was definitely the doll house which was fully functioning-including the plumbing! Great artists were even commissioned to make miniature paintings to hang in the four storied miniature palace. I must admit that the little girl in me (who in fact is not all too far below the surface) wished the thick glass panels could be taken away so that I could get in and truly explore each nook and cranny, finding the uniqueness in all of those itty bitty items. I also enjoyed doing a bit of shopping and sat at a little cafe enjoying a hot chocolate and scone. Windsor is a lovely town and I could have spent a lot more time there, but there were more places to discover. I drove down country roads...

Jane, Herman and I are packed and ready for our week long road trip that begins tomorrow! We're excited for more sight-seeing adventures!

This morning, I had the opportunity to go and hear a speaker at a local secondary school.  He had some fabulous ideas about differentiating lessons and great ways to get all kids engaged in the lesson from the get-go.  There were great ideas that I hope to be able to use here and when I return home. Today was also the end of my first half-term.  The school year here is divided into three terms; in the middle of each term there is a one week holiday and at the end a two week holiday.  I really think I am going to love this schedule of working for six or seven weeks and then getting a week off, although I do hope that my brain will still work in the summer term!  There was a movement a while back in Alabama pushing for a schedule more like this, but I believe they failed in naming it "year-round school" rather than "frequent holiday school." To celebrate the ending of a great first half-term, a few of us went to the local pub for a drink, and yes, many of...

I had a great, busy day at school today - rescued a frog who had foolishly wandered into the locker room, had new students come to the knitting club (including one boy!), and then met with about 25 sets of parents! I am used to meeting with parents about this time of year at home and it really is a good chance for us to touch base.  The year is getting into full swing, we are starting to get to know the kids really well, seeing their talents and their struggles.  Rarely do I come across a parent who is truly frustrated - most are very supportive and eager to ensure the year goes well for their child.  It was no different here.  The parents were very supportive and I was thrilled to hear that most of the children seem to be settling into the middle school well - enjoying their classes and happy to be at school.  Many of the parents went out of their way to ask me how I was enjoying England, and one even asked to make sure I had plans for Christmas.   ...

Once a term (3 times a year), Fulbrook let's go of regular academic lessons and participates in a Super Learning Day.  Each year level does something a little different, and the children are definitely learning throughout the day, but they aren't necessarily academic lessons, rather big investigations or life lessons. The year 5 team decided that we would each teach one of our own skills or talents and rotate our classes around.  The other teachers taught great talents such as origami, tangrams and even card games. When discussing what talents we would share, it didn't take me long to think of mine.  Line dancing. Yes, perhaps it sounds like a silly talent, but if you know me well, or have ever been with me at a wedding, you know that I love my line dances: everything from the Electric Slide to the Cupid Shuffle to the Cotton Eyed Joe and many in between.  I think I learned my first line dances from Coach Lavercombe while I was at Highlands, my elementary school,...

Working with children can often keep you young, but sometimes it can make you feel old.  Today was the latter. I gave the students this story to read... One of my pupils asked, "Miss Smith, were you alive in the 1930s?"

Lots have people have asked what the food is like here, and what I've been eating, so here you have it... I'm not at all what you would call adventurous when it comes to food (did you read the bit about me having a peanut butter and honey sandwich everyday since who knows when?).  I had applied to go and teach in some other places like Czech Republic and Hungary, and countries like Mexico and India are also on the Fulbright Teacher Exchange program.  If I had been placed in one of those countries, I probably would have been much more anxious and cautious about food, but I wasn't nervous at all about the food here in England, and it has been great! The food is not all too different: there are hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries (chips), pizza, etc.  There is fruit and vegetables galore, and I was even able to find okra that was grown in Jordan.  There is not as much Mexican food, but there is some, and there are lots more Indian restaurants.  They actually eat...

