DONE!
Yes it's been a week and a half since I last wrote a blog. I've been busy!
Last week was my last week of my major professional experience. It flew by faster than any before it. I'm going to miss those little kids and I'd love to see how some of them turn out by year 6! I will send the class a postcard from Perth and hopefully keep in touch with Jenni and Tracy. They wrote me an unbelievable prac report and I leave there full of confidence that I've really found my career. I can't wait to get home and start looking for work and getting paid for it and feeling like a bonified teacher!
This past weekend Julia, Jared and I did our normal thing. Training, walking and just chatting and having a good time. Really trying to soak up Wollongong as much as we can because we know it's almost over! Since I sold my trainer last Thursday, I had to ride on the road on the weekend! :( Just not the same workout. I did have some fun though, riding up to a couple lookouts and seeing parts of the area I otherwise wouldn't have. On Monday we had to go into campus and drop off our reports and go to a wrap up meeting. Big ole waste of time.
Also last week I started reading a John Grisham book called The Appeal. I read a bunch during the week, 10 pages here, 10 there... But then on the weekend I read about 300 pages between Sunday evening and Monday morning to finish it off! I haven't read a novel like that in forever! It felt great to have read a book. I figured I want to read some more so Julia and I went to the mission and I got a couple more (A Tom Clancy and a robert Ludlum) and Jared gave me one as well. My goal is to read all three before I get home to Stittsville. Clancy is my biggest challenge at 1270 pages, then the Ludlum is about 500 and the Koontz is about 400. That oughta keep me busy while travelling! I look forward to relaxing on beaches with a good book... hahaha, what a friggin' nerd.
The three of us managed to sell our tickets to the grad ball. Quite frankly we don't like the people there so chances are we wouldn't have a great time anyhow. We spent $65 on each ticket back in like August or September and we sold 'em for 2 x $40 and 1 x $20. A big hit, yes, but at least we don't have to waste a night of our lives on that. The 3 of us are going up to Sydney today and are going to stay over at Michelle's place and just hang out and see the city again.
So we get back tomorrow evening (Thursday) and we spend Friday getting everything finally cleaned up and packed and we leave Saturday. Our flight isn't until 8:40PM but we wanna get the heck outta here without saying bye to these broads we live with so what we're going to do is take everything down to Jared's (whose place is on the way to the train anyhow) and leave it all there for the day and we're going to have a picnic out by the water during the day and then we'll take off on the train around late afternoon. Just a domestic flight so we only have to be there an hour early, but we seem to enjoy hanging around airports. I can't believe it's almost here! Here's to hoping everything goes smoothly with flights and campervans and car rentals and such. Let the party begin!!!
For the time that we're travelling, I will keep a pen and paper blog as I won't have a computer. I will send quick emails as often as possible to those who want to keep tabs on us and will try to put up photos (though unlikely) on facebook whenever possible.
The next six weeks will never be forgotten by either of us. I can't wait to create all these amazing memories with my tiny Tuna.
Gooooooodbyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyye Wolllllongongggggggg!!!!!!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Quickie
Have to make this quick ;cause we're about to go out to Wooly's to pick up a few things.
SHEESH! won't be able to say that too many more times!
My prac report is written! It's like I'm done! 3 more days to go! WOOOO HOOOO!!!! Unbelievable! I've had a few good lessons this week as well. Today we made Fairy Bread! (Bread with butter and sprinkles, it's an actual thing over here). It was part of a maths lesson on halves and quarters. :) I've also started giving out money this week that they'll use on Friday to purchase some stuff at the Canadian gift shop before we fly home to Australia. I'm also going to have them make some masks as an art lesson and Jared and I will wear a couple of them to the masquerade ball!
OK that's it for now. imust go get this stuff done so I can nap before I skype Ray tonight at 11PM! EEK.
Love to you all!
PS - We'll be travelling in 10 days!!!! AWWWWWWWWESOME!!!! Probably the BIGGEST travelling adventure of our lives! We will return changed people, guaranteed.
SHEESH! won't be able to say that too many more times!
My prac report is written! It's like I'm done! 3 more days to go! WOOOO HOOOO!!!! Unbelievable! I've had a few good lessons this week as well. Today we made Fairy Bread! (Bread with butter and sprinkles, it's an actual thing over here). It was part of a maths lesson on halves and quarters. :) I've also started giving out money this week that they'll use on Friday to purchase some stuff at the Canadian gift shop before we fly home to Australia. I'm also going to have them make some masks as an art lesson and Jared and I will wear a couple of them to the masquerade ball!
