I Amsterdam

I love travelling to Amsterdam -- our flight was only 45 minutes!  If only all flights lasted three-quarters of an hour...

We arrived in Amsterdam around 4:30pm, and so we decided to go exploring as soon as we dropped off our luggage at our hostel, Aviengo. In the town centre near the war monument there was a rather large carnival going on with some pretty sweet rides and games. We, of course, stopped to take pictures of this.  After a bit of walking around, it started to rain, so we decided to go to Madam Tussaud’s wax museum. It was pretty cool – the wax people look so real! I especially loved getting my picture taken with Justin Timberlake, George Clooney, and Johnny Depp (xoxo).

After the wax museum we went to a bar/café called Grasshoppers and had some wine (among other things – I mean, it’s Amsterdam)! On our journey home through the carnival we decided to be adventurous and go on the gigantic swing – basically this swing was like any swing at any amusement park, with a twist: so you sit in a seat and go around in a circle...sounds familiar, right?  Only this one went up up UP super high so that you could see all of Amsterdam from the very top. At first I was freaking out because I’m not a huge fan of heights, but once I settled down, it was pretty amazing. I felt like Peter Pan flying through the sky.

When we got off, on our way back to the hostel, we stopped and got waffles, which was probably the best tasting dessert I’ve ever had in my life. And, since we were being nutritious, we also had some fries (with mayo, of course – to be truly European), which, honestly, were THE BEST fries I have EVER had in my life. Seriously – go to Amsterdam if only for their waffles and French fries.

On the walk back to our hostel we decided to go through the red-light district. THAT was an experience. Just rows and rows (and streets and streets) of red lights framing the windows of women “at work.” It was definitely worth seeing. One street we walked down, though, had hundreds of men (or so it seemed), and no women apart from Cara and I. This was a little discomforting. This was the one and only time on my trip that I felt nervous, and admittedly a little scared. Just hundreds of men staring at these women, and Cara and I trying to weave our way through the crowd. We got out of there ASAP and carried on to our hostel.

On our second day (after a horrible night sleep because of some incredibly rude roommates), we went on the Free Walking Tour. Our tour guide, Ryan, gave us a wonderfully animated tour of Amsterdam, and even expanded our vocabulary (“this is a mysterical place”). We met some pretty fun Canadians, Liam, Molly, and Enyi, and spent the evening with them; we had dinner at a really yummy pasta place called Pizza Pasta Steakhouse, went to the Erotic Museum (WOAH), enjoyed a drink and a “coffee” at St. Christopher’s Coffeeshop - ;) – and went back to our favorite bar, The Grasshopper, to finish off the evening. It was a really fun day.

Day three in Amsterdam involved the Fun Hop-On Hop-Off Van Gogh Canal Cruise. Basically, it is what it says it is: it’s a cruise through a canal on a boat, and it stops at different places and you can hop off (and then hop on) whenever and wherever you want, depending on what you want to see. The Van Gogh part just means that we got our tickets to the Van Gogh museum included in the price. So, obviously, we went to the Van Gogh museum, which was pretty sweet. We also went to the Anne Frank house – informative and depressing all at the same time.

That night for dinner we went to a restaurant called Humphrey’s (named after Humphrey Bogart) – this was one of THE BEST meals I think I’ve EVER had. It was so incredibly good, I can’t even explain it. Just food making love to my mouth. Yup – that good. We spent our last evening – guess where? – in our favorite bar The Grasshopper, with lots of wine for company. It was splendid. Oh – and we had another waffle. Just had to.

POPcorn Poetry

On Thursday night my school hosted their annual Open Evening - a night when all the Year 6 students and their parents come to the school to check out the facilities, the teachers, and the content of each subject so they can make an informed decision about what school their children attend in Year 7.  Each school goes all out -- it's like this gigantic competition between schools to see who gets the most enrollments.  Everyone worked SO hard all week (not to mention the day-of, as most teachers, including myself, worked the whole day through, from 8am-9pm) to get everything ready and looking brilliant -- every room had to be spic and span, and most departments had some sort of fun, interactive activity going on (the history department, for example, had a murder mystery, "Cluedo").  The English department didn't really have a major activity like that, but rather each teacher did their own thing.  My room was the POPcorn Poetry room.  I had two helper students for the evening; Jake, who manned the popcorn table, and Sam, who tried her hardest to convince the Year sixes to write a poem about popcorn (believe it or not, the popcorn was more popular than the poetry).  They were great, though, and my room was definitely a favourite, as people could smell the popcorn from the other side of the school and were "following their noses" to find the source.  All in all it was a good, although very tiring, evening.

