Hola mi amigos:) Today wasn't a very busy day for us, as we don't have school on Wednesdays. I took today to myself to finish a college assignment in the morning, and I also visited Madrid again and had a little exploration of my very own. Madrid is such a pretty city to get lost in by yourself. Well, not lost in, but you know what I mean. It was really nice to be on my own and get to see and do whatever I wanted. It's impossible to get lost anywhere these days with google maps, and I've got just enough Spanish to get to where I need to go if I ever did really get lost. I'm starting to pick it up really quickly while I'm here, and my Spanish accent isn't half bad either, I'll have you know. I'm also pretty confident in my ability to navigate the bus/metro system in Moncloa and Sol by now. On the first day it was crazy complicated, and if it wasn't for Colin I'm certain I'd still be stuck in there now.
Shop workers in Madrid can be pretty intimidating because not many of them speak English (which surprised me a little to be honest, but how and ever). I went into a sock shop and all the workers there spoke English and helped me pick some funky socks out for my friends. They were so so nice and it made me feel a lot better about being in a place where I've been finding it somewhat difficult to communicate with the locals.
Not much else to document on today, tomorrow we're back in school with the kids which I'm excited about. I really enjoy being there with the kids, it makes me feel like I have a purpose while I'm here. I was super homesick on the first day but I've been getting better day by day.
Til tomorrow chicos y chicas,
Ciara
Wednesday, 12 February 2020
Time to ourselves - Day 4
Today we were not in with the students so we spent our time separately. One of us went to Madrid for the day and the other tried to do some leftover college work.
We are still only observing the classes so we do not need to have our plans for when we get back tomorrow.
I went out for a walk around the town and ran into two of the students from year 8. We exchanged hellos and I said we'd be back in with them tomorrow.
While I was walking around the town I finally began to take it all in.
Until the next installment.
- Reece
Below is a picture I took while walking in Alpedrete.
We are still only observing the classes so we do not need to have our plans for when we get back tomorrow.
I went out for a walk around the town and ran into two of the students from year 8. We exchanged hellos and I said we'd be back in with them tomorrow.
While I was walking around the town I finally began to take it all in.
Until the next installment.
- Reece
Below is a picture I took while walking in Alpedrete.
Tuesday, 11 February 2020
The Storytellers - day 3
Today was our third day in Alpedrete and our first proper day in the school. Everyone in the school calls us The Storytellers which I think is so very cute. We started at 9 this morning with Andrew, one of the English teachers, and his year 8 English class. The kids have already been writing their own stories based on 'A Poison Tree', a poem by William Blake. The kids' stories are generally good but they do need some work, however they are impressive as English is not their first language. We read their stories and gave them feedback one on one sitting outside on big steps in the courtyard outside their classroom. It was nice to sit out with them and get to talk to them individually and ask them in depth questions about their stories. We also observed Felicity's year 7 English class. They were doing an assessment so we didn't get to do much with them, but it was one of the boys' birthdays and he brought in some cake and gave us some which was nice.
We made up a lesson plan for when we start reading the arrival with them next week. We're going to focus on the images in the book and use them as a basis for the kids to develop their own complex characters - and particularly the year 8s - look into metaphors within the story, as they are doing with Andrew and 'A Poison Tree'.
We also met Clive, who is head of English at the school. He's going to be my supervisor for my work experience which I started today. I just hope I can make up 60 hours while I'm here, as I've only got 5 done so far.
After school Reece and I went to Madrid with Colin again. We split up when we got there and went on our own little trip around the city. On Saturday we plan to go in with the girls and do some more exploring.
Until tomorrow,,,
Storyteller Ciara
We made up a lesson plan for when we start reading the arrival with them next week. We're going to focus on the images in the book and use them as a basis for the kids to develop their own complex characters - and particularly the year 8s - look into metaphors within the story, as they are doing with Andrew and 'A Poison Tree'.
We also met Clive, who is head of English at the school. He's going to be my supervisor for my work experience which I started today. I just hope I can make up 60 hours while I'm here, as I've only got 5 done so far.
After school Reece and I went to Madrid with Colin again. We split up when we got there and went on our own little trip around the city. On Saturday we plan to go in with the girls and do some more exploring.
Until tomorrow,,,
Storyteller Ciara
First day of school - Day 3
We went to the school and introduced ourselves to each group we will be working with.
The year 7's and year 8's are both interesting, the 7's seem to be more interested in writing and take to it more than the others.
The year 7's spent most of their time writing their alien arrival stories
We spent a lot more time with the year 8's, after introducing ourselves we talked to each of the children about their stories and if they like writing. For the most part it was very positive towards writing, there were some who weren't doing as well due to either a lack of interest or perhaps they didn't like what the topic was.
We spent time individually with them and sat outside while discussing their stories.
They have some great ideas but need encouragement and help to develop them, which is what we tried to do.
Until the next installment.
- Reece
The year 7's and year 8's are both interesting, the 7's seem to be more interested in writing and take to it more than the others.
The year 7's spent most of their time writing their alien arrival stories
We spent a lot more time with the year 8's, after introducing ourselves we talked to each of the children about their stories and if they like writing. For the most part it was very positive towards writing, there were some who weren't doing as well due to either a lack of interest or perhaps they didn't like what the topic was.
We spent time individually with them and sat outside while discussing their stories.
They have some great ideas but need encouragement and help to develop them, which is what we tried to do.
Until the next installment.