When I first got my placement and learned that I would be in a small village not too far from London, I was absolutely thrilled.  I hoped I could get to London often, but I was glad I wasn't going to be right inside the city.  So far, my first thoughts have been right!  I love being in a little village where people become more familiar and everything is in walking distance, but I am loving the opportunity to go to London on the weekends and explore the city.  It truly is a magical city and I've really enjoyed getting to experience it - not just running around checking things off the tourist guide. I spent Friday night and Saturday with Stephanie, a new-found friend and fellow-Fulbrighter.  It was great to catch up on school and experiences so far as we work through similar adventures in teaching and living overseas. Saturday morning we ventured up to Notting Hill.  We had planned to meet up with a tour walk through the neighborhood, but due to some out-...

I had a wonderful day today being a tourist with fellow Fulbrighter, Stephanie. We had a great day of touring and shopping and then went to see a play this evening. The play, "Our Boys," was a story of young soldiers recovering together in a military hospital. Parts of the story were very funny, as young men live together, making the most of their situations, but many parts of the story were very depressing, even ending on a sad note. But thankfully, Stephanie and I ended on a happy note! Matthew Lewis (aka Neville Longbottom) was in the play and probably the main reason we went to see it. We waited outside the stage door and got to meet him! He was as gracious and humble as we could have hoped!

I bleed orange and blue. It's something I cannot hide and something I'm incredibly proud of. Even in these trying times, I'm proud to be an Auburn fan! Six years ago, when I was in New Zealand, I introduced the kids to Aubie, and they absolutely loved him. I took a mini stuffed Aubie who got to spend each day with a different pupil and then they wrote in his journal about all of his adventures. He was a member of the family-the kids were always aware of where he was and wanted to make sure he was included. We watched videos of him competing for his own National Championships and the kids just couldn't get enough. This afternoon in American Studies, I taught the kids all about American football! We had a blast! They knew a good bit and were curious about the other bits. After the discussion about the general rules, I showed clips of a game and decided that showing the best game I've ever witnessed, one of the happiest moments in my life, would of course be the be...

This evening, I had the pleasure of having dinner with two of Kelly's wonderful friends whom have been so kind as to take me in under their wings and include me as a friend as well.  This swap truly is a life swap!  It wouldn't be possible to do this swap if we didn't have friends and family there to support the other, and I'm so thankful Kelly has left me with such wonderful ones!  We chose Italian tonight, a  great place called Ask and took advantage of their dinner and dessert special so that we not only enjoyed a tasty meal, but also a lovely dessert! I thoroughly enjoyed my risotto, but with the wonderful company, I would have been happy eating just about anything!

Yes, I know, that might be the most unique title I will ever have for a blog. :) Once a week, I am teaching a technology class to my form class.  This is something I've really never had any experience with.  Now at home, of course there are times when I have used the computers with my class, but as far as teaching them about technology, that is something I leave up to the fabulous Mrs. Miller, aka "computer girl."  I'm thankful now for all of those times that I stayed in the classroom when she was teaching my students so I could pick up on a few things, like the website that I used today.  The lesson today was on web-browsing.  We talked about pros and cons of using the internet to search and the students went through an activity where they helped someone who was researching online.  The students, for the most part, are pretty tech savvy and so they knew about dangers on the internet and how anyone can publish things on the internet, so not to believe all...

In English over the last few weeks, we have been studying the skill of inferring.  We've talked about how author's don't always tell you everything there is to know, that you have to use your everyday knowledge and clues from the text to figure it out.  For homework this week, the student's were supposed to make some sort of poster explaining what inferring meant.  This kid hit the nail on the head!

There was a glorious sunrise this morning, marking my second month into this year-long adventure!

As a US citizen, I have the right to vote for those whom I believe will make the best decisions and lead our country in the right direction, even if I'm not currently living in the country. Today, I filled out my absentee ballot. As you can imagine, the information from Jefferson County was not the easiest to follow, and so, it took me quite sometime. I did enjoy the fact that I could look up things on the internet about amendments I was unclear about and look back at some information I had asked well-informed friends about. I'm proud to be a citizen of America, I'm proud to cast my vote in this important election, and I'm thankful for this opportunity to pursue happiness, wherever I chose!

