Day 16: Finally teaching and enjoying every second of it!

Hey!

More news from the Leicester bunch! And this time it's really good news.

This was our first day teaching at Groby and it was absolutely fabulous! I enjoyed every second of teaching at Groby.



I have taught ICT with Timmy the first two hours, for which I was the most nervous because I actually don't teach ICT in Belgium. But the "real" teacher said she really couldn't see that Timmy and I don't teach actually teach ICT so this was really great! I enjoyed it although the class was sometimes a little bit hectic because of the mixed abilities. But I think that Timmy and I managed well for the first lesson.

The next two hours I've taught History together with Timmy, Evi and Lindsay which was really fun to do. We taught them in little groups and it was really good to get to know the pupils. Some groups were really funny and nice to teach.

I really feel at my place at Groby although I sometimes still don't agree with everything (for example class managment) but I think it will work out just fine...



After school we went shopping and then there was ... Molly =D With a great dinner as usual! She really knows how to cook!!!

Now we're all very tired but still trying to work a little bit for school. Tanja and I still have to finish our lesson for History ... which will luckely be our first and also last experience with the Hinduism... I'm not a big fan of it actually... Now I understand why I don't teach Religion! And then of course tomorrow is the big day with the dancing. Luckely the guy who teaches dance is as crazy as he is nice so it will be ok =D

Now I'm off to some more work... Religion :( But Dance I do LOVE LOVE LOVE !!!!!



Love,

Anneke

P.S.: Stef: Nog maar één volledig dagje!!! 'Mai kijk er zoooooooooooooooooooooooooo hard naar uit!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love you !!!!!

Day 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15

Hey Everyone!

Another message from me ... still live from Leicester of course! It has been a while but then I've got loads to tell you!

Wednesday 18 - 02 - 2009: Day 11

Natalia and I haven't done a lot of cultural activities that day because we really felt the breath of mister Cruysweegs and mister Smet in our necks. That's why we were working on our endwork all day long. The rest of our leicester group went to explore Leicester a little bit more.
In the evening we started devising our dance for the dance lessons. We're devising a dance for the song "Break the Ice" from Britney Spears.


Thursday 19 - 02 - 2009: Day 12

Still not much news from the Leicester Front. We all stayed in to work on our observations, endwork,... In the evening we went to the local pub which was really nice, telling each other our "painful moments". We really laught so much!

Friday 20 - 02 - 2009: Day 13

Nottingham time! This was a really nice visit. Although I expected Nottingham to be a little bit smaller it still was a nice city. We went to see the castle of Nottingham, which was really fun.

In the afternoon we went to a museum called "crime and punishment" and it was really really scary! It was with real actors and everything was put into scene. First of all we were put into a courtroom and the ones with a hood and the ones wearing green were the suspects. A judge took care of them. I first was an innocent person but then the judge noticed that I was also wearing a hood... Oops :D
Evi was being accused of being a witch and a prostitute. The judge asked how she was planning to solve this crime. Evi answered "I can give you some personal pleasure!"
We were then taken to the prisons and a real guard was standing there. Only we hadn't seen him and when he "came to live" everyone was screaming. Luckely this guard looked very nice and when he was saying "You do as I say"... Tanja replied to me quietly: "That's kind of kinky". I really started to laugh so hard, so the guard asked "what so funny". When the rest of us had asked "has it something to do with this boy?", they also started to laugh so we had a whole Belgian group laughing and laughing...
Luckely the trip went on so we were taking into a cell, into a chamber where the medical control was done, were the laundry was done by some female prisoners,... It was all very good and very interactive!

In the evening we were all so tired that we didn't want to go out anymore. So we stayed in and watched a Pirates movie...

