A Week of Firsts

First Day as  Teacher
Well, they aren't kidding when they say that students in the UK are difficult to manage in the classroom. For my Ontario teacher friends/teacher candidates I can only compare it to this: almost every class no matter what year or learning level is like a Grade 10 Applied History class or similar equivalence to any subject and sometimes worse. The school I am working at is very focused on student behavior and ensuring that all students walk away with great British values, respect, etc. As a federation, there are solid procedures put into place and a huge support team. In Ontario, if another teacher has to enter your room or assist in dealing with a student or students it is taken negatively---you were not able to deal with it on your own. However, in my federation this is not the case. Teachers are constantly in and out of classrooms checking on students and learning from one another. If there is a problem, available teachers are more than happy to intervene and assist but it is a positive assistance. I have not had any serious problems in my classes thus far, but I'm not going to hold my breath for too long. Most of my students are just chatty but this can be expected in any school in any place in the world on the first days back after summer. I did keep my first student behind after school for a few minutes so he could practice sitting in silence.

So what am I teaching? Good question. With the first few days under the way, there have been changes in my department based on student numbers, etc; therefore my schedule is still being adjusted. I will have an updated version Monday morning. Now, for anyone who has ever planned for lessons or seen me plan for lessons you may think this is crazy---not knowing what you are teaching until the morning of. However, as I think I mentioned before but if not, I am now, my department has planned lessons for all the courses up until the end of the term. I have acquainted myself with each courses lessons and content so once I get my schedule on Monday I just need open up a lesson plan and teach!

First Time at a "Football" Game
I went to my first official British Football (Canadian Soccer) game--Luton versus Grimsby. The game ended up being tied and it hailed half way through; however, I can now say that I have seen a game. Even though I normally do not watch sports and cannot play sports if my life depended on it...I still find myself getting WAY too into competitive sports as a live viewer. Plus at half time they brought out about 50 little "football" players and had a few games going on. They were adorable to watch.
A major difference between British stadiums and Canadian stadiums---you cannot drink alcohol in British ones. You have to drink your beverage outside the stadium before entering and taking your seat.
I also realized that Brits have the best "shouting" voices for matches. It sounds as if they have smoked 20 packs of cigarettes a day---a really raw yet LOUD shout comes out. It is very British indeed.

First Time Eating Thai Food in England
This week marked the birthday of one of the other Canadians who came to teach at my school so we all went out for dinner. We found this great Thai restaurant, I need to find out if they do they take-out or delivery for a quick pad thai meal. In addition to going out for Thai Food, we bought a pinata for her birthday. Of course we had nothing to hang it by or to hit it with so we attempted to hold the string and then have her punch it. After a few attempts she could not break the pinata so my black belt friend round house kicked it while I held the string. Scariest moment of my life but also hilarious because she kicked the body right off the head, sent the body flying and the head swung around on the string and hit me in the face...all caught on video! So I guess I can say it was the first time that I was hit in the head with a pinata as well.

First Time having a Landscaper
As I am writing this blog, there are two landscapers in my backyard tidying things up! Am I paying for them? HECK NO.  The estates agent that we signed through have hired them. YAY!

First Time seeing the largest spider of my life
It just happened...as I was writing this entry. My roommate brought the garbage bag out into the living room and there it was, on the bag. I screamed...has a moment of paralysis, screamed again, was almost sick to my stomach and then killed it. Alisha (my roommate) thinks I am the bravest person for doing it...I almost couldn't but I could not let that thing live...it was huge. Thinking about it makes me want to be sick. **for any spider lovers out there, I am sorry if this post bothers you**

First Rainy Day in Luton
This is probably shocking to most of you, but besides a few overcast days when Sarah and I first arrived in Luton, I have only seen high temperatures and bright sunny days. There was one day when it rained for probably 10 minutes and then stopped. However, yesterday, was a very overcast day and in the middle of the "football" game it DOWN POURED! It even began hailing at one point. I think it is about time I purchase my Wellies (rain boots), good thing my roommate brought my rain jacket over with her (after I left it in Canada).