Back to School--German style

Yesterday was the first day of school for German children. I am working at an international school, so our schedule is different than the typical German school schedule and more like the schedule I experienced in the U.S. School began Aug. 24th and the last day is June 25th.

I could tell something was going on because on the typically empty streets that I walk on my way to work, I saw several families and children carrying enormous cones. I was a bit confused, but found out that they are a special German tradition for children on the first day of school.

I found out that these cones are called Schultütes which means school cones. They are traditionally given by parents or grandparents to students in Germany on their first day of school. These cones are filled with all sorts of treats, yummy sweets and school supplies.

Click *here* or *here* for some easy to follow directions for making your own!

I saw some pretty interesting designs on my way to work yesterday. These are typically hand made for children and are decorated according to what they like. I saw one with dolphins on it, cutout letters spelling the child's name, and various other decorations. I can only imagine how exciting it is to open a Schultüte on the first day of school knowing it was made especially for you! Children then proudly carry their Schultütes with them to school (and surely show them off to their friends).

Even though I don't have kids yet, this might be a fun tradition to start to honor our time in Germany. It could also be a fun first day of school activity. I can imagine having the kids make and decorate their own and then placing some fun treats or school supplies inside when they are at lunch so they could return to find some surprises!

Job Update

I heard from one of the 3rd grade teachers who I currently assist that the principal spoke to her about the options for a new TA....

Which would indicate to me that I possibly will be hired for the SPED position!

She also said that right now I am the only qualified applicant, so things are looking good. The application deadline is next Tuesday, but I have a feeling it is going to work in my favor.

The principal of the elementary school also spoke with me about it today in the hallway and sort of seemed apologetic that they did not even interview me for the first grade maternity leave opening, but like I said before, I just kind of feel like the way that it's working out is the way it's meant to be.

I am already brainstorming ideas of how to help these students that are needing extra support, even though I don't know the kids/ages/subjects yet. I think I am just trying to feel prepared to work with high schoolers! Yikes :0)

I am anxious to get our shipment which includes all of my teaching resource books and some teaching materials so that I can be ready.

Ok, I am acting like I already got the job and I haven't yet, so that is enough!

I went shopping today for my Back to School supplies to be ready for my fall term grad courses. The stuff I got is so funny to me. The planner is in German and has an Ice Age theme (like the kids' movie), but pretty easy to figure out. I need something to get myself organized not only for my assignments but for many appointments for our new apartment like the washer/dryer delivery, the installation of the lights, the IKEA delivery, and the internet installation.

Still keeping the fingers crossed and hoping for some definite news soon!

Sometimes Apologies are not Enough

Anyone else appalled/disgusted/shocked by Kanye's stunt at the VMA's on Sunday night? If you haven't heard about it, when Taylor Swift was called on stage to accept the award for Best Female video (or something like that), Kanye stormed the stage, grabbed the mic, and proceeded to proclaim that Beyonce should have won because her video is one of the best of all time. Poor Taylor stood there quietly shocked and lost her chance to say her speech because time ran out.

I just have to say that I am SO sick of celebrities who behave poorly with no regard for the consequences and then issue an apology written by their publicist and think that all is good. Did Kayne apolpogize? Yes, he did. Does that change the fact that he ruined Taylor's big moment and she can never ever get it back? No, it does not. What he did was rude, uncalled for, unacceptable. Why he was not stopped, excorted off stage, and removed from the event, I have no idea!

I read that perhaps this was staged in order to give a little bit of wow factor to the VMA's this year. What do you think? I would not put it past MTV, however I don't really see the point in staging something like that. Britney Spears tearing off her tuxedo suit to reveal a nude sparkly outfit....sure, but playing an egptistical man against a young, innocent country singer seems like a lame way to add some sizzle to the event. Sure, Taylor ended up getting a lot of attention for it, but most people were thinking "poor Taylor" rather than "yea her video was great."

Based on what I read, Taylor was spotted sobbing back stage, which she probably would not have done had she known Kayne was going to do that. If they planned it without letting her know, that still would have been really cruel. I think what happened is that Kanye is an a@s with a self centered approach to life that makes him feel like he can do whatever he wants because of his fame and money. It makes me sad that often celebrity status brings with it such a propensity for self indulgence and self centeredness. I do not think that his apology is enough. Yes, it is important to say you are sorry and acknowledge poor behavior, but when behavior is as rude and deplorable as Kanye's, the apology does nothing to make up for what actually took place.

There are many ways that people can respectfully express themselves and their opinions such as blogs, interviews, talk shows etc. The way he chose to share his opinion was just wrong.

Friend Making Monday

I have not participated in a Friend Makin' Monday in awhile, but this week's topic of Fall Shows at Amber's blog caught my attention! Because of my husband's wonderful talents and tech savvyness, we are able to watch all of our favorite U.S. shows here in Germany with the help of a Tivo stationed at his parents house in California and a Slingbox which allows us to stream the shows from the Tivo to our computers. He also has a Sling Catcher which will allow us to stream the shows to our television once we purchase one. We end up watching the shows the day after they air in California, but I am okay with that because I have a lot of free time in the afternoon once I am done working.