Saturday 21-02-2009: Day 14

Today we all stayed in and worked on our lessons. I devised a part for History and Timmy and I were working on the ICT lesson. In the late afternoon we awarded ourselves a visit to... BORDERS! This is a HUGE bookstore which is both heaven and hell for me. I only bought two books but I'm planning to buy the whole serie of Louise Rennison because you can't get these books in Belgium in English. And they are so funny... If you don't like these books... You don't have any humour... (Or at least that's what I think! =D)

In the evening we were all so busy with our work / books... So we didn't went out...

Sunday 22 - 02 - 2009: Day 15

Again a working day. I don't have a lot to say about it... Working on History, ICT, Travel and Tourism and Religion. I finally managed to do most of the job, so I hope I can have quite a good week of teaching practice.

Right now, I'm kind of nervous because I really don't know if my teaching style will fit Groby... But one thing is for sure... Tomorrow I can tell you everything about teaching at Groby!

Sweet dreams,

Anneke

P.S.: Stef: Only two full days and you're here !!!!! Ik mis je !!!! 'k hou van je !!!!

Day 9 and 10

Hey everyone...

Today I'd like to say something first in honour of Kristof, with whom I've been to camp for many years. He died this Sunday, on the 15th of February. Since I stopped going to that camp, I hadn't any contact with him nor with lots of other people from that camp but that doesn't mean that I'm not shocked by his death. Kristof was a really nice guy, who was always laughing. He really was and still is an inspiration because even though his handicap he could still see the joy of life. Even though he's gone, I know that he's not forgotten and that he's now one of the brightest stars in heaven.

After this is said, I still have to tell you guys about everything that I've done the past two days. Yesterday we went to Stratford upon Avon, which is a nice little town. I really felt happy to see the birthplace of William Shakespeare. We also went into a museum about Witchcraft and Wizardry which was next to the birthhouse of William Shakespeare. Timmy, Natalia and I went in there and I really enjoyed it. Especially because there was an Harry Potter room in it! Natalia was really funny though. She was really scared because it was so dark in here. By being scared she behaved also really cute.

We also went to see the grave of William Shakespeare. I was quite disappointed because I had imagined something huge, and all there was was a stone. But I really wanted to come and have a look because after all he was one of the most gifted poets and playwriters.

In the evening Sophie and her parents came eating and we really had a delicious meal and a great laugh.

Today we went to see Warwick Castle which was brilliant. I really liked the castle with the puppets and the interactive things you could do. It was kind of funny because we had to climb really high because we had to go to the top tower. And Evi, Tanja and I walked together... It was like one afraid of falling, one with claustrofobia and one afraid of heights in one small group. But the view was all worth it! We also saw a fireball being shot which was really great.

Tonight will be a more silent night because everyone is really tired.

Love,

Anneke

P.S.: Stef! Ik tel af totdat je hier bent!!!!

Day 7 and 8

Hey Everyone!


Get ready for some new adventure from the Leicester bunch! Yesterday was a really hectic day and we weren't a lot at home so that's why I'm writing this blog now.

In the morning Molly and Dave returned home and they really seem very nice people. We've made our own cereal and afterwards we got ready to go to Leicester city to do some shopping! We started shopping with the six of us but later on we diveded in three little groups. I went shopping with Tanja which was really nice! I've bought some DVD's and two tank tops. After a while Tanja and I decided that shopping in England is really dangerous for our money.

After shopping we went to eat some Chinese food which was really good. On the way home, most of us were in the mood to go dancing somewhere, so after a while we decided to go to a club.

We went to the "Return" which is also in Leicester city. It was a kind of weird club with a lot of Pakistan / Indian people. But the music was quite ok... Pitty the DJ talked a lot, which was really working on my nerves.

After we danced all the frustrations of last week off, we went home...

Today there isn't going to happen a lot. We've eaten some great breakfast, prepared by Molly and this evening Molly will prepare a meal again, and her children are coming over.


I think I will try and work on my endwork a bit...

Love,

Anneke


P.S.: Stefje: Happy Valentine's day!

