My last “official” day of school is over!!!

This afternoon it’s 68 and partly cloudy, although it says there’s a thunderstorm as I write this. Maybe it’s confused. Twice last night it poured and stormed; once about seven (which produced some small hail) and again at three in the morning. I had my window open, as I usually do now that the weather is warmer, and I jolted awake when something smashed into the window (more hail, I assume). I thought something big had fallen and broken off my bookshelf, it was that loud! So I got up to see what had broken and about that time it finally registered that it was storming again! It rained SO much last night!

My being at school was a little on the pointless side today: I got to 6C at nine and María was like “We have an exam, so there’s nothing for you to do”. So I went into the Sala de Profes and hung out. Then I went to 2B and Fran was like “Today we’re reviewing a bunch of stuff (by taking notes, I assume, that’s what he’s done in the past) so there’s nothing you can do”.

I didn’t want to go sit in the Sala for another hour, so I went into Lourdes’ class (3A) and hung out with them while they practiced their dance for the festival. Then I had 3B and like half of the class was missing, so we played Hang Man the whole time. It’s interesting because they don’t know the English alphabet (which is kinda sad because second grade does, or most of the letters at least…since I taught it to Carlos a few months ago, every time I go in there he recites it for me!) So we played it with English words, but they guessed the letters in Spanish…

Last hour I was with 3A again and they worked on a worksheet. Then I went with the group to lunch; it was the last one of the year because this is the last Monday they have to go back from four to seven. We don’t have school tomorrow because it’s Castilla-La Mancha Day, so I get another break!

Xoxo,

Court

It’s quite a bit cooler today—73 and cloudy. It’s also rained a bit, too.

I didn’t meet with Carmen this morning. We talked last night and she said she had way too much to do with the year coming to a close—exams to grade and such—but she hopes we can meet next week.

Instead, I went to the bookstore and bought some markers and then I went next door and bought my favorite perfume, Amor Amor, since they don’t sell it in the US anymore, I’m gonna have to stock up next year!

I think I’m gonna go study some Spanish now…I’ve started listening to this podcast called Notes in Spanish and .taking notes for each episode. There’s three levels—beginner, intermediate and advanced—and I’m just about finished with the beginner. I’ve already learned a ton, even at that level!

Xoxo,

Court

It’s a bit on the warm side today—88 and cloudy!

My last official full week is over! I’m still planning on going in a little bit in June, but I can pretty much decide my own schedule, since I won’t get paid.

Because first and second year are in Madrid on a field trip, I didn’t have first or third hour. I have five-years B third hour, but Espe went with them, so we didn’t have class today.

I was supposed to have 6B second hour, but when I got there they were like “Oh, we have our class picture and then rehearsal (for the end of the year festival) after that. I didn’t have anything else to do, so I hung out and watched them.

So the only actual classes I had were the four-year-olds this afternoon. I had fun with them—I reviewed all their workbook characters with them (Ellie the elephant and all her friends). I spread out the characters and called the kiddos up and said something like “Put Duck, Max or Hippo inside the square, circle, or rectangle”. They’re so cute; they all wanted to have a turn and if I didn’t call on them, some pouted! Too bad that eagerness to participate will cease to exist in a few years…

I glad it’s the weekend! This heat’s been making me tired…

Xoxo,

Court

It’s 82 and 100% sunny today. I thought it was hotter than that as I was walking home, but I guess not!

I read 5B their last unit story of the year about how four dragons became the rivers of China. I asked them comprehension questions and then we watched the DVD of the story. We ended by correcting three book activities.

With the fourth years I started talking about Flag Day. I found a PowerPoint and they did a word search. We didn’t have time this week, so probably next I’ll talk about the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star Spangled Banner.

We started of 1A by having six little kiddos grab a food flashcard and then Espe and I tried to guess who had what. Afterwards, we listened to a story on CD, then we put the story cards in random order on the board and I read the story again and a student had to come up, choose the right card and put it in the correct spot.

