My Dear Canadians!

So much to catch up on, I can't believe its already been another week! Let me just start off by saying how sorry I am...I hear that the canucks lost yesterday? that really is a shame... I feel simply awful.. haha, just kidding! I can't tell you how refreshing it is to sit down each morning on the train to find my fellow mates reading the paper... and guess what's on the front page?  Football! You know, the one where you use your FOOT to kick the ball? ah, men with strong calves, now that's what i'm talkin about ;)

Last Sunday we went to Hillsong Church! Apparently we chose the right Sunday to check it out because Israel Houghton, an aspiring song artist from Houston, Texas came to share his story with us. Here is his rendition of 'Great is Thy Faithfulness'  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-jJDnummQ8w&feature=fvwrel  .. beautiful!

Tanisha and I both got called into week on Tuesday. It is expected that everone working through this agency to be up and ready by 7:30 and to be waiting at the nearest tube station for a phone call from Engage Education (our agency). At 7:30 we are either given the address and directions of how to get to this school, or sent back home because was no work found for us. Fortunately, we both were given work for the 4/4 days we have had so far!

Oh boy. Where to begin? The kids are super cute!! The first morning I taught kindergarten.  I introduced myself by saying something like, "Hello there boys and girls! Before we take the register (attendance), I would like to introduce myself to you.." At this point, I made the point of pointing out (haha, yup its getting late over here..) that I have a funny accent. I then had them guess where they thought I might be from.  One girl shouts out "America!" and I tell her that she's close...but to think "UP" a little more...I should have clarified that I meant on a map, because at this point another little boy in a serious voice says, "the Roof?!?" and they all look at me with blank stares. I laughed, I couldn't help it.

The rest of the school days flew by. Fortunately I got called back to the one school three times, and worked at one other school. The staff have been fabulous. Since everyone loves tea here, I often get offered tea upon arrival to the school!! Although, come to think of it- that might also have to do with the huge drop in temperature we have had here the last few weeks. brr! Mom, i'm glad I brought your wool sweater! =)

I was excited to teach my first music class to the grade 4's this week! Who would have guessed that the one improvising course I took in 20th century music would come in handy..? Except this time, for everyones sake, we kept it tonal. The students were placed in groups and were given different instruments (the tambourine, triangle, etc.) and asked to create something that portrayed a 'winter image.'  (Remember, I work as a supply teacher- I work with the material that's given to me and embellish it a bit..) We had a lot of fun. I made a deal with them that if they could come up with music for 50 seconds I would jump in with them on the piano for the last 10 seconds of their composition.  Funny, but I always thought I would dread teaching a music class to a group more than  5 students, but this was actually really fun. Of course, there were no drums or brass.... ;)

My last day was not easy. I made the class "practice silence" on more than one occasion.  Why not start up a gluey project (moon-buggies) with grade 3's on the same day that there happens to be a massive primary-wide toy swap? Why not do this on a friday when the kids have a ton of extra energy??

I can give you 3 good reasons why this did not work in my class.  Fellow teachers, if you have any similar experiences, you have my pity and my sympathy. Let's go for some english tea!

Today Tanisha and I got out to do some more sight-seeing. We actually got the chance to take part in a service in the Westminster Abbey. The choir was beautiful, it kind of took me back to those chorus days, Mon ;)  Big Ben is big, and the Eye truly can see all.

I think in the next blog I want to talk about some of the misconceptions I had about London, and how that has changed so far.

Thank you for reading!!

Missing y'all.  Really, really.


xox