Day 6: Finally everything is clear!

Hey everyone!

Everything was really starting to clear up today because we finally know what we're suppost to do over here.

In the morning we've had a meeting with Viv, who told us that the staff wasn't so pleased with us because we were really passive in their lessons. But we actually really didn't know that we're supposed to move during observations. Now that we know everything went really better. I had to observe with Lindsay History and Dance which was actually quite nice.

Dance was really an eye-opener. These kids are so good! I have joined in and I was really really really glad that I could dance again!!!! And Natalia, Tanja and I can teach dance, so I'm really happy with that. So Mum and Dad if you're reading this: I'm going to do hip hop next year =D!!!!

We also had to devise our own timetable. Which was kind of chaotic because we had to sort things out with so many teachers. I 'm going to teach these subjects: ICT, History, English, Dance, Media Studies, Religion, Physics (ok start laughing :D My favourite teacher over here has talked me into this... I haven't got a clue what he's going to teach but I'm there to assist... And I really want to... Except I don't want to look as a morron who doesn't know anything about Physics!), Film Studies, Citizenship (which I don't know for sure because my timetable is really too full), PSCHE (also with my favourite teacher =D) and Travel and Tourism which is a kind of mini project about Belgium which I really want to do, except for the fact that perhaps I'm taking too much...

But nevertheless, I have something to do again and I'm really happy with that. I can also manage my own tutor group from now on, which is also quite nice because I really didn't like just sitting there doing nothing.

So this was it for today I guess... No I'm off to the shower and to a movie!

Love you all,

Anneke

P.S.: Stefje nog maar 12 nachtjes!

Day 4 and 5: Lost in the pub...

Hey everyone...

Day 3 and 4 in Leicester... These days we've been observing some quite ... interesting... lessons... (Me being sarcastic!) Some were actually really interesting but some were... Let's say not so pupil-centred...
But Lindsay and I have met a really nice teacher... He's really concerned about the pupils and I really like the way he treats his pupils.

We're also suppost to put our timetable together for the next few weeks which is kind of chaotic because we have no idea which subject is given when and so on... But I'm going to teach some nice subjects like English literature, Media studies, Filmstudies, ICT, History, Dance,... And I'm really looking forward to finally teaching!!!!

Today we also went to two pubs in the neighbourhoud. Who were both really nice =) We also went eating in one of the pubs, which I call Stefjes place because he's going to stay there =). The food in that pub was really nice and very cheap =)

Now I'm off to bed =) See you tomorrow!

Love,

Anneke

P.S.: I love Stef ! Kmis u =(

Day 3 in Leicester => "Isn't the white house in America? ....... Oooooooh it's the White horse"

Hey everybody,

Ok, Day three in Leicester! We had to observe for the whole day and lessons were quite weird... Some teacher (read: One!) was really brilliant... It was a Chemestry teacher and she actually managed to let me understand some really difficult things, which I didn't understand in my own secondary school.

The rest of the teachers were ok but they mostly taught in a very traditional way. The pupils did actually nothing in their lessons... They really know how to mislead their teachers because they had absolutely no idea that they weren't working...

Every subject is given in a very different way than our Belgian way... They do much more with the computer and ICT is integrated in almost every lesson.

Everyone at school is very nice and helpful!

After observering the lessons we were "set free" and off we went to SHOPPING!!!!! I bought an awful lot of new stuff ... The most beautiful experience is that there is a Disney store in Leicester! And there is a HUGE bookstore which Tanja and I almost raided!

Now we're back at home, cutting our socket... Which apperently isn't big enough... Fun insured!

But now I've got to go! We're having some kind of movie night... If we can all stay awake =D


Love,

Anneke

P.S.: Ik mis mijn Stefje echt veel te hard !

Day 2: Natalia is an accident-pro !!! =D

Hey everyone!



This was our second day of our life time experience ! We went to visit our new teaching practising school and it really was a new experience, which we all have to get used to...