OK that's it for now. imust go get this stuff done so I can nap before I skype Ray tonight at 11PM! EEK.
Love to you all!
PS - We'll be travelling in 10 days!!!! AWWWWWWWWESOME!!!! Probably the BIGGEST travelling adventure of our lives! We will return changed people, guaranteed.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
KE does the Aquarium, with a Tuna for a tour guide!
Today our class went up to Sydney to go to the aquarium. What a day! We got on the bus just after 8AM and were off! It was a long ride up and I had to continually tell the kids to quit messing around, but can't really blame 'em. They were told to go pee before 'cause we weren't gonna stop! But we did stop once for one kid who ended up peeing behind a tree and then a girl (Miri) came to the back and squatted over an ice cream container. After those mild dramas we made it to Sydney, everyone got the chance to go pee and have a snack and then we headed in! OH! And we met the little Tunes just outside the place. :) She met my teachers and they were very nice to her. :) We walked around and I took extra care of Majed, joseph, Shantae and Jean. We saw TONS fo really cool fish (Sting Rays, sharks, Dugongs, turtles, crocodile etc etc).
After all that fun stuff we took the mini train all around Darling Harbour and then got let off near the park where we were going to have lunch and let the kids play until we caught the bus back. Well Jenni told us to go have lunch on our own and be back in like 30 minutes or so. That was cool by me! So we took off and went and bought a salad and then watched some really cool singing / music by a Bahrainian group, I think it was a promotion for a new airline. After that we headed back over to where the kids were, got all packed up and we started heading over towards where the bus was. We stopped and were just hanging out for a bit in a shady area near where we were to be picked up. There was a massive ferris wheel there and the guy let everyone on for free! How awesome is that!!! Reg $12 each! Cool! So even Tunes got on for free! Cool views on that thing. After our ride we boarded the bus and headed home. end of story.
After all that fun stuff we took the mini train all around Darling Harbour and then got let off near the park where we were going to have lunch and let the kids play until we caught the bus back. Well Jenni told us to go have lunch on our own and be back in like 30 minutes or so. That was cool by me! So we took off and went and bought a salad and then watched some really cool singing / music by a Bahrainian group, I think it was a promotion for a new airline. After that we headed back over to where the kids were, got all packed up and we started heading over towards where the bus was. We stopped and were just hanging out for a bit in a shady area near where we were to be picked up. There was a massive ferris wheel there and the guy let everyone on for free! How awesome is that!!! Reg $12 each! Cool! So even Tunes got on for free! Cool views on that thing. After our ride we boarded the bus and headed home. end of story.
Friday, November 6, 2009
It's Official
Dear Brian,
I refer to your application for employment as a teacher with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, and subsequent interview on 17-09-2009.
I am pleased to advise that you have been recommended as suitable for employment as a teacher in NSW public schools and the processing of your application will proceed if all required supporting documentation has been received.
You are invited to apply for an interim casual teaching approval as soon as you have completed your final professional experience. Recall your application here to commence this process.
Make sure you read teach.START for up to date information about the graduate recruitment program.
We will forward your final approval as soon as we receive a final transcript from your university.
Regards,teach.NSW
How good does that feel?! Good enough to make this discomfort of being 2:33:20 into a 4 hour trainer ride disappear! At least momentarily.
It's odd that I get an internet connection down here so that's pretty cool too!
Today I'll finish off 4 hours on the bike (if the tire holds up) and a 30 min run right after and then chill out, get some prac stuff done and start some planning for the end of the year issues. :) Most important training session of the year baby!!!!!!!!! Watching 2004 Tour De France.
It's all sorta coming to an end! Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
I refer to your application for employment as a teacher with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, and subsequent interview on 17-09-2009.
I am pleased to advise that you have been recommended as suitable for employment as a teacher in NSW public schools and the processing of your application will proceed if all required supporting documentation has been received.
You are invited to apply for an interim casual teaching approval as soon as you have completed your final professional experience. Recall your application here to commence this process.
Make sure you read teach.START for up to date information about the graduate recruitment program.
We will forward your final approval as soon as we receive a final transcript from your university.
Regards,teach.NSW
How good does that feel?! Good enough to make this discomfort of being 2:33:20 into a 4 hour trainer ride disappear! At least momentarily.
