February Olympics
I don’t know about you, but I’m a big fan of the Olympics. While I was marking student papers, I was also watching the opening ceremonies on Friday. The UK commentators said the presentation was “spectacular. I mean I enjoyed it and I think they did a really good job, but I don’t think it was “spectacular”. Favourite moments for me include rocket-powered in-line skaters, the image of a ski-jumper made out of hundreds of volunteers and the Canadian team entrance, (of course). I recognized some of the athletes, and cheered them on from out here. On the first day of competition, they broadcasted some of the women’s Sweden-Russia hockey with a Canadian commentator (Brent Pope). I liked hearing a familiar accent, but he didn’t really do his country proud. The Altona Maroons have better commentators. I was disappointed that they showed less than a minute of the Canada-Italy game. Apparently a 16-0 game has no highlights.
The last time I lived in Europe, I was watching the 2000 Sydney Olympics from Switzerland. I could choose between 2 or 3 channels to choose which sport (or which supporting country) to watch. This year, only one of my 4 available channels actually show the Olympics, and not all day. The commentators talk about if the UK will win any metals, not how many. I don’t know what the expected number is for Canada – BBC does not seam to be interested in any other countries. Within the first two days of competition, I have seen Canada win one gold and one bronze. (Way to go, Cindy Klassen!!!)
Now that it is mid-February, I have been noticing some signs of spring. The sun is rising when I am riding my bike to school, some tulips and crocuses are pushing through the surface, and today I saw a tree budding. The weather has not really changed that much, though. We have had a couple sub-zero mornings in the last week – still no snow though. I guess this might be one of the reasons why the UK’s chances for metals are in question.
I have now completed week 19 out of 38, so by simple mathematics we have surpassed the half-way mark for the school year. During our week off (Spring Half Term Break), I will take some time to reflect where I’ve been and where I am going. The past 5 weeks since Christmas haven’t really been easier. Some of my student groups have settled down, but others are worse than before. In one class, one of my students has been expelled for a couple of days for swearing at me because I insisted for him to sit in his assigned seat, another got expelled because he started beating up another student during a test. Other students started to cheat off each other while I was physically separating the aggressor off the other student. This was once my best-behaved class! Actually most of the perpetrators in this class are students who changed to this school within the school year for various reasons. We tend to get the students that the other schools don’t want. I used to have 26 students in that class and it just got bumped up to 31 two classes ago. I only have room for 30 students. I was able to rearrange a little due to the expulsions, but I will need to do some rearranging when they come back after the break.
Speaking about my break, as of two weeks ago I was scheduled to go on a 4 day tour of Amsterdam and Brugg with Protocol Teachers. Well, that fell through due to lack of interest. The destination was not the primary reason why I had signed up. I just wanted to sit in the passenger’s seat and take it in. As a teacher, I spend a lot of time planning and executing the plan. Then I plan some more. This trip would have allowed me to do something fun with someone else do the planning. And I could share experiences with other over-sea teachers. Oh well. I quickly planned a simple trip to Ireland instead. Highlights: Blarney stone, a traditional music festival in Killarney and one night in a hotel with a pool. It is going to be off-season, so some of the attraction will be closed. I hope the weather holds up! I have use of one of the school’s digital cameras, so keep tuned for more pictures in my photo albums.
Kevin
The last time I lived in Europe, I was watching the 2000 Sydney Olympics from Switzerland. I could choose between 2 or 3 channels to choose which sport (or which supporting country) to watch. This year, only one of my 4 available channels actually show the Olympics, and not all day. The commentators talk about if the UK will win any metals, not how many. I don’t know what the expected number is for Canada – BBC does not seam to be interested in any other countries. Within the first two days of competition, I have seen Canada win one gold and one bronze. (Way to go, Cindy Klassen!!!)
Now that it is mid-February, I have been noticing some signs of spring. The sun is rising when I am riding my bike to school, some tulips and crocuses are pushing through the surface, and today I saw a tree budding. The weather has not really changed that much, though. We have had a couple sub-zero mornings in the last week – still no snow though. I guess this might be one of the reasons why the UK’s chances for metals are in question.
I have now completed week 19 out of 38, so by simple mathematics we have surpassed the half-way mark for the school year. During our week off (Spring Half Term Break), I will take some time to reflect where I’ve been and where I am going. The past 5 weeks since Christmas haven’t really been easier. Some of my student groups have settled down, but others are worse than before. In one class, one of my students has been expelled for a couple of days for swearing at me because I insisted for him to sit in his assigned seat, another got expelled because he started beating up another student during a test. Other students started to cheat off each other while I was physically separating the aggressor off the other student. This was once my best-behaved class! Actually most of the perpetrators in this class are students who changed to this school within the school year for various reasons. We tend to get the students that the other schools don’t want. I used to have 26 students in that class and it just got bumped up to 31 two classes ago. I only have room for 30 students. I was able to rearrange a little due to the expulsions, but I will need to do some rearranging when they come back after the break.
Speaking about my break, as of two weeks ago I was scheduled to go on a 4 day tour of Amsterdam and Brugg with Protocol Teachers. Well, that fell through due to lack of interest. The destination was not the primary reason why I had signed up. I just wanted to sit in the passenger’s seat and take it in. As a teacher, I spend a lot of time planning and executing the plan. Then I plan some more. This trip would have allowed me to do something fun with someone else do the planning. And I could share experiences with other over-sea teachers. Oh well. I quickly planned a simple trip to Ireland instead. Highlights: Blarney stone, a traditional music festival in Killarney and one night in a hotel with a pool. It is going to be off-season, so some of the attraction will be closed. I hope the weather holds up! I have use of one of the school’s digital cameras, so keep tuned for more pictures in my photo albums.
Kevin
posted by K. Stoesz at 03:52
1 Comments:
Sounds like you had a rewarding time in Ireland. Thanks agian for sharing.
If you have some pictures, would be happy to view them. Wish you well in the next 5 weeks till your next break
Take care B/R
Post a Comment
<< Home