The pupils can call the teachers by their first name, they can get up to get something,... The subjects are also very different and taught in a very different way. The pupils have to make a lot of portfolios and stuff... I know now where our Didactic Mum got her creative stuff... Or the other way round...



When we arrived at the school we were all paired up and Lindsay and I are "stuck" with each other for the next week... We first had to observe Textile and it was really a nice lesson in which we learnt a lot! The pupils had to work around one theme, namely the Orient... And they had to create a Kimono, which they did greatly! They all worked so well and the teacher had not to worry about classroom management.



The next lesson we had to observe was History which was quite boring because the teacher only showed a movie... But we have to observe another lesson on Friday which will be something totally different...



Except for the new school, we also had some fun moments... Namely our Natalia who is a really accident-pro! I don't know how she did it but she managed to throw the candles into the toilet =D



But I have to admit I'm getting quite a pro myself... Mostly by saying that it's quite strange that the driver is able to put his feets onto the dashboard while driving... I only forgot that the driver is sitting on the right side of the car and not on the left side... Well... Those things can happen =D



Dinner was also great... Evi turned out to be a really great cook!



But now I've got to go...



Until later with more news from the snowy Leicester!



Love,



Anneke



P.S.: Kmis mijn lief Stefje!!!!

Live from Leicester... "Oh are that the white cliffs of Dover... they do seem rather small, don't they?"

Hey Everyone!

This is me... Live from England...

We had a good journey! We all started very early around 6 o'clock in the morning and then we had to face my most difficult task of the whole journey, saying goodbye to my boyfriend Stef and my parents.

The way to Calais was quite funny. We saw that there was a way to the ferry nearby Calais so we thought, well that will be our ferry... We gave our papers confidentially to the customs office and the guy simply said... Well this is the wrong ferry you have to go to Calais which was about 25 kilometers still ahead.

The man at the customs office of Calais had a clear vision of the facts though when he said that there were six girls in the car... Sorry Timmy, only joking ;-)

Then we got on the boat, which was really nice! During our boat trip we also saw the white cliffs of Dover, where Tanja gave the very first impression of England... The white cliffs of dover do seem rather small, don't they? She said this while we still far far far away from these cliffs :D!

Then it was my turn to take over the wheel and drive for the very first time in my life on the left side of the road... Which ended up quite ok... The car isn't crashed and we haven't crashed against another car so there is still hope for me :D

After a while Natalia took over and suddenly everyone started to feel a little bit sick... We still don't know if it was the driving or the burger king...

After arriving at Molly and Dave's house, I had a huge "WAUW" effect... They have a really beautiful house and her children were really nice to us. They had prepared dinner for us which was really great :)

Now I still have to unpack some things and then we're about to go to bed!

Pictures of our room and house will come soon!

Until then,

Love,

Anneke

P.S.: Stef... I really really really love you !!! =D

We have a big bus...

Hey everyone!

Today was really fun! Natalia, Tanja and I went to test the "bus" and it was so funny! We were laughing like all the time, but in the end we all agreed that we were getting really good, so the problem "driving the big bus" is no more...

Since I've seen our bus, I decided that I could allow myself one bigger suitcase instead of a small one... So I can bring lots and lots of books back home =D

Tomorrow is our last day at home and then Sunday at 6 o'clock we "take off" to a new adventure!

More news, live from Leicester,

Love,

Anneke

Exams are over... Leicester is coming closer!

Hey!

We're almost going to Leicester! It has always looked so far away but now it's coming closer! I'm really looking forward to it, although I'm going to miss Stef, my parents and my friends...

Next week will be so busy as Natalia and I will try to finish our endwork project and we certainly need to be packing... By the way: I have no idea how I'm going to get everything in one (ok ok... two... or perhaps a little three...) suitcases...

Well, at least I've got one week to figure this out!

See you all later!

Love,

Anneke