It's odd that I get an internet connection down here so that's pretty cool too!
Today I'll finish off 4 hours on the bike (if the tire holds up) and a 30 min run right after and then chill out, get some prac stuff done and start some planning for the end of the year issues. :) Most important training session of the year baby!!!!!!!!! Watching 2004 Tour De France.
It's all sorta coming to an end! Noooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)
Saturday, October 31, 2009
A week of prac and Halloween
I had an awesome week of prac! This week my theme was the winter Olympics. We had an opening ceremony, lessons on hockey, bobsled, skiing/snowboarding, mascots, paralympics and medals. They all went pretty well (expectations can't be terribly high).
I also planned and implemented a week of reading groups and a few maths lessons. Did more teaching than my prac teachers! (Jenni and Tracey)
I also managed 7.5 hours of training (hopefully more this week). Did 1 hour of cycling on Monday and increased that by 15 minutes each morning til I was at 2 hours by Friday morning.
Yesterday was Halloween. There was a party at a "Canadian" house but I'm happy to say that Jared, Julia and I WEREN'T there. :) Not a fan of most of these Canadians that are here, they're friggin' weiners and it's scary that some of 'em are going to be teachers. Not people I want to socialize with. We had a great day though yesterday nonetheless.
I did 3 hours of cycling immediately followed by a 30 minute run. Ate and then Jared came over and we went out to the beach for 2:30 - 4. Crashed some MAJOR huge waves which was a blast then just chilled out on the beach tannin' up. Nice and relaxing! The awesome weather is finally back. After that we came home, met up with Tune and the three of us left here at about 5ish, walked down to Jared's to pick up a couple DVDs and then walked around North beach and the Harbour for a bit and then eventually up to a Pizza place called "Crust". They have UNBELIEVABLE pizzas. We each had a medium (kinda like a small back home). Mine had lamb, bocconcini cheese, veggies etc... awesome. We took them back down to South beach and ate 'em down there as it got dark. We finally got back home at about 8:15PM and just chilled out and watched a couple of SNL DVDs that Jerry picked up for $5 each at the Reject Shop. I started passing out at about 9:30 and was out by 10PM. Slept in til 5:30AM and looking forward to a similar day today! Except less outside stuff unfortunately, as I have a tono f planning to do for this week, otherwise I'll be killing myself every night after school. I'm going to go for a 2.5 horu run this morning and an hour on the bike, then maybe hit the beach til early/mid afternoon but then it's pure planning stuff for the rest of the day. This week's theme is famous Canadians. :) I think tomorrow I'll do a lesson on theinteractive whiteboard, introducing Ray and showing some videos of him.
OK, gotta get this party started! Summer is here! It's 6:30AM and SUUUUUUNNNNNNYYYYY!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
I also planned and implemented a week of reading groups and a few maths lessons. Did more teaching than my prac teachers! (Jenni and Tracey)
I also managed 7.5 hours of training (hopefully more this week). Did 1 hour of cycling on Monday and increased that by 15 minutes each morning til I was at 2 hours by Friday morning.
Yesterday was Halloween. There was a party at a "Canadian" house but I'm happy to say that Jared, Julia and I WEREN'T there. :) Not a fan of most of these Canadians that are here, they're friggin' weiners and it's scary that some of 'em are going to be teachers. Not people I want to socialize with. We had a great day though yesterday nonetheless.
I did 3 hours of cycling immediately followed by a 30 minute run. Ate and then Jared came over and we went out to the beach for 2:30 - 4. Crashed some MAJOR huge waves which was a blast then just chilled out on the beach tannin' up. Nice and relaxing! The awesome weather is finally back. After that we came home, met up with Tune and the three of us left here at about 5ish, walked down to Jared's to pick up a couple DVDs and then walked around North beach and the Harbour for a bit and then eventually up to a Pizza place called "Crust". They have UNBELIEVABLE pizzas. We each had a medium (kinda like a small back home). Mine had lamb, bocconcini cheese, veggies etc... awesome. We took them back down to South beach and ate 'em down there as it got dark. We finally got back home at about 8:15PM and just chilled out and watched a couple of SNL DVDs that Jerry picked up for $5 each at the Reject Shop. I started passing out at about 9:30 and was out by 10PM. Slept in til 5:30AM and looking forward to a similar day today! Except less outside stuff unfortunately, as I have a tono f planning to do for this week, otherwise I'll be killing myself every night after school. I'm going to go for a 2.5 horu run this morning and an hour on the bike, then maybe hit the beach til early/mid afternoon but then it's pure planning stuff for the rest of the day. This week's theme is famous Canadians. :) I think tomorrow I'll do a lesson on theinteractive whiteboard, introducing Ray and showing some videos of him.
