November?!

New Zealand Time – November 6, 10:20pm

Also known as Movember. I am participating in this month-long cause. I’ll be sure to snap some pictures towards the end of the month.

How time does fly though, October vanished as quickly as it arrived. I spent the entire month on my last placement of the year – four weeks with a year 5/6 class. I had an amazing time, thoroughly enjoying the school, staff, and of course, the students.

An interesting scenario though: as a result of renovations at the school, my class (size 32) was moved into the library with another year 5/6 class (size 30). So in reality, my classroom had 62 students in it. Of course, this was combined with the fact that we were still in the library … and other classrooms would wander into this space to explore the wonderful world of books. It was certainly a very unique scenario, but one I was glad to be a part of. I did teach both classes for some lessons/areas, and my own for the rest. I did have to remember all those names though, and while it took me a bit longer I had them all done by the beginning of my second week.

Working with two classes, I also had the advantage of working with two teachers. My assigned teacher, and the teacher of the class sharing the space. As a result, we organized a lot of cooperative lessons, and really enjoyed ourselves. Cooperative teaching certainly requires you to have some sort of rapport. Nonetheless, I feel extremely fortunate to have worked with the two individuals I did. Lots of work, but lots of laughs. Humour in the classroom is a wonderful thing! Plus, they were both male, so I got to see a whole new perspective on primary teaching compared to my earlier placement.

Now, I find myself back at college, with four weeks to go before my course is complete. A busy few weeks ahead, with some work still to be done. I’m giving a riveting 30 minute seminar later this week on the social influence of drugs and alcohol in the primary classroom. It will surely be a memorable half hour.

I am planning various enjoyable activities here in NZ before I head home however. In no particular order, the following are already on, or potentially on, my November/December agenda:

• camping
• hunting (perhaps something larger than a possum this time … ?)
• camping and hunting combined!
• a big trip, or a few smaller trips, up around the North Island
• a LAN party (people getting together and playing video games on their computers … still a nerd, don’t worry)
• a lot of enjoyment outdoors … especially as the weather improves

Otherwise, despite by love for much of what my current country of residence can offer, I am looking forward to the return home. If I think about it, I find it hard to believe I’ve been here for almost a year. I will miss some of my friends here dearly, but all the more reason to come back. I’ve been attempting to watch various video footage of Lucy that Amy ‘n’ Rick have tossed online. Attempting, due to the brilliance of broadband here that I’ve probably mentioned more than enough on here. I must say, I can’t believe how much that niece of mine has grown. I’m about halfway through the Halloween video so far, and I must say it is absolutely adorable.

Anyways, I should get on to a bit more work before I hit the hay this evening. Hopefully everyone is well.

Oh, and an added photographic treat. I took the picture attached, and glued it onto the front of a card I gave my teacher at the end of my last placement. It was enjoyed, and now you may enjoy it too.