Aussie Times
Ok, so I have to just accept the fact that I will probably only make entries in my journal at random periods because I get lazy and/or I'll forget about it.
I'm currently in Australia right now. I'm fulfilling half of my student teaching requirements at a secondary school here (like a middle school and high school combined). I've been very fortunate to have such an awesome placement. The teacher that I work with, Chris, is only 25 and so we grew up in the same era and we have very similar interests. He is super excited to take me to a bunch of places while I'm here, so that I can see everything that that Australia has to offer (well at least in the state of Victoria that is).
My placement is in a more rural setting so I get to see the beautiful countryside of the state. On the other hand, since Chris is from Melbourne (the second biggest city in Australia next to Sydney) and it's only 1.5 hour drive away - I go there about once every other week. There's a lot to do there. Nice Japanese shops, awesome Italian restaurants, it's close to the beach, etc.
I've started teaching at the school where I work. It's exciting because they're really open to any lesson plan I make. They don't really follow any sort of overall lesson plans, which in the long run I think can be a bad thing but for my short stay it's nice. Also, there is a Japanese intern here while I am here and she and I get along great! I am able to practice my Japanese with her. On Thursdays, we make our way to the primary school (aka elementary school) and teach very short and simple Japanese lessons. We try to make the lessons short, interactive, and not too overwhelming. Last week we make Koala origami, which went over great! This week (tomorrow), we plan on teaching NA NI NU NE NO. Of course after we do the writing aspect of it the kids get to draw a picture they think looks like the character and then we will play a game where they have to make the hiragana out of their bodies. We did that at Japanese camp and it was interesting - we got a few complaints but in the end I think they enjoyed it.
Well I better take off since I have to pay for my usage minutes here! Take care everyone! And Jessa!! E-mail me!!! GRRR!
~Jared
I'm currently in Australia right now. I'm fulfilling half of my student teaching requirements at a secondary school here (like a middle school and high school combined). I've been very fortunate to have such an awesome placement. The teacher that I work with, Chris, is only 25 and so we grew up in the same era and we have very similar interests. He is super excited to take me to a bunch of places while I'm here, so that I can see everything that that Australia has to offer (well at least in the state of Victoria that is).
My placement is in a more rural setting so I get to see the beautiful countryside of the state. On the other hand, since Chris is from Melbourne (the second biggest city in Australia next to Sydney) and it's only 1.5 hour drive away - I go there about once every other week. There's a lot to do there. Nice Japanese shops, awesome Italian restaurants, it's close to the beach, etc.
I've started teaching at the school where I work. It's exciting because they're really open to any lesson plan I make. They don't really follow any sort of overall lesson plans, which in the long run I think can be a bad thing but for my short stay it's nice. Also, there is a Japanese intern here while I am here and she and I get along great! I am able to practice my Japanese with her. On Thursdays, we make our way to the primary school (aka elementary school) and teach very short and simple Japanese lessons. We try to make the lessons short, interactive, and not too overwhelming. Last week we make Koala origami, which went over great! This week (tomorrow), we plan on teaching NA NI NU NE NO. Of course after we do the writing aspect of it the kids get to draw a picture they think looks like the character and then we will play a game where they have to make the hiragana out of their bodies. We did that at Japanese camp and it was interesting - we got a few complaints but in the end I think they enjoyed it.
Well I better take off since I have to pay for my usage minutes here! Take care everyone! And Jessa!! E-mail me!!! GRRR!
~Jared