SARAH
Elementary Education
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SARAH
Elementary Education
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A Day In The Life
My days here in Siena have been packed to the brim with good stuff. I've got a nice routine going by now. When living abroad, I've found that settling into a routine you like is the best way to mitigate negative effects of culture shock and missing home. I start each morning around 7AM with a hot espresso (definitely going to need an espresso maker when I come home - so good!), some yogurt, and sometimes toast provided by my host. My morning routine is shorter here than it is at home, given that I don’t have to take my dog out for a walk - though I do spend a lot of time missing her - I don’t have to make my own breakfast, or wait for a whole pot of coffee to brew. I’m usually up and out the door in about 30 minutes from the time I wake up. The bus gets us to school about half an hour before we need to get there. Because of this, Molly and I have been spending our mornings on the “thinking bench” near a dog park by our school. We have second breakfast, talk about our day, and watch the various dogs playing the park. I really enjoy this part of the day. The kids start to arrive between 8:30 and 9:00, and we begin our day with a morning circle. We greet each other and talk about the day ahead. Unlike schools where I’ve worked in the U.S., the schedule in our classroom is far more fluid. This allows teachers to plan their day in a way that makes sense for their students. For example, on Monday, we were learning about water filtration systems (how water gets from its source to the tap). We watched a video and talked about the different parts of the process. Then, the students were asked to represent their understanding of how water gets to the tap using whatever methods or resources they felt were appropriate. They were SO into it. Because of their high level of engagement and enthusiasm, this activity, which began mid-morning, ran all the way until lunch time, and continued into the afternoon. The flexibility of the daily schedule allowed us to take our time, and for the students to create work that they were truly proud of. At lunch all teachers eat together with the students. Everyone eats the same lunch - nobody can bring their own. This is a rule that I’m not sure I quite understand. Something to do with allergies, religion, and the like. School lunch is pretty good though! It’s usually pasta or soup with a vegetable and a meat or other protein. They have all the options available for students and teachers alike: vegan, gluten-free, halal, kosher, etc. On Wednesday, we had a break in normal routine and went on a field trip to the water museum. We got to go underground and see some of Siena’s aqueducts and fountains. I definitely would have learned more if I knew Italian. All of the indoor displays and videos were in Italian. I can understand/read enough and see enough to get this gist of things, but I would have loved to learn about the history of Siena’s waterways in more detail. According to the teachers who speak Italian, the guide was far too technical for the students to understand, even the Italian native speakers. They loved it anyway, especially the underground part! After school, I walk home. It’s about a 40 minute walk along twisty, narrow streets: a view of the city of Siena on one side, the countryside on the other. When I get home, most days I go for a run in the countryside. It’s gorgeous, but exhaustingly hilly! I think I’m getting used to the hills, though, as my runs have been getting a little faster this week! We don’t eat dinner until 8 or 8:30PM. I usually get a run in and all my school work prepped for the next day before dinner. As much as I love our hosts and the amazing food they make, having next to no control over what or when I eat has been a bit of an adjustment for me! Especially as an active person, I love to cook and eat healthy meals whenever I want. This is far from a complaint, however, as one of the hosts learned to cook from her mother who was, apparently, the cook to a Belgian ambassador! Needless to say, we’re eating well! For the next post, maybe I'll try and take some pictures of our meals.
4 Comments
Nancy Chicola
4/7/2019 06:05:09 pm
Sarah,
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Dr. Patti
4/8/2019 09:38:29 pm
Hi Sarah. I am a professor in the Exceptional Education Department and I am very excited to read about your experiences in student teaching abroad. Thank you for sharing in such detail. I enjoyed reading your latest post in which you described your typical day there. It sounds like you are adjusting well to a new routine and having less control over things than you might have at home. I know it can be challenging. Please keep the great blog posts coming!
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Patty Recchio
4/9/2019 05:46:14 pm
Wow! The water unit sounds amazing! It's hard to believe these students are in the equivalent of our grade 1! I love the pics...especially the dramatic scenery!
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Julie Henry
4/11/2019 12:53:03 pm
I like the way you describe how your routines sustain you in a new environment. That is interesting to ponder. I also love the word fluid in describing the water unit. That engaged hum of discovery sounds like what I want most for all children. Thanks for sharing!
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AuthorHello! Ciao! I'm originally from the rural Finger Lakes region of New York state, but I've lived in Michigan, Japan, South Korea, and now, Siena! I originally got into the field of education after teaching English in South Korea. I've continued to study education because kid-brains never cease to astound me. Apart from spending lots of classroom time with young children, I really love to run. I am excited to explore the gorgeous Tuscan hills on foot. Hopefully all the hiking will balance out the ridiculous amounts of pasta and cheese I am sure to consume. Thanks for following along! Archives
May 2019
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