- Reece
Monday, 10 February 2020
school + madrid - day 2
This morning we went to the school we'll be teaching at for the first time. We were shown around by Andrew, whose class we'll be teaching. The school actually used to be a really big house before it was converted into a school which I think is really cool, because it looks nothing like a school. It's got a much more relaxed feelings to it than schools in Ireland which can feel like prisons at times. Only downside in my opinion is that the school is a little bit like a maze, but it's made up for by the fact that Andrew is really nice and showed us around, and there's also a mini golf course out in the yard??? How cool is that??? Irish schools could never.
After being shown around the school, Reece, Colin and I went into Madrid for the day. On the way in, our bus turned a corner too early and crashed into a street sign and one of the windows smashed, so we had to get off and wait for the next bus. Very exciting journey if you ask me.
Colin gave us a mini tour and explained their metro and bus transport system to us for when we go in again on our own. I've never been to Madrid before, and it was so lovely to see it finally. It's such a beautiful city to walk around and just explore. We got really lucky with the weather too, it was clear skies and about 15/16 degrees while we were there. We didn't do any shopping or anything, but I made a list of places I want to go to when I go back. Here's some pictures of Madrid below:
(technically this photo is a little bit of a cheat because we hadn't left for madrid yet but shhhh)
It was really really nice to just walk around the city and take in all the pretty streets and the architecture. I'm not great with the names of all the streets but I'll try to keep a better record of them when I go back again so I can keep this blog as factual and informative as I can.
It's almost 8pm now, and we're meeting with Colin, Laura, Eloah and Ava for half to go for dinner together which I'm very excited for because I feel like I haven't eaten properly since I got here. Anyway, that's my cue to sign off for tonight. Tomorrow's entry will be about our first proper day at the school and what our plans are for teaching etc.. Until then, hasta luego cocodrilo!
Ciara
After being shown around the school, Reece, Colin and I went into Madrid for the day. On the way in, our bus turned a corner too early and crashed into a street sign and one of the windows smashed, so we had to get off and wait for the next bus. Very exciting journey if you ask me.
Colin gave us a mini tour and explained their metro and bus transport system to us for when we go in again on our own. I've never been to Madrid before, and it was so lovely to see it finally. It's such a beautiful city to walk around and just explore. We got really lucky with the weather too, it was clear skies and about 15/16 degrees while we were there. We didn't do any shopping or anything, but I made a list of places I want to go to when I go back. Here's some pictures of Madrid below:
(technically this photo is a little bit of a cheat because we hadn't left for madrid yet but shhhh)
It was really really nice to just walk around the city and take in all the pretty streets and the architecture. I'm not great with the names of all the streets but I'll try to keep a better record of them when I go back again so I can keep this blog as factual and informative as I can.
It's almost 8pm now, and we're meeting with Colin, Laura, Eloah and Ava for half to go for dinner together which I'm very excited for because I feel like I haven't eaten properly since I got here. Anyway, that's my cue to sign off for tonight. Tomorrow's entry will be about our first proper day at the school and what our plans are for teaching etc.. Until then, hasta luego cocodrilo!
Ciara
Sunday, 9 February 2020
Saludos Desde Alpedrete! - day 1
Hola amigos... Cómo estás? Bien? Bien. It's 7:20pm on our first day here, and it's already been quite a day. Our flight out was at 6:25 so we're still pretty tired from the 4am start to our day, not to mention the lack of sleep on the plane because the turbulence was crazy. It felt like we were still on the ground driving over potholes in a car with no suspension. Still, we defied the odds and made it over in one piece. Here's a picture of me, Reece, Laura and Eloah when we landed in Madrid.
The subway from Nuevos Ministerios to Alpedrete was actually a really nice journey. It did take the better part of an hour but the scenery was enjoyable and Ava, the lady we're renting our rooms from, came to the station to pick us up - which I'm really thankful for because the wheels to my suitcase are broken :))) Our apartment is really nice and my bed is really comfortable so I'm gonna find it hard to leave here in the mornings to go to school.
We're going tomorrow to meet with the students and be introduced to the teachers and be filled in on the run of things there. Reece and I will make lesson plans for the kids based around the graphic novel The Arrival by Shaun Tan. I've never taught any classes before, especially not to Spanish kids so I am kind of nervous to see how it goes but I'm sure we'll be grand. I'm using this teaching opportunity as my work experience as well so I have to keep that in mind when I'm making up plans etc.. to count towards hours.
After school tomorrow we might go into Madrid for a little while. I'd love to see some galleries or museums in the centre, Madrid is a huge culture hub that I can't wait to explore. I'll update you on my adventures tomorrow as they unfold.
Signing off, Senorita Reenan :)
The subway from Nuevos Ministerios to Alpedrete was actually a really nice journey. It did take the better part of an hour but the scenery was enjoyable and Ava, the lady we're renting our rooms from, came to the station to pick us up - which I'm really thankful for because the wheels to my suitcase are broken :))) Our apartment is really nice and my bed is really comfortable so I'm gonna find it hard to leave here in the mornings to go to school.
We're going tomorrow to meet with the students and be introduced to the teachers and be filled in on the run of things there. Reece and I will make lesson plans for the kids based around the graphic novel The Arrival by Shaun Tan. I've never taught any classes before, especially not to Spanish kids so I am kind of nervous to see how it goes but I'm sure we'll be grand. I'm using this teaching opportunity as my work experience as well so I have to keep that in mind when I'm making up plans etc.. to count towards hours.
After school tomorrow we might go into Madrid for a little while. I'd love to see some galleries or museums in the centre, Madrid is a huge culture hub that I can't wait to explore. I'll update you on my adventures tomorrow as they unfold.
Signing off, Senorita Reenan :)
Monday, 3 February 2020
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