OK, gotta get this party started! Summer is here! It's 6:30AM and SUUUUUUNNNNNNYYYYY!!!!!!! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Krazy Kinders in Kanada
That's a pretty neat title isn't it?
I had one HECK of a week of prac! It went by SO fast and I had a blast with the kids. Lots of planning and lots of work but I made it to the weekend and have a chance to catch my breath. I'm planning ahead big time for this upcoming week. Most of the planning I do is centred around my own themed unit. We're doing a unit on Canada. So basically, during these 5 weeks, we'll be learning all about Canada and doing a ton pof activities related to that topic (as well as a Sea Creature theme ran by my supervising teachers). Last week I did the intro where I gave them airplane tickets and we boarded our plane and flew to Canada (watched a couple of videos on Canada, and discussed the whole idea of our Canadian Travels.) Then I gave them a "My Canada Scrapbook" which we will fill up throughout the unit with activities they do. So far we've listed some animals and drawn our favourite, and wrote the title "Winnie the Pooh" and drew him. THIS WEEK IS GONNA BE AWESOME!!!!!!!!
My them for this week is the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. I've planned 7 lessons that we'll do throughout the week and it's going to be SO MUCH FUN!
Lesson 1:
intro, so them the website on the interactive whiteboard (awesome technology) and then have a mock opening ceremony where they will "march" back to class, each representing a country as if they were walking into the stadium! Hahahaha, that's gonna be AWESOME!
Lesson2:
entry in scrapbook "Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics", draw rings and design their own mascot. We will have looked at the mascots in the lesson 1, which is on the same day.
Lesson 3:
hockey! All about it, at the olympics, watch a couple short videos and then they can play it on the computer, found a free online game.
Lesson 4:
Paralympics. Explore the sports of the paralympics and discuss different types of disabilities etc.
Maybe go outside and have them blindfolded and leading each other.
Lesson 5: Bobsleigh. Watch a couple vids from cool runnings (funny), discuss and then have them line up as if they were in a bobsled and show a virtual ride video I found on youtube. should be funny.
Lesson 6:
Speed skating, skiing, snowboarding.
Not completely finished yet, but they have a famous Aussie athlete who won gold in 2002 (total fluke but whatever) so I'll show that youtube video.
Lesson 7:
Discuss medals and placing and such. Crative arts activity where they design and create their own medal. gonna get some white ribbon and make a little cardboard medal that they can decorate. THEN I will have a mock podium set up and I'll have them stand on the number one spot, wear a laurel wreath and i'll take their photo. Medals will go on the "Canada wall" and photos will be developed and they can pasted them in their books on Monday. How funny will that be?!?!?!
Anyways, so that's my week of Canada stuff. On top of that I need to plan a series of lessons/activities with the letters CEO (I chose that group because "Hockey" Vancouver" "Olympics") and a group of words and such. SHOULD BE SOOOOOO MUCH FUUUUUUN!!! And maths is on Mass. I made a work sheet already for one station. They'll be estimating what's heavier by hefting. I'm using my IMC medal, canada pencil, canada patch, glue stick, calculator and stapeler. gotta do a few more of those for the week. I also got my hands on a copy of that popular Canadian book "The Hockey Sweater"... remember that one? Really old, the one about the kid who's a Canadiens fan but his jersey is all ratty so he gets a new one as a gift but it's a Leafs one... yadda yadda yadda... that should be good. haha
Week 4 we're going to the Sydney aquarium! Wednesday the 11th of November. That'll be a blast!
This weekend i did 3 hours of cycling Sat and Sun! Woo WOOOOOOO!!! The legs are WRECKED! But I feel goooooood!
All this planning is so that I'm not doing it every day after school. I want to get as much done and organized during the week so the weekdays I can get to bed early, and up early to train! This week and next are two important weeks for IM training. 6 weeks left!
Jubes is workin' her little bee-hind off of course. Napping as we speak before she goes in to work at the buffet.