Bright and Sunny Days

This past weekend my local friend Davinia (who teaches geography at Holmesdale) took Sabrina and I on a day trip to Brighton.  Brighton is located on the south coast of England -- it's the most southern you can go before you end up in France.  And you know what this means -- BEACH!  Although this isn't exactly the best time of year to visit a beach, we did have a beautiful sunny day, and it was certainly nice to look at.  The beach is very pretty, although it's not sand, but rather stones -- not as pleasant for the bare feet I'm sure.   

There is this massive pier that you can walk down, which hosts carnival-like activities, featuring a funfare, rides, restaurants, and arcade halls.  I childlishly, and without shame, suggested that we ride the carousel -- so much fun (although taking pictures while you're moving up and down, trying to balance yourself on a deceptively slippery surface, actually proved to be quite a difficult task).  Sabrina and I had so much fun on it that we decided to ride the Crazy Mouse rollercoaster as well.  It was definitely fun to enjoy some rides.

After we spent probably far too much time on the pier, we decided to have some lunch at the fish and chips restaurant on the way back into town.  This was my first fish and chips meal, and it did not disappoint!  I have never actually eaten cod before, but I was very impressed.  It was scrumptious - and the chips were REAL potatoes, which made the meal that much better.  Also, as I was scanning the menu, I noticed a little something I've always wanted to experience: spotted dick.  I have wanted to know about/try spotted dick since I was like thirteen and watched King Ralph.  So I insisted that we get an order of spotted dick for dessert.  I have to admit, I was a little disappointed - it didn't look at all like a...well, you know.  It wasn't bad tasting - there was a strong cinnamon taste.  It isn't something I would order all the time though.

After lunch we decided to do some shopping -- let me just say that I really want to make it back to Brighton sometime soon, just so that I can do some more SHOPPING!  There were sooooooooo many stores!  It is just street beyond street of shopping - a little overwhelming, believe it or not.  And the stores were very unique as well; like, cool stuff I haven't seen anywhere else.  It was lots of fun -- and I even got some Christmas shopping done!

So after this very long day in the bright sunshine, and with our arms full of shopping bags, we had to make our way back to the car.  Oh - did I mention that all this beach and shopping is at the bottom of an absolutely MASSIVE hill?!  Well.  It is.  And I thought I was going to die.  Not just a little hill, either.  It was like walking on an eliptical machine for a half an hour, carrying like twenty pounds of stuff.  Need I say more?

Other than the heart-attack of a walk back to the car, though, I had a wonderful day in Brighton and cannot wait to go back!

(e)X(citing) Factor

One of the things I look forward to the most here in England – lame as it sounds – is watching X Factor. This show freaking rocks. And the talent is incredible – SO much better than American and Canadian Idol in my opinion. I was so excited for Boot Camp this weekend, where the judges will pick the Top 25. Before the results, here’s my faves so far (lets see how many of my picks make it):

• Danyl Johnson: Three words: OH-MY-GOD. This guy has it all and then some! He is a teacher, for one, which scores him crazy-points. On top of that he is super cute, has awesome stage-presence, a great personality, and MAN – can he sing?! Simon actually told him he had the best first audition he had ever heard. That says something.
• Miss Frank: This group of three ladies were originally soloists and were cut, but were told by the judges that if they went in as a group they could move on. I really like them together.
• Jamie Archer: Also known as Big-Hair-Dude (or Jamie Afro). This 34-year-old wowed me with his version of Kings of Leon’s “Sex is on Fire.” Very good performer; great stage presence. I just hope he can sing ballads too.
• Lucy Jones: This 18 year old beauty can sing Whitney, Mariah, and Christina unlike anyone I’ve ever heard (apart from the singers themselves obviously). I’m just waiting for Celine.
• Nicole Lawrence: After her dad passed away, this 30-some-odd year old lounge singer is determined to go further. Simon isn’t a huge fan yet, but her rendition of “I’m Not Goin” gave me goosebumps.
• Daniel Pearce: Daniel is one of the winners of the show Popstars: The Rivals – I was a bit turned off by that at first, but then I heard him sing. Great voice. Great face, too.
• Olly Murs: Love love love him! Sooooo freaking cute, and SUCH a good singer. Very charismatic…and I love his hats!