I have class with Raúl at four and I’m super tired (more so than usual!)—for one reason or another I didn’t sleep well last night. I wish could take a nap, but that’ll have to wait.

Xoxo,

Court

Today it’s 81 and cloudless. It was a bit warm as I was walking home from school.

I spent the whole first hour with Ángela’s class. I think that was my last class, as we’re officially done next Monday. I plan on still coming in here and there after that, but not for the three-year-olds—we just don’t do a whole lot; I don’t think it’s worth it.

5A was quite the talkative bunch this morning! We went over several activities from their book and also corrected some and just about each time I asked someone a question, after they answered, the whole class would chat it up a bit. That went on until María José got mad enough to threaten to take away recess if they didn’t stop. After that they were quiet—for the most part.

We listened again to this song about picnic food in 1B. I was sort of dancing and trying to have a good time with it and they all laughed at me! Later we did this worksheet in which they had to count food items and then color in up to that number on the chart.

Pilar came to school today to visit! I saw her during recreo. She looks really good and she said the doctor has Ok’d her to get out and about and that she isn’t in too much danger of losing the baby anymore, thank goodness! She looks so cute with her little bump! And she said she’s planning on returning it September! I mean, María’s nice and everything, but I miss her!

With five-years A we worked more with prepositional phrases (I think that’s what they’re called!). Words/phrases like behind, in front of, next to, and on. We did this activity in pairs where one person would stand still and the other would move around as directed…well except for on, I guess.

6A always seems to be in trouble by the time I get there and are always copying pages. Maybe because that class consists of mainly talkative boys… I read them a brief excerpt from their books about children’s responsibilities around the world (i.e. making your bed, doing dishes, setting the table…) and that was it; the rest of the time they were copying.

For some reason I’m really tired today, so I’m totally taking a nap now!

Xoxo,

Court

Today it’s 79 and clear!

6C was first; I read them a page about the cycle our water goes through in order to drink it—that was a bit on the boring side. Then we corrected several pages of homework. One thing that I’ve noticed lately that kinda bugs me/I don’t understand/can’t tell the difference between is their pronunciation of the words “have” and “had”. They pronounce “have” normally, but “had” is pronounced like “hath” and most of the time I can’t tell the difference between the two; which probably wouldn’t be that big of a deal except they’re learning about the past and many times on their homework they have to choose whether the word should be in the past or present.

I asked 2B questions about what they wanted to be when they grow up. Fran then wanted to do a review of several things they’d learned, so I wrote questions on the board like “What’s your name? How old are you? What’s your favorite animal/color?” Then we went around the room and everyone had a chance to answer a question.

I was supposed to be done at eleven today, because third year was gone on a field trip, but I ended up staying until school got out. I ran into Rocío as I was getting ready to leave and she started talking about activities for Flag Day, so I sort of got roped into looking for activities and coloring letters to hang in the computer room.

I ran to the store on the way home. And I need to run to the bookstore to get a couple of markers, but I have to wait until five. At least that’ll give me an hour to read; I delve more into The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo this weekend and now I’m really into it!

Xoxo,

Court

And all the paperwork has been filled out and submitted for renewal of my NIE! I was pretty easy—we went to Juan Ignacio’s office (the head guy for the Ciudad Real region), he gave us one page to fill out and then he took us down the hall to get it processed.

The bus left Socu at 6:45 (I got up at 4:45—WAY to early!). We arrived right at nine o’clock, went to the police station to pick up Will’s actual NIE card from before and got to Juan Ignacio’s by 9:45. We were out by 10:20 and walked to the train station from there.

 They’re supposed to be ready within a month, so I’m really hoping I can pick it up before I leave…and I’m pretty sure we have to go back pick it up—we did the first time and plus they didn’t say anything like “we’ll send it to you”. That’s ok though…when Arturo and I picked them up after the New Year, it took all of 15 seconds and were on the 9:50 train back.

Walking back from the train station I thought I wanted to take a nap, but now I don’t really feel like it. Who knows, maybe I’ll end up taking one later…I think I’m gonna read now though—I haven’t gotten very far in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

Xoxo,

Court