Gotta go to Bunnings now to looks for some resources. :)
I had one HECK of a week of prac! It went by SO fast and I had a blast with the kids. Lots of planning and lots of work but I made it to the weekend and have a chance to catch my breath. I'm planning ahead big time for this upcoming week. Most of the planning I do is centred around my own themed unit. We're doing a unit on Canada. So basically, during these 5 weeks, we'll be learning all about Canada and doing a ton pof activities related to that topic (as well as a Sea Creature theme ran by my supervising teachers). Last week I did the intro where I gave them airplane tickets and we boarded our plane and flew to Canada (watched a couple of videos on Canada, and discussed the whole idea of our Canadian Travels.) Then I gave them a "My Canada Scrapbook" which we will fill up throughout the unit with activities they do. So far we've listed some animals and drawn our favourite, and wrote the title "Winnie the Pooh" and drew him. THIS WEEK IS GONNA BE AWESOME!!!!!!!!
My them for this week is the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics. I've planned 7 lessons that we'll do throughout the week and it's going to be SO MUCH FUN!
Lesson 1:
intro, so them the website on the interactive whiteboard (awesome technology) and then have a mock opening ceremony where they will "march" back to class, each representing a country as if they were walking into the stadium! Hahahaha, that's gonna be AWESOME!
Lesson2:
entry in scrapbook "Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics", draw rings and design their own mascot. We will have looked at the mascots in the lesson 1, which is on the same day.
Lesson 3:
hockey! All about it, at the olympics, watch a couple short videos and then they can play it on the computer, found a free online game.
Lesson 4:
Paralympics. Explore the sports of the paralympics and discuss different types of disabilities etc.
Maybe go outside and have them blindfolded and leading each other.
Lesson 5: Bobsleigh. Watch a couple vids from cool runnings (funny), discuss and then have them line up as if they were in a bobsled and show a virtual ride video I found on youtube. should be funny.
Lesson 6:
Speed skating, skiing, snowboarding.
Not completely finished yet, but they have a famous Aussie athlete who won gold in 2002 (total fluke but whatever) so I'll show that youtube video.
Lesson 7:
Discuss medals and placing and such. Crative arts activity where they design and create their own medal. gonna get some white ribbon and make a little cardboard medal that they can decorate. THEN I will have a mock podium set up and I'll have them stand on the number one spot, wear a laurel wreath and i'll take their photo. Medals will go on the "Canada wall" and photos will be developed and they can pasted them in their books on Monday. How funny will that be?!?!?!
Anyways, so that's my week of Canada stuff. On top of that I need to plan a series of lessons/activities with the letters CEO (I chose that group because "Hockey" Vancouver" "Olympics") and a group of words and such. SHOULD BE SOOOOOO MUCH FUUUUUUN!!! And maths is on Mass. I made a work sheet already for one station. They'll be estimating what's heavier by hefting. I'm using my IMC medal, canada pencil, canada patch, glue stick, calculator and stapeler. gotta do a few more of those for the week. I also got my hands on a copy of that popular Canadian book "The Hockey Sweater"... remember that one? Really old, the one about the kid who's a Canadiens fan but his jersey is all ratty so he gets a new one as a gift but it's a Leafs one... yadda yadda yadda... that should be good. haha
Week 4 we're going to the Sydney aquarium! Wednesday the 11th of November. That'll be a blast!
This weekend i did 3 hours of cycling Sat and Sun! Woo WOOOOOOO!!! The legs are WRECKED! But I feel goooooood!
All this planning is so that I'm not doing it every day after school. I want to get as much done and organized during the week so the weekdays I can get to bed early, and up early to train! This week and next are two important weeks for IM training. 6 weeks left!
Jubes is workin' her little bee-hind off of course. Napping as we speak before she goes in to work at the buffet.
Gotta go to Bunnings now to looks for some resources. :)
Monday, October 19, 2009
Shortest yet i bet
Yesterday was utter chaos! First day of prac. So much going on my head is still spinning this morning!
Today, day 2, I'm teaching 3 x 45 minute lessons. 2 of my Canada unit and one maths one. I spent the better part of 6 hours yesterday AFTER school preparing, as well as this morning (with some help from the Tuna).
We'll see how she goes!
Today, day 2, I'm teaching 3 x 45 minute lessons. 2 of my Canada unit and one maths one. I spent the better part of 6 hours yesterday AFTER school preparing, as well as this morning (with some help from the Tuna).
We'll see how she goes!
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