Portugal continues to be delightful. The weather has been magnificent, much like southern California. It feels a lot like California still, without the traffic and frantic pace. We have had a bit of rain and the ocean gets very dramatic. It is sunny and a bit chilly today. I have another week off for Carnival next week. I will tour in the north again. I have found a house/dog sitter so I can leave without worrying.
Norm asked about my job and I realized I hadn’t said much. I am learning a lot. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program has many acronyms to get used to. There is much more emphasis on thinking and metacognition. There is not much emphasis on testing, thank goodness. It still makes no sense and costs ridiculous amounts of money to test as we do in California. Here there are tests to culminate the programs, MYP and IB, but very little testing otherwise. That puts a lot of pressure on the final tests. But the tests are only half of the criterion. They also write an “extended essay” and a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay. All in all, I love the emphasis on thinking and international mindedness. It is also understood that not everyone will complete the IB diploma, although most do.
So, my job, I teach two English classes, one Year 7 (our grade 6) and one Year 8 (our grade 7). I am enjoying the teaching, again, a lot to learn, assessment criterion and curriculum. The kids are great for the most part. There is always one or two… They are eager to learn. The difference I have found with teaching rich versus poor kids is that these kids have had success and embrace learning. Some of the poor kids I’ve taught have given up by this time. There is more of a drive to succeed here, also partly because of the cost, I imagine.
My library is too small, old and very dated. The circulation system is antiquated and needs a lot of work. I have asked for it to be replaced at the cost of 10,000 Euros. We will see. The collection is very dated, I am weeding many books that haven’t been checked out in 10 years. I’m having fun updating the fiction with my favorites. I have implemented a lot of things I used at Century High School. I’ve started a Graphic Novel collection. I have a Library Advisory Board and library newsletter. Even thought the student population is only 350 students, there is plenty to do. As always, I don’t stop once I walk in the door. There is always something to do, questions to answer, information to find. I do get an hour for lunch and I take it! They even pay for my lunch.
My library assistant, Fatima, is wonderful. Conceicao also works there and is hard working and positive. I have a two year contract but I can see staying longer. I may even buy a house!
I am posting pictures here.
Norm asked about my job and I realized I hadn’t said much. I am learning a lot. The International Baccalaureate (IB) program has many acronyms to get used to. There is much more emphasis on thinking and metacognition. There is not much emphasis on testing, thank goodness. It still makes no sense and costs ridiculous amounts of money to test as we do in California. Here there are tests to culminate the programs, MYP and IB, but very little testing otherwise. That puts a lot of pressure on the final tests. But the tests are only half of the criterion. They also write an “extended essay” and a Theory of Knowledge (TOK) essay. All in all, I love the emphasis on thinking and international mindedness. It is also understood that not everyone will complete the IB diploma, although most do.
So, my job, I teach two English classes, one Year 7 (our grade 6) and one Year 8 (our grade 7). I am enjoying the teaching, again, a lot to learn, assessment criterion and curriculum. The kids are great for the most part. There is always one or two… They are eager to learn. The difference I have found with teaching rich versus poor kids is that these kids have had success and embrace learning. Some of the poor kids I’ve taught have given up by this time. There is more of a drive to succeed here, also partly because of the cost, I imagine.
My library is too small, old and very dated. The circulation system is antiquated and needs a lot of work. I have asked for it to be replaced at the cost of 10,000 Euros. We will see. The collection is very dated, I am weeding many books that haven’t been checked out in 10 years. I’m having fun updating the fiction with my favorites. I have implemented a lot of things I used at Century High School. I’ve started a Graphic Novel collection. I have a Library Advisory Board and library newsletter. Even thought the student population is only 350 students, there is plenty to do. As always, I don’t stop once I walk in the door. There is always something to do, questions to answer, information to find. I do get an hour for lunch and I take it! They even pay for my lunch.
My library assistant, Fatima, is wonderful. Conceicao also works there and is hard working and positive. I have a two year contract but I can see staying longer. I may even buy a house!
I am posting pictures here.
