Back to Business

G'day Mates! ;)

Laura and I have successfuly returned froom our trip to Aussie-land this past weekend and are back in full swing at Swanson School. New Zealand's Labor Day was yesterday so we had an extended weekend. In our short time in Sydney we experienced the Opera House, Taronga Zoo, the Harbor Bridge, Bilgola Beach, the town of Manly, some shopping, and some nightlife. All thanks to our amazing friend, hostess and tour guide Prue Ramsay (for those of you who don't know, she studied at SNC last spring on exchange from Australia - It was so cool to see her again!). We had a great time!!

Nightshot of Sydney

Bilgola Beach with Prue!

The famous Opera House!

Yay for being tourists! :)

There is a baby kangaroo hiding in this photo...do you see it?

Today was back to business though. I had to keep reminding myself that it was Tuesday because it felt like the beginning of the week. Today I taught an introductory Science lesson on sound by playing a game with the students - it went well and I had so much fun! We will be focusing on light, sound and energy for the rest of their school term. I also began a writing project about Wisconsin. Today we located it on a map, read a story that I had brought from the states, and began making a web of things we knew and wanted to learn. Tomorrow I will be having the students research those items with a parter in the lab. We will then share results and begin report writing towards the end of the week. The kids are so excited about it! I am also teaching a fitness activity everyday and will be beginning reading activities as well. It won't be long at all before I'm in full control. (Wow- it's moving fast!) Music teaching is progressing as well. I am still working with my half of the class to get them to learn recorder. It is definitely a challenge but the kids are so dedicated and I am determined to help them as much as I can. We still have our goal of playing Jingle Bells at their Christmas concert with me conducting (yikes!) haha. Together we will get there in the next few weeks - I know it! :)

Well, that is all for now. As soon as I get my pictures from Australia loaded up I will add them to this post but it might take a while. Farewell for now! :)