Today was my last day at RMSI and I am so sad to leave my students. The girls in my homeroom all made me cards with sweet messages and the school gave me a canvas bag with the words "Descubre el tesoro que llevas dentro" which, according to my host mom, means "Discover the treasure that is inside." The school also gave all the student teachers a portable charger, a RMSI pen, a RMSI sticker, a RMSI button, and a medallion made out of paper and ribbon. My cooperating teacher was very sweet, told me I will be a wonderful teacher, and asked me to keep in touch. The girls asked if I would come visit them soon and it broke my heart telling them I don't know when I will be able to come to Barcelona again.
The most enjoyable activity I did with my homeroom was video chatting with my first student teaching placement class in Kentucky. As an optional homework assignment for the weekend, I asked the girls to come up with questions to ask the American students and an introduction about RMSI. Five girls participated so they were the ones who got to speak to the class the most. I chose five questions and an introduction speech and decided who would say what. The students at both schools answered the questions and had time at the end to ask extra questions. They were very interested in the different ways they get to school (Kentucky students mostly by bus or car and the Barcelona students mostly by walking or public transportation), what they do for fun, the time zone difference, and the difference in lunch times (an hour and 15 minutes in Barcelona and 25 minutes in Kentucky). It was very entertaining to see the two classes communicate with one another and it was the perfect way to connect the beginning of my student teaching to the end.
The schools in Kentucky and RMSI have a lot in common, but they also have quite a few differences. RMSI, overall, needs improvement in classroom management because the students (especially the all-boy classes) are often disrespectful and too much of the class time is devoted to telling them to stop talking, to sit down, etc. However, schools in the US could learn a great deal from RMSI. At RMSI, the students are given more free time to be energetic, socialize, and just be kids. The teachers and students are more affectionate. For example, I have seen teachers kiss primary students on the cheeks. This would never happen in the US, but it is simply a difference in culture. Neither way is wrong. However, they are much more open about their emotions, which is something the US can improve upon. Almost all of my notes from the girls said "I love you", which is not heard from American students as often. The culture in Barcelona is more loving and open and this is reflected in the relationships between the teachers and the students.
This love is also exhibited by my host family. The children and parents really value time with one another. For example, they always sit down to dinner together and talk about their days. Although my actual family at home does this, it is not a common occurrence in the US. They celebrate one another. I have helped the youngest boy study a couple of times. He told me and his family that he answered several questions correctly in science class last week after we had studied the material. His teachers and family were so proud because he is normally quiet in class. The family has been so welcoming to me, sharing their delicious food, picking my friends and I up from the airport when we came back late at night from a weekend in Paris, giving me advice about Barcelona, and helping me with my Spanish.
This time last year, I did not want to do International Student Teaching. I thought it would be too stressful and was worried I would be too overwhelmed with teaching to truly experience the culture and what the country had to offer. After speaking to previous International Student Teachers and reading blogs on WKU's website, I changed my mind. I am so glad I gave it a chance and I recommend it to anyone who is interested. I believe student teaching was one of the best ways to experience the culture firsthand and I would do it over again if I could.
I took pictures with my class with the red towel but they have to be approved by the school before I can post them online. Once they are approved, I will post them on my blog. Adios! It's been a pleasure!
Wednesday, May 8, 2019
Thursday, May 2, 2019
Comments on the School
After being at RMSI for almost 2 weeks now, the students and I have started to develop stronger relationships. It saddens me to think I will leave them in less than a week. They definitely have a special place in my heart now and it will be strange to revert back to being called "Ms. Taylor" instead of "Ms. Julia" when I get back to the US. One girl asked me if I would be there forever and looked heartbroken when I told her next Wednesday was my last day.
As far as involvement goes, I have taught less here than I did in my first student teaching placement. Most of what I do is assisting the teacher and answering questions the girls have while they are completing assignments. Just like the US, I have to remind them to raise their hand instead of getting out of their desk and walking over to me. I especially noticed how difficult it could be to manage the talking of the class when my teacher was not there on Monday and Tuesday of this week. The substitutes were different for every class period because they were whomever the available teachers were in the building. The substitutes were all very helpful and I am sure a lot of the talking was due to the fact that their regular teacher was not present.
The off-task talking seems more difficult to manage than the US, maybe because it is a class of all girls, the culture of the school, and/or the more fluid discipline system. In the US, when a student misbehaves, they typically get a specific consequence. Here, there does not seem to be a write-up form or anything of that nature. The most common punishment I have seen in the class is the girls having to separate their desks if they do not stop talking. However, learning still occurs. When the girls are engaged, they are eager to answer and ask questions. When they ask questions, they typically say (with their adorable Spanish accent), "Ms. Julia, one thing...", which I will never get tired of hearing. They are engaged most of the time and they seem very motivated to learn. Whenever I correct them, they do not shut down or think badly of themselves. They are happy to understand and want to improve.
