One Week to Go......

It has been so crazy lately and I am so so sorry that I haven't been updating my blog as frequently as I would have liked to but it has been CRAZY busy lately. And since now, I have the perfect opportunity and the right amount of time to jot down a bit of what has been going on. Well, where oh where to begin since SOOO Much has happened since I have last been on! Well, my parents have come and gone for a short visit. They hoped over to Sydney and and Melbourne Australia for a bit of work and then headed to Auckland. I met them in Sydney for the weekend and we had a FABULOUS time :) It was SOOO nice to see them and also see Australia while I am down here. Jackie and I have been doing a bit of traveling and going to different beaches and going to different hikes and walks along NZ. It has been SUCH lovely weather lately and I definitely need to be taking advantage of it before I head home to the freezing TUNDRA of Chicago/ and the EVEN Colder Wisconsin...I am definitely, DEFINITELY NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT!!! There is also SO much happening at school seeing as the kids only have 2 1/2 days LEFT and our classroom is completely cleared out! There is nothing in their and we have been including a Wide range of activities to keep the kids busy and happy as the school year is quickly coming to an end. Jan and Cory have been so wonderful to me as they have opened their home to me, and I feel as though a part of their family :) It has been SUCH an AMAZING EXPERIENCE that I am truly enjoying!!!! :) It is going to be very, very hard to leave this amazing place with all of these fantastic people. My cooperating teacher Sarah has also been so amazing teaching me the ropes and guiding me through this experience, I have learned so much by having her and gained so much experience in the classroom teaching older children.

Last Monday, I celebrated my 22nd birthday in NZ, which was a big deal since it was the first birthday that I was away from my twin sister Laura. It was soo weird because it was the first time we were apart on our birthdays and the first time in different time zones, since I celebrated our birthday a day before...it was SURREAL. Jan put together a pizza party, which was SOOOO nice of her to do :) We had Rachel, Ken, Jackie and Cory all over and had pita pizzas and Pavlova (a NZ cake which is DELICIOUS). It was soo much fun!

Yesterday I also went out surfing! It was SOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FUN! I think I am going to try again! I went with one of the substitute Teachers at school who also has his own surf school/teaching club. It was soo much fun! I actually was able to STAND on the board. We went out to Piha, which was absolutely AMAZING! It was probably to one of the most beautiful places I have been to :) It was so much fun! Jan, Cory and Jackie met us there and we had a BLAST, we then headed over to Keri Keri which again, was absolutely beautiful! I LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT! I DEFINITELY, DEFINITELY WANT TO GO BACK!!!

Well, only one week to go, Jackie and I have a busy weekend ahead and we are going to do some planning tonight in order to plan for the last week ahead. It is CRAZY, only ONE more Week!

How, oh How will I be able to leave such a beautiful place such as this?

Teaching, Teaching & ROTORUA! :)

My Oh My, what a WILD couple of weeks it has been! I can't believe there are only 3 more weeks left in the school term! Time is flying bye!! I cannot believe it is almost Thanksgiving Time! The past few weeks have just flown! Last week I began my full control in Ms. Mason's classroom. It has been going really well so far and I am enjoying working with the 4/5 graders! They can be quite a handful sometimes with all of their energy and chit chattiness! But I am learning a Lot. I love being able to take the kids out for fitness, I think it is so neat that it is the classroom teachers job to take the kids out for a run/game/activity as part of their Physical Education time. We also have been working on our communication unit and this week we will be creating a timeline of the different types of communication that have been invented.

