Week 2

This week in Barcelona was pretty good. I am getting used to the way of the classroom more, and I am better at finding my way around school! That was definitely a success. In the class I am still doing some busy work, which is fine, but I am more involved with the students now. I take them out in the hall and review for their big science exam. I have even taught a few lessons. The science lesson did not go so well, because they don't tell you that you are teaching until you walk in the door for that class. But the English lessons I have taught went well. The students were eager to participate for me, once they calmed down enough and realized it was time to learn. The class is definitely much calmer this week. They are getting used to me and I am getting used to them.

Everything here in Spain is so laid back. The teachers don't plan ahead as much as we do. There are lesson plans, but it's more of an outline that you will get to in the near future. The kids can be really smart. They know the vocabulary, but I don't see when they learn it. Since I have been in the class, only one new lesson has been taught in science, and two new lessons in English. Most days the students don't even have English because they use that time to review for the science exam. I would like to see what it is like when they aren't preparing for an exam to get a better sense of how the students learn.

This week was Thanksgiving. The school sent a prayer to the teachers to say for thanks giving. They also served turkey for lunch, which was a big deal since they don't eat a lot of turkey. When talking with the teaches I could tell that they would have preferred a different type of meat, but they knew this was a custom that we celebrate. The students made us a sign that said Happy Thanksgiving. It was so nice! Everyone is very friendly, even if they don't speak English.

I am having a great time here in Barcelona! The weather is nice. I don't really wear a coat anymore because I would get too hot walking around. At night we mostly go back to our room. Jane and I tried walking around our home stay to see what was around, but there isn't much around us. Mainly restaurants. On Thursday night was a special night of shopping, similar to Black Friday. We went out, but it was too crowded that some we getting claustrophobic and we couldn't arfford any of the stores anyway. But it was really fun to go see all the people out! The lights are also beautiful. The lights have been up since we arrived, but they weren't turned on until Thanksgiving. They are so pretty all lit up at night. There are chandeliers, snowflakes, and other shapes that light up the streets at night. This city is so beautiful! I can't wait for more!