Ok -- lets watch the results!    ............*watching*............

I am awesome.  Truly.  All of my faves are in the Top 25!  I simply cannot wait for this show to really begin!

Key...Lime Pie?

For the past few days I have been trying really hard to wrap my head around England's education system, but it is a very challenging task.  The problem is with assessment -- it is TOTALLY different here than it is in Canada.  Here's a basic outline:

Years 7, 8, and 9 are grouped into what is called Key Stage 3.  They are assessed using a number system (kind of like our Levels 1-4 at home), but a little more complicated than that.  Level 3c is the lowest level, and level 7a is the highest -- "a" is bacially "+", and "c" is like "-".  So if a student got a 5a that's about a C+ at home.  Likewise, if a student got a 7c that would be like an A-.  So basically there are just a few more levels than what we have...for THIS stage. 

Years 10 and 11 are Key Stage 4, and these students are preparing for their GCSE exams.  They are assessed using a letter-grading system: A, B, C, D, E, F (oh - it doesn't stop here), G, and U (meaning Ungradeable).  So, a grade of F is NOT a failing grade like I'm used to, which is a little strange. 

So that's the grading system, but that isn't even half of it.  First of all, students never fail here -- they cannot be held back EVER - so even if they produce absolutely nothing all year, they will still progress to the next grade.  Seems a little strange, no?  Also, students are only marked on two things: their "Coursework" (which is a [one] Speaking and Listening activity and an [one] essay, a Reading and Writing activity, AND their final test of the term).  Each of these things (the Coursework and the Test - or "Assessment") take place in the final two weeks of each term.  So NOTHING that the students do during the class over the first four weeks of the term count towards their grade (which might explain why they are so unmotivated to do their work and why homework never gets done and why they don't pay attention in class, etc).  I look at the work that they produce in class and formatively assess it for their benefit only - basically to say, "This is where you are now, and if you do this, you will be here." 

Another thing: students do not get to choose what strand they take in each class.  In other words -- in Canada, if I am amazing at science, I can choose to take Academic or University science classes.  Similarly, if I am horrible at English I can take Applied or College English classes so they aren't as difficult.  Here, however, students are placed in a strand based on the combined results of their grades per year.  SO - if a student does really well in English but not so well in Maths and Science (the only three subjects that determine the strand), the school averages out their marks and places them in the same strand for all three.  So essentially a student could be in a strand way below their ability level in one subject and way above their ability level in another.  Kind of silly if you ask me.  The strands are as follows: Upper Strands are E, J, and K; Middle Strands are L, M, and N; and the Lower Strand is P.  This kind of levelling also kind of promotes segregation as well as low self-esteem, as the students in the middle and lower strands consider themselves to be "stupid."  It's quite sad, actually, and a difficult job for the teachers to prove the students otherwise.

Also, when students are 8 years old, they take this massive exam (kind of like an IQ test) called The Fisher Family Trust, and it takes all the figures and comes up with what grades these students should get on their GCSE exam (which doesn't happen until Year 11)!  So, when a child is 8, their GCSE exam results, eight years in the future, are already decided for them.  And basically all these grades are put into a big "grade bank" - and if a secondary school's GCSE results don't match up to what The Fisher Family Trust predicted eight years in the past, they are in BIG TROUBLE.
So this is it - at least what I can understand (and semi-decently explain) up to this point.  Confused yet?  So am I.

Throwing Chairs

So I survived my first week of teaching...

Teaching in Canada didn't really prepare me for the Children of England (this COULD be the title of a new horror film; one where students of different shapes and sizes viciously attack their teachers in various ways, all for their mere pleasure -- seriously consider this Darryl).