I am so sorry it has taken me so LONG to write on my blog, but time has definitely gotten away from me and so much is happening it is hard to keep track. Well, Lets see..... Two weekends ago Jackie and I venture down to Auckland to do some shopping and see all of the sites in the BIG city, yet we had some minor weather mishaps and we ended up not making it down on Saturday due to the fact that all of the trains were closed and there was no way we could get downtown. We had quite a laugh when we realized that we were just not meant to go downtown, so instead we had a planning day and got some MAJOR work done..which was much needed. Jan then took us that night to see fireworks ontop of this beautiful look out. The drive was just amazing and it was a great time! We then went home and set off a few of our own fireworks! It was a lot of fun and I realized just how much I love sparklers! hehe

School is going really well! I have lots planned yet only so much time left! Next week, I am having the students get together with a buddy and have them invent and create a type of technology for the FUTURE! This activity will allow the childrens imaginations to run wild and they will be able to create ANYTHING they want, as long as it relates to Communication and Technology. It is so exciting seeing the students all ready and excited for this unit and I think it will also be a LOT of FUN!

I also started a new art project this week, where the students will be creating a Name Art! I am having them create a project using their name but instead of doing letters they will have to draw pictures that look as though they are letters but they will be images representing what they might like to do someday.... Maybe I am explaining this a bit odd, but this might help... For my example I drew out my name Cathy, but for each letter I drew a picture that sent the message of that of a teacher. The C-was a ruler, the A-was an apple, the T-was a pencil, the H-was the alphabet, the Y was a box of crayons. It was so neat because this project also related directly into our topic of communication, where the images would communicate an idea of what they would like to be in the future. I was so impressed and shocked by how excited the students were to get started! There is just so much to do and so little time left in the year. We are also working on our Writing Unit-which focuses on letter writing and editorial writing. I am going to have the students work with a partner and determine some fact and opinon pieces before I have them write a Letter to the Editor piece. Next week I am also going to have some Thanksgiving Lessons and some crafts for the students, they are super excited to learn what Thanksgiving is all about and all of the traditions we have in America.

Last weekend Jan, Cory, Jackie and I all headed down to Rotorua which is a major tourist spot and for good reason. It was absolutely beautiful from every direction! I just love the drive everywhere we go, it is like having free entertainment because out of every window it is just so beautiful. I can't get over the beauty of New Zealand. On Saturday, I started the day off SKYDIVING!!! It was soooo incredible and I had the BEST time EVER!!!! It was just one of those things that I couldn't miss out on and now I am hooked! It was sooo amazing and the coolest experience of my life. I went tandem and my guy was so awesome, he taught me how to fly the parachute and gave me full control of manuvering it around the sky. It was so beautiful from up there, there is no better feeling in the world, than flying above one of the most beautiful countries. It was absolutely magical! I just can't wait for the next time I do it! That night Jackie and I went to a traditional Maori Hangi Dinner, which was an absolute BLAST. We got picked up by the Tamaki Maori Tribe where we were greated by people from all over the world, who were going on the experience! The bus driver was absolutely hilarious, on the way to the reservation we were singing and laughing and learning a bit of Maori. The whole evening was planned, when we first go there we had to be welcomed by the Chief of the Tribe, before any visitors could come into their home. Once they accepted us into their home we proceeded into the woods, where there were several different groups of Maori that would explain a certain accept of the culture, whether be games, hunting, song and dance, education etc. It was absolutely fascinating and a little chilly. They then had us move to see how and where they cooked the dinner, in Maori tradition they cooked the food under the ground, in the earth. They would dig a big whole and lay coal like rocks in the hole and heat them up. They would then place the food on top and cover it, to allow the food to cook. It was so interesting seeing and fascinating! I couldn't get over, how this tradition is still going on for so many generations. We then saw a traditional song and dance and heard many different stories of the Maori and their history. I learned so much and it was just an incredible evening. Which only got better when dinner was served, they served us the traditional Hangii Meals that were cooked under the earth, which were carrots, kumara (sweet potato), chicken, potatoes). It was so nice and we met a lovely Canadian couple, we had such a good time getting to know them! The night was just sooo MUCH fun! Jackie and I were laughing the whole way back!

On Sunday, Jackie and I ventured to walk around the blue and green lake. It was so beautiful and we had a really great hike. I just wanted to stop at every little cove and take a picture, but it would have then taken us forever to finish the hike. hehehe but I did try to take as many as I could. When we were done, all of us went to the Thermal Pools, it was sooo amazing, it was like an outdoor natural hot tub with a waterfall. It was so beautiful and it felt amazing! We had a lot of fun and it was so nice to just relax and prepare myself for the week ahead!