I had the pleasure of playing tour guide to a fellow Fulbrighter and his family today.  They are living about one and a half hours north of me, and decided to come down for the day.  It was lovely to see them and get to catch up about life in England and teaching.  We left the house, and although there was only a small chance of rain, since we didn't take a raincoat or umbrella, it began to hail.  Yep, it hailed on us... we decided that of course we should know better by now, living in England, that we should always be prepared for a change in weather.  But that just meant we stopped and ate before our walk, rather than vice versa. Showing off our local tourist attractions - the Sturges Family showing just how long Greg's gold medal jump was!   A little rain just made for fun photos! Fall colors are beginning to show Neighboring Village of Aspley Guise I've seen lots of rainbows in this country - it must be the perfect mix of rain an...

If you know me at all, you know my daily ritual includes a peanut butter and honey sandwich and has for as long as I can remember. My mother would make it with just the right consistency and pop it in my pink Strawberry Shortcake lunchbox while at Highlands Day School, my college roommates recall me pulling out my tray for lunch to make myself this delicious sandwich and my fellow fourth grade teachers were always amused at the lack of variety in the lunches I have packed for myself for the past six years. Before my trip, I had heard some horror stories about England-that they didn't have peanut butter!  I know, it's not quite the kind of horror story that Stephen King would right about, but nevertheless, I lost some sleep over it. Kelly assured me though that there was peanut butter here. So the change to move across the Atlantic was no big deal since I didn't have to worry about changing my daily meal. We as Americans seem to love our peanut butter-it's in every...

"It's opener there, in the wide open air.  Out there things can happen and frequently do to people as brainy and footsy as you.  And when things start to happen, don't worry, don't stew, just go right along and you'll start happening too!" - Dr. Seuss Somedays, things start to happen and I roll right along.  But some days, I feel like a brand new teacher, lost and "hung up in a prickly perch."  Today was the former.  Today was a great day!  It was just one of those days when things all went quite well. This morning, before many of you were even beginning to hit the snooze button, I was dissecting the heart of a lamb.  We have been studying healthy eating, muscles and the heart over the last few weeks, and today the kids got to see what a real heart looked like.  I must admit, I was a tad nervous.  No, I'm sorry, that was a lie, I was very nervous.  What if I cut it open the wrong way?  What if I can't identify the right thing...

This afternoon, I went to a neighboring school to partake in a couple hours worth of professional development about inspirational teaching. It was a great time to be rejuvenated and inspired by fellow teachers!

Today, the biggest thing that happened to me had nothing to do with the giant slug outside my classroom that was kicked onto a girl's shoe, or watching kids run around picking up cubes representing carbon dioxide and oxygen as they ran through the "body" pretending to be blood or even watching the baby dove fly onto the flower pot as he knocked his mother off her spot.  No, the biggest thing that happened to me today happened thousands of miles across the Atlantic.  This morning, around 7:30 central time, Watkins Alexander was born. Ann Wright and Elizabeth I am fortunate to be an only child and reap the benefits that come from my parents attention, but also fortunate enough to have people I can call as brothers and sisters when I choose.  My family has always been very close, not just by mileage.  We grew up getting together for every holiday and birthday, celebrating accomplishments both big and small of we, the  seven cousins.  During our growing u...

For two countries to have the same language, it is absolutely amazing how many differences there are!  I was watching television tonight when this advert (commercial) came on.  I decided that today, in stead of summing things up with a photograph, I'd try a video clip! Enterprise

A Sunday Roast is a very common, very typical meal in England. The meat may vary, but the meal is typically similar. Chris is a wonderful cook and when he asked me to stay for Sunday Roast, well I couldn't resist as I hadn't yet had a traditional roast! It was, of course, delicious, and the company was even better. It was a lovely way to end my weekend in London!