Experiencing Europe!

So I obviously went to Paris this last weekend! It was unbelievable... I'm still in disbelief that I was there - so much to take in! Trips in Europe are extremely inexpensive.

Today, I had the incredible opportunity to visit a German elementary school; Heiligenbergschule Heidelberg! My friend, Stefanie, was teaching a lesson (in English class) - so she invited me along! She was 1 of 4 "student teachers" that I observed. The first 2 girls taught a lesson concerning squirrels and their body parts, etc... in a 4th grade class. FYI: Squirrel is a difficult word to say! There is no 'qu' or 'w' sound in the German language. These students could easily read the English language, but answering questions in English was a bit more challenging.

I then observed Stefanie and another girl teach a lesson regarding the names of certain school supplies. To get the students engaged, Stefanie used the "Cookie Monster" hand puppet - which they loved. The girls did a great job of communicating the lesson to these youngsters. Very little German was used during instruction - 95% English.

My favorite part of this experience was when I went to the gym with the 1st graders, and during our downtime, I tried conversing with these students by saying, "ich spreche kein Deutsch" (I don't speak German). At this, their little eyes and mouths widened with disbelief! haha It was adorable. As we sat down on the gym floor awaiting our turn to engage in some fun activity, I used hand motions to guide them with my English words (i.e. I had a thumbs up and said "English..... GOOD" and a thumbs down and said "bad..... Deutsch?") Several students then caught on and started helping me with words and then started to point to articles of clothing and parts of my face by stating the German name and waited for my English response --- it was AMAZING!

I have been really blessed with the people I'm with and the opportunities I have had! Future student teachers MUST get out here, get out of their comfort zone, and experience this culture and DoDDS!

Well, as always, if there are any questions, concerns, or comments - leave one!

Signing Off From Germany...

Brandon

First off... you can click the photos to enlarge them! Hey guys! So, this last week has been very busy. I started teaching classes this week (math and social studies). It has been lots of fun! As you'll see through the pictures I post, our school had a "Book Character Day Parade" and almost every student got involved! I was Fagin from Oliver Twist by the way.

This past weekend I visited Schloss Heidelberg (Heidelberg Castle) which was amazing. My German friend, Stefanie, gave me a tour, complete with myths concerning aspects of the castle!

On a side note, the student teacher that was in my class right before me, is a German student named Stefanie. Her university, the University of Heidelberg, requires their students to do part of their experience abroad. She is a superb teacher, student, and desires so much to help these little learners succeed. She wants to come to the United States and I informed her about Lubbock as a choice. -*-If anyone reading this knows what steps she would need to take so that perhaps Texas Tech could serve as a courtesy supervising university, please let me know.-*-

Today, we had a school-wide mock election. It was a BIG deal! The voting room was very well decorated with a secret voting booth, flags, patriotic music, etc... The results came around 1:30pm- Barack Obama with 50%, John McCain with 48%, & other 2%. The students were very excited about voting - it looked so legitimate. I have also been (and still am) teaching about elections and voting this week in social studies.

This thursday and friday are parent teacher conferences all day. Our 9 week quarter ended last week, and we are letting the parents know how their child is progressing while addressing any questions or concerns students OR parents might have.

Pictures: school-wide mock election (x2), University of Heidelberg's College of Education, German Elementary School, "thick tower" from the castle, me on castle balcony (x2), my 3rd grade class dressed up, Book Character Day Parade, Stefanie and I (student teachers).

Well, I hope you all are doing fantastic! I'm actually going to Paris and Dachau this weekend!! I am going with the USO - which costs a grand total of $100... how can you pass that?!? Tschüß (bye) & GO TECH!

Well, I actually started observing on Wednesday (22nd). There are 23 students in our 3rd grade class (and some can speak German!) The school is 3 stories and is connected with the middle and high school. It's a very interesting setup. Our class is on the 1st floor, and the library ("Information Center") is on the 2nd long with the office, and computer class is on the 3rd floor.
And as for the gender of my roommates, 1 is a guy and 14 are girls.
Wednesday, after my first day at the school, I went downtown and took some pictures and got a little tour guide from one of my fellow student teachers. Those pics should be posted. Wednesday evening, the whole staff of DoDDS that is in any way associated with the student teachers had dinner at Scheffel's Kulturbrauerei Heidelberg - it was amazing, I had "suckling pig!"
The student teacher that was in my class previous my arrival is German. She voluntarily took this position in order to familiarize herself with the American educational system. She was at the dinner and I will have the opportunity to see her teach in my (our) 3rd grade class on Thursday. She also volunteered to be my German tutor!
Lastnight, I decided what I will do for Thanksgiving, so I booked a trip to Dublin! It was only 10 Euro there and like 40 Euro back! That's like $65! It was cheaper, but I missed the cheap date by a day.
Next week, I will observe and take it from there.
There's a photo of my me, my cooperating teacher, and her previous German student teacher.
The photo of a boy with wings that is labeled, "Uni-Shop," was a student jail for for the University of Heidelberg college students... haha.

Oh, and since it's a military post - I pretty much live and work in a "fenced-in" community with guards everywhere. I have to check in and out with guards (they are sometimes German, American, or other ethnicities). I live on PHV (Patrick Henry Village), but my school is located on Mark Twain Village or MTV. I have ridden the military shuttle and German bus now - very exciting.

Today (Saturday), I actually went to Mannheim to watch a movie at a German theatre. They are much nicer than American theatres (cleaner and more elegant I guess you would say). They are more expensive though, about 9 Euro = $11.

Signing off from Germany...

Brandon

Hey guys!
Well, I'm in Germany safe and sound. The flight was pleasant and when I arrived there was someone waiting for me. We went to visit the school to fill out necessary paperwork and then to acquire my military post ID (Installation ID). Tomorrow, I plan to get my "privilege pass" to purchase things at the commissary and PX.
I am sharing an apartment with 6 other student teachers, and the apartment below me is filled with 8 other student teachers. Most of the student teachers are from Washington State and Michigan. Since I'm the only Texan... they gave me the nickname, "Tex."
I plan to start observing on the 27th.
The school has about 110 students. I'm the 3rd student teacher at the elementary and the rest of them are scattered between the middle and high schools on the post.

Any questions/comments... leave a post!

Testing 1-2-3...

Okay... So I'll try to update this blog as much as I can with experiences, pictures, and responses. You still can facebook me, too - I'll be checking both.
I leave on Monday, October 20th around 3pm! I should arrive in Frankfurt the next day in the afternoon. My 2nd student teaching placement will begin on the 27th! I will be with a 3rd grade class at Mark Twain Elementary; this will be located on an American Military Base in Heidelberg, Germany. My placement will end on December 5th and I will arrive back in Lubbock on December 10th... and graduate 3 days later!