Anyway...onto my favorite shows....

There are lots, so I am just going to list them:

1. The Biggest Loser!!!

2. Grey's Anatomy

3. Desperate Housewives

4. Top Chef

5. Project Runway

6. Nip/Tuck (guilty pleasure)

7. America's Next Top Model

8. Gossip Girl

9.90210

10. Melrose Place

Mostly I am super pumped for the new season of The Biggest Loser. It is my favorite show and I get so attached to the contestants. Towards the end, I cry during every episode, especially the makeover show.

If you are visiting my blog for the first time, leave a note to say hello!

On the Job Front

The director of the school pulled me out of class this morning to inform me that they did not select me for the first grade maternity leave position. He said they interviewed someone on Friday and offered that person the job. I had my suspicions that the person who had previously done a maternity leave assignment would be the front runner for this position based on her history with the school and I think I was right. I do think it is a bit unfair to only interview one candidate, but it is what it is. Sometimes formalities need to take place when there is really a plan already in place.

He did share with me that they have a Special Needs position available, which I already knew but had not applied for yet because I was waiting to see what would happen with the first grade position before doing so. After talking with him, I did get a sense that perhaps there was a little strategizing on their part to get me to apply for the Special Needs position because, let's face it, special education is not as desirable for most teachers as a position in general education is and they are actually pretty lucky to have someone at their fingertips who is qualified and skilled for that type of work. Had they selected me for the first grade post, they may not have had any applicants for the SPED post which they want to fill soon for a mid October start date.

Although I am sure I would have really liked teaching first grade again, I am excited about the prospect of the Special Needs position and I really hope they select me for it. I would never have the chance to work with older students in the U.S. because my certification is only for elementary and the rules are strict and enforced now so teachers are highly qualified for any specialty area they are teaching. For some reason I feel like I am in the middle of things working out the way they are supposed to and falling into place according to some bigger plan. I submitted my cover letter and resume before leaving work today and I am hoping to hear from the director soon either asking for an interview or to hire me (just dreaming!).

Fingers crossed!

The Glory of Books

I think I have mentioned in the past that I have an obsession with books, especially crisp, new books with smooth, uncreased spines. When it's time for me to hit up the bookstore to get textbooks for a new term, I am always excited to get my hands on some great, intellectually stimulating reading materials. Living in Germany makes it a little more difficult to saunter into the bookstore at Portland State and select my books, so I have been placing numerous orders from amazon.com, borders.com, and half.com in order to get all the books I need. I began by having the books shipped directly to me in Germany, but discovered that they are going to take a long time to get here, even with expedited international shipping.

My next idea actually came from my husband whose colleague will be traveling to Portland in a few weeks and returning right before my classes start. I was able to order some more of the books I need and have them shipped to the office in Portland where he used to work. His friend is going to receive them and pass them to his colleague so that he can bring them back on the plane. This way, I was able to take advantage of some shipping deals. I am trying out Amazon Prime for three months (for free). If I cancel before the three months is up, I will avoid paying the $79.00 fee. In the meantime, I can take advantage of free upgraded two day shipping. I have a feeling I may be ordering lots of books in the not so distant future, so I might as well take advantage of this offer.

My teacher still has not posted the texts for one class, but so far I have quite a few textbooks coming. I have not yet finalized my course selections for Fall term, but these are the options:

• Global Literature (completely online course). I will need access to lots of children's books in addition to the class "text," but I got an advanced copy of the reading list from the teacher and fortunately, the library at my school has many of the options, so I don't have to buy them all. Woo hoo! I am also thinking of posting the weekly book lists like I did below with my textbooks so you all can see some of these great "global" options.
• Multicultural & Urban Education
• Issues in Education
• Leadership Seminar (which is a requirement for the doctoral program and I may be Skyping into parts of this on the weekends)
• Multiple Ways of Knowing Your Learners (also an online course). This course is part of a 5 course certification series for differentiated instruction. I am still debating if I should take this course now or wait until next year to begin this series. Only one class is offered per term, so I have to take them across a whole school year.

Here are some of the textbooks that my teachers selected. I sure hope they are good because I certainly spent a lot of money on them!

If I take all of these courese, that is 16 credits, which I mentioned in a past post might be borderline crazy considering I am applying for different positions at my school which would increase my hours. I am optimistic and hopeful that I can pull it off, but I may end up dropping that one differentiated instruction course and saving it for next year. Even though I already ordered the books, I am sure the textbooks will be the same next year so I can just hold onto them for later use.

I am really excited to get started on the classes because I can't believe after all my organizing, list making, emailing, planning, and hoping that I am actually really beginning my doctoral work. I have no idea how long the whole process will take, but I know that if I start it, I will finish it and it is really exciting to think about the possibilities that the future holds!