Well, I better be off time for bed here! I have a busy, busy day tomorrow at school and I definitely need my rest! Till Next time! :) KIA ORA!

Wow!!!

What a week it has been! We started the week off at Swanson following a short two week holiday break. So the kids were rested and ready and excited to learn! It was soo awesome meeting all of them and they seem like such a lovely group of kids, I am very excited to start teaching and planning :) In only one short week I will have taken over the entire classroom as the lead teacher. My cooperatin teacher has been amazing! She has been so wonderful and so supportive! I think we are going to make a good team! Next week I have some Halloween activities planned and then I will continue their communication unit as now they are writing to buddies from Wisconsin! It will be so far a great activity to write and Communicate with someone from another part of the world. :) the kids are super excited to learn all the nitty griddy details of what it's like to live in America. There are only about six weeks left of the school year so there is lots and lots to do and time will just zoom on bye! The weather is getting nicer and nicer out and the kids just want to get out and play! I think i am going to come up with a scavenger hunt for the kids and some relays to get the up and moving! They absolutely love to play games outside and with other classses, it is a great community school where they are all learning and growing together.This next school term is the last one before the long Christmas holiday (which is basically their summer vacation) once they return they will have a whole new class and a new teacher waiting

This weekend Jackie and I are off on our own little adventure up to the Bay of Islands. It is suppose to be absolutely amazing so I am very excited!!!! Right now we are reading on one leg of the trip, where we are on a coach bus taking us to Pahiha which is about a four hour drive. Luckily the bus has wifi but I not very intelligently chose not to bring my computer. Why does it seem as though the times you take your laptop somewhere you never use it and the times you don't are the times where you could desperately use it. Luckily though I haven phone which seems to be doing the job as I am updating my blog as I speak :) I think I will be heading off now, but I will keep you updated as the weekend goes on! Have a great weekend everyone :)

Rugby World Cup Madness!

WOW!

It has been quite a weekend! Jackie and I arrived on (NZ time) Saturday morning at 5:40, from flying out on (Chicago time) 4:00 on Thursday! We totally had Friday erased...goodbye Friday! Jan picked me up at the airport and then we headed back to her place to get things situated and upacked! We then took a couple of her friends that were staying with her to do some shopping, they were in town to go to the World Cup the next day! So Jan did everything she could to keep me from falling asleep until at least 8:00, I think I did quite well I ended up falling asleep around 9:00, which only took a matter of 10 seconds from the time my head hit the pillow! Jan truly welcomed me into her home and I feel so happy to be with her and her son! She has given Jackie and I so many great ideas of things to do and see throughout our time in New Zealand! But boy oh boy it has been such a whirlwind here in New Zealand! On Sunday, it was the BIG, HUGE, CRAZY Rugby World Cup Final Day and yes New Zealand was up against an unfavorable team the French. It was so exciting watching my first ever Rugby team and this was their SUPERBOWL equivalncey except picture the Superbowl times 100 where the entire country would be rooting for their team! The team is the ALL BLACKS, and everyone was covered in head to toe black the entire weekend. Jan had gotten some tattoos so we put some on our face and our hands to gear up for the BIG game, we headed to Jan's friends house to watch the game as they were having a big party for lots of friends and their families. It was so AWESOME seeing how excited the kids were as were the parents as they stood biting their nails as the score kept getting closer and closer...and believe me I would not have liked to be in that room if the French would have one hehehe. But NEW ZEALAND WON and it was soooo AMAZING, the party went WILD!!! Everyone was cheering, tearing, laughing, hugging! They were all so passionate for their country and their love of Rugby, it was just very inspiring. So going from an amazing cultural experience of Rugby from which that was AMAZING! Today was my first day at Swanson! My cooperating teacher is amazing and her class seems like they are going to be a lot of fun! It is so crazy working with kids my height, as I just finished up with the kindergarteners but it is a great transition. The school really welcomed us with a traditional Maori event! Jackie and I, were part of the whole event as the entire school and staff welcomed us to their family. It was so amazing! The kids sang traditional Maori songs, and truly made me feel welcome to their school and also New Zealand :) It was a great day, the weather was beautiful and sunny around 72 degrees, ohh yeah the kids are allowed to be barefoot here and that is something I am not used to, but its the Kiwi way, so whatever works, works! :) The school and staff is so welcoming and kind, I am so excited to see the adventures that lye ahead! Next week we have a field trip which I am very excited for! :) and lots of things that I want to have planned! Jackie and I have some big plans to head up to the Bay of Islands this weekend! Which I am SUPER excited for!!! It is supposed to be BEAUTIFUL! :) I cannot wait! We are spending the weekend up there from Friday to Sunday so it should definitely be quite an adventure! I will try and respond hopefully sooner than later :)