I'm teaching at a community school called Holmesdale Technology College - it is actually a nice school to look at -- two years new with all the technology a student or teacher alike could ask for. But don't let the pretty exterior fool you into thinking the students are equally as lovely. I really don't think they have EVER been told to put up their hand before they speak. I'm talking 25 kids yelling over one another at the exact same time, all while you are trying to ask them to be quiet, yet failing because, with all of their own self-generated noise, they can't hear you. Thus, the yelling begins. And it (the yelling) basically consumes you for three one-hundred-minute classes a day. After Monday I really didn't think I would have a voice come Friday. Lucky for me, I do.

Now let me discuss the ATTITUDES of (most of) these children. Three letters should do it: B-A-D.  I mean, they really have absolutely NO desire to learn. Reading this you might say to me, "Sarah, the students don't want to learn where I teach either." Believe me, your students-who-don't-want-to-learn are little learning angels compared to mine. It's like, when I ask them to write something down, I might as well have suggested they lock themselves in a room full of garbage (sorry students, "rubbish"), and spend an entire week sorting through it to find a very small dictionary which they will then have to copy out from front to back. They are DISGUSTED with me for even SUGGESTING that they pick up a pen -- that is, if they brought a pen at all. Oh yes, I am lucky if my students bring supplies with them. In fact, every teacher has to keep their student's workbooks in the classroom, because if we don't, they will be lost within the first week.

Behaviours are also quite crazy. Back-talking, refusal to do work/be quiet, flat-out SCREAMING and swearing at other students in the class who they may not - scratch that - DEFINITELY DO NOT like...the list goes on and on. AND THEN, when I give out detentions, basically one of two things happen:

1) the student argues with me about it until I end up extending their detention time (when they...)

2) walk out, usually cursing along the way

THEN - my experiences of the actual detentions themselves (if the student shows up) consist of students lying on their stomachs sliding themselves around all the desks in the room, or flat-out telling me they wish they could throw a chair at me. Like I said: lovely, right?

Don't get me wrong though - a lot of the students ARE quite nice and likeable. We laugh and learn and genuinely have a good time. So it's not all bad. Except that there is a handlful of these other students who ruin it for everyone -- not just me, but the students who actually don't mind being told to write something down.

The plus side is that I have a very supportive English and Performing Arts department who definitely help me along the way, and who have given me lots of suggestions about how to deal with these things. I probably would have cried every day if it wasn't for them.

So - that was it. My first week of teaching in England. I was so tired after every day that I could barely keep my eyes open past 9pm. BUT, on the bright side, I am learning how to deal with these behaviours, and like my parents said to me, "You'll be able to teach anyone after this." Very true, and so I am happy for this learning experience, even if it does mean I'm going to need an endless supply of honey-tea so I can actually talk to my friends and family when I come home at Christmas. Hahahaha -- what can I do but laugh?

A Little Drink, a Little Moo

So Sabrina and Cara and I were taken out on Saturday night by our friend Britny - a girl who works for TimePlan and who actually had my job last year (and, funny enough, used to live in Sabrina's current room). She's great, and when I told her we were thinking of having a movie night in, she said: "well that honestly doesn't sound like much fun." HAH - at least she's honest! So after she twisted our arms, we took a taxi to her house, had some wine (yes, I drank wine!), and went down to a bar called MuMu's. It's right around the corner from my house (which could potentially be a bad thing...) and is honestly the coolest bar I have ever been to! It has a very burlesque atmosphere - it's decorated with chandeliers and what I would call "royalty chairs" and these very bizarre pictures. All I wanted to do was take pictures of everything!
The dance floor was also awesome - flashing lights everywhere, great mixed music - and ladies -- the guys here DANCE! And I'm not talking grind-up-on-you, grab-your-body-parts, try-to- stick-their-tongue-in-your-mouth dance. I'm talking actual full-out DANCE. Dance-better-than-we-ladies-dance dance. It was incredible to see!
So after a great night of drinking and DANCING (there was also plenty of room on the dance floor, by the way - none of this I-can't-move...I-feel-claustrophobic crap we get at home), we walked down to the Express Taxi place, where basically you just get in line and wait for a cab to come around the corner to pick you up - no calling a cab and getting a busy signal and walking the entire way home crying because your feet are bleeding in your new shoes which you thought you loved but have very quickly grown to hate. Fab-u-lous.

We went to bed at 4am, after eating some nachos with salso, and I slept soundly, dreaming burlesquenificent dreams ;)

Moo