Every day, I am blown away by how intelligent these students are. They speak, read, and write in three languages every day. Apparently, when they get to sixth grade they get to choose between learning German or French. They know words that I don't expect for their age. It is fun to teach them new words in English and they get so excited when they make the connection. Most of them are involved in sports or other extracurricular activities. The students and the city continue to surprise and impress me.
Since I did not take any pictures at school this week, I posted some pictures of food I have had here, in tribute to the delicious school lunches and surrounding restaurants/bakeries.
As far as involvement goes, I have taught less here than I did in my first student teaching placement. Most of what I do is assisting the teacher and answering questions the girls have while they are completing assignments. Just like the US, I have to remind them to raise their hand instead of getting out of their desk and walking over to me. I especially noticed how difficult it could be to manage the talking of the class when my teacher was not there on Monday and Tuesday of this week. The substitutes were different for every class period because they were whomever the available teachers were in the building. The substitutes were all very helpful and I am sure a lot of the talking was due to the fact that their regular teacher was not present.
The off-task talking seems more difficult to manage than the US, maybe because it is a class of all girls, the culture of the school, and/or the more fluid discipline system. In the US, when a student misbehaves, they typically get a specific consequence. Here, there does not seem to be a write-up form or anything of that nature. The most common punishment I have seen in the class is the girls having to separate their desks if they do not stop talking. However, learning still occurs. When the girls are engaged, they are eager to answer and ask questions. When they ask questions, they typically say (with their adorable Spanish accent), "Ms. Julia, one thing...", which I will never get tired of hearing. They are engaged most of the time and they seem very motivated to learn. Whenever I correct them, they do not shut down or think badly of themselves. They are happy to understand and want to improve.
Every day, I am blown away by how intelligent these students are. They speak, read, and write in three languages every day. Apparently, when they get to sixth grade they get to choose between learning German or French. They know words that I don't expect for their age. It is fun to teach them new words in English and they get so excited when they make the connection. Most of them are involved in sports or other extracurricular activities. The students and the city continue to surprise and impress me.
Since I did not take any pictures at school this week, I posted some pictures of food I have had here, in tribute to the delicious school lunches and surrounding restaurants/bakeries.
Saturday, April 27, 2019
First Week Impressions
Before I came, I did not know anything about the school or what to expect. It has over 1,000 students preschool through high school. They are all learning three languages: Spanish, Catalan, and English. What language they speak, write, and read depends on which teacher they are with during that class. Even though I know a little bit of Spanish, the teachers want us to speak in English with the students so they can have practice with native speakers. My students are so sweet and lively. I have two different third grade girl classes for English, Natural Science, and Social Science. We also have a fourth grade boy class and a fifth grade girl class for Art.
The most notable differences between the US schools I have seen and RMSI (the name of the school here) are the management and schedule. The students have more freedom in various ways. They do not have to walk in a straight line, silently down the hallway. They can chat with their friends and just are expected to follow. Running in the hallway is also allowed. The students are also given more freedom to touch and play with their same gender classmates; hugging each other and doing cartwheels during recess. I prefer this way because they are letting the children get their energy out and just be kids.
Another major difference is the schedule for the school day. My classes do not begin until 9am and the school day is over at 4:45pm. However, we get about a 30 minute complimentary breakfast around 10:30am, an hour and 15 minute lunch break, and at least one 30 minute planning period every day. The teachers move between classrooms instead of the students. We say a prayer with the class at the start of the day and after recess.
The students are very interested in the United States and are excited that I am here. I have loved my experience so far. My favorite memory has to be them asking me to sing with them. Next thing I knew, I was singing "A Million Dreams" from "The Greatest Showman" with a room full of third grade Spanish girls. My heart was so full! I am excited to see what will happen next week, when there will be a sub on Monday and Tuesday, no school on Wednesday, and a skype call with my 1st student teaching placement class on Thursday.
I can't even begin to cover how I feel about the sightseeing and food of this city. Everything has been incredible! I better stop typing so I can go eat tapas with my host family. Hasta luego!
Wednesday, April 17, 2019
Countdown to Barcelona
A couple of weeks ago, I Skyped my family. They gave me a tour of their home, showing me my room and giving me a look into their lives. The three children, the husband, and wife all speak English, Spanish, and Catalan. I have taken three years of Spanish and really want to improve, especially in my speaking. I am nervous about speaking Spanish because I feel very vulnerable when I do it, but I know putting myself out there will be good for me. Listening to them speak at home and at school should be beneficial as well.
My host family says they are eager to take me places and teach me how to navigate the city. I have been told that Barcelona has an easy to understand public transportation system. Having a terrible sense of direction, I hope to be successful and not get lost. If I stick with my classmates, I hope that we will decrease the likelihood of getting lost and also grow to be good friends.
Tune in next week to see my first impressions of my experience!
Hasta luego, Barcelona!
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