School days

I survived my first week of school...and it was totally different than what happens in the states! Here there is no real set schedule, and things happen at their own pace. So, if a teacher isn't ready, no problem! If your class isn't set up....No problem!!! If you don't know how to read Arabic and hence don't know any of the students' names, no problem...If you don't have any supplies (pencils, paper, posters, scissors, ect), no problem.They say here...shway shway! Which means....whatever, no worries, one step at a time! They say this a little too often.

The first day was interesting. Many mothers(along with their nannies and other children) brought in their 1st grade child, then proceed to stay in class all day and chat with one another and talk on their cellphones. Arabic teachers would interrupt the class to tell me to come to the supply room and "leave kids, fine, fine". Random bells would rings constantly warning the women that a man has entered the building, allowing them to cover their face in time. This is very confusing when there is no schedule because everytime the bell would ring, you would see all 3 of us first grade LT's pop our head out the door to see if it was time for the next period. People (sometimes cleaning ladies, sometimes the secretary, sometimes parents, maybe the security guard) randomly show up at your class to take attendance. I have had over 20 students add and drop from my class this week.   Also, this entire week release time was different. Sunday we were to leave at 11:30, with Monday at 11:40, Tuesday 12:15, Wednesday 12:50, and Thursday 12:30. It can be so confusing! The other major difference is the independence of students. During lunch and recess there is no supervision!!! 1st-3rd (about 450 students) are free to roam!!!

The boys wear white kandooras and are quick to laugh, EXTREMELY high-energy and very physical. Every corner of the school is found with boys climbing shelves, clobbering friends, and pushing/shoving their way through the hallways.  Before, during, and after school I find lots of boys playing soccer, barefooted, in the open-aired cobblestoned courtyard.

The language barrier does prove to have its challenges but that alone comes with its rewards. As I learn new words and use them with the English words the kids are amazed that I would even know it! I have found a couple little darlings that are willing to help me say it in Arabic and even act as my interpreter! Words I tend to use frequently are usually the following....humum=toilet my=drink khallas=done-finished no =la yes =aiwa backpack=shanta sit down=edgalisee And there are many more but I will try not to fry your brain as well....My students are much better at learning a new language then I am..I'm so proud of everything they have already learned to say this week.

Gonna be a challenging but great year, with lots of surprises!

To be an elementary-school student here means ...
* homework is completed by your nanny.
* "workbook and pencil"are non-existent 
*free time" when teacher is absent or out of the room (no substitutes).
*Whatever room looks/sounds interesting, is the one that you pop into, at any given time .
*you come to school, leave school at any given time
*you only need to listen to the teacher or rules if you want to today.  They are OPTIONAL. 
*you only know the word "No"  ("la" in Arabic) if it's something you don't want to do.  Here, discipline sounds like a Christmas carol (la la lalalala.  30 students, 30 la's).

To be an LT here (expat TEACHER) means:
* sign in/out through fingerprint authentication.
*your creativity soars bc there are NO resources!!!
*you've become an actor bc of language barrier!!
*you don't get comfortable. you can be moved to a different school, grade, region, placement at ANY given time, without ANY prior warning.
*your Lesson plans are created according to your momentary student behavior.
*Grades? What is that?
*Computer? Internet? Huh?!
*"Do we have pullouts today?" ... "Enshallah" : maybe, maybe not
*"If you have BROWN hair & brown eyes, come to circle time ... WELL, OK, looks like we've got everybody.   
*You need to learn 2 names...Mohamed/ Mohammed/Mohamad/ Mohammadd/ Hamad and Abdulla/ Abdula/ Abdullah/ Abdllha/Abdu
*You come at 700am(when the students arrive) and you leave at dismissal with the students. If you don't get your work done at break...you don't get it done!