E noho ra! (See You Later)

Huh? You're going where?

I will be visitingSwanson Primary Schoolwhich is located on the northern island of New Zealand, west of Auckland. Swanson is a small town located approximately 50 minutes from Auckland International Airport.

Over the next eight weeks I plan to challenge myself to experience new things. I plan to gain new perspectives from a culture that is different from my own. I am planning to push myself outside of my comfort zone and gain a fresh perspective of who I am. I am very excited to be teaching in Auckland, New Zealand at Swanson Primary School. I am so excited to experience their culture, traditions, country and the school wide initiatives that will help me grow as a educator. :) It is both an exciting and anxious time and I am more than ready for this adventure to begin!

Here are some quick facts about Auckland and the county of New Zealand :)

• Population: 4.2 million
• Capital: Wellington
• Major languages: English, Maori
• Major religion: Christianity
• Life expectancy: 76 years (men), 81 years (women)
• Monetary unit: 1 New Zealand dollar ($NZ) = 100 cents
• Main exports: Wool, food and dairy products, wood and paper products
• Internet domain: .nz
• International dialling code: +64
  

• Auckland is the largest as well as the most populous urban area of New Zealand.
• Auckland was originally inhabited by the Maori people.
• Auckland was initially known as ‘Tamaki Makau Rau,’ meaning a maiden with 100 lovers.
• Auckland houses the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world.
• Auckland has two harbors on two separate major bodies of water, namely Manukau Harbour on the Tasman Sea and the Waitemata Harbour on the Pacific Ocean.
• The largest volcano located in Auckalnd is in the Rangitoto Island.
• Auckland is located on and around an isthmus, with its narrowest point merely 2 kilometers in width, which is between Mangere Inlet and the Tamaki River.
• As per 2006 statistics, Auckland ranked 23^rd on the UBS list of the world's richest cities.
• With regard to the quality of life, Auckland currently ranks 5^th amongst 218 major cities of the world.
• Auckland is commonly referred as the "City of Sails", because the harbor is flanked by hundreds of yachts and has more yachts per capita than any other city in the world.
• The Sky Tower located in Auckland is the tallest free standing structure in the entire Southern Hemisphere.
• Auckland is the breeding ground for the New Zealand Sea Lion, which is the most endangered of the five species of sea lion in the world.
• Auckland houses approximately 30 percent of the world’s total population of yellow-eyed penguin, which is also bred here.

New Zealand lies in the southern Pacific Ocean, 1600 km east of Australia. It is made up of the North and South Islands and a number of smaller islands, with a total area of 268 000 sq km.

Mountain ranges and hill country dominate NZ's landscape; one of the most striking physical features is the Southern Alps. These, along with fiords glaciers and lakes and the coastal plains of Canterbury and Southland add to the variety of the South Island scenery. In the North Island the volcanic interior contains NZ's largest lake, Lake Taupo, and most of the country's active volcanoes - Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Tongariro - Ruapehu erupted as recently as 1995 and 1996. Hot springs, geysers, mud pools also form part of the volcanic system centred around Rotorua.