First week - success!

Happy Sunday to everyone!

Yes, I am still alive and well. This weekend I caught up on some serious missed sleep, so I apologize for not updating sooner. To make up for my slack, I'll make this post extra long. Haha! Last week was quite the week for me and for the most part, I am proud. There are some little things I need to work on

- for some reason I have slipped into the habit of saying "you know" and it's REALLY annoying because if the students "know" then why am I telling them?? -

but if I'm aware of these things, I have begun the process of fixing them. I hope that makes sense.

I have five classes, all freshman English. There are about 20-22 students in each class, and that is VERY nice. I have to keep my mouth shut about that though, since most of the other teachers have ridiculously over-crowded classes. My roommate, Lindsey, who is teaching the new digital photography course at the school, ran into a lot of issues last week because they did not put a cap on her classes. One is up to 46 students!!!!!!!!!!! The room comfortably seats 25. Could you just imagine?? Hopefully the school gets on that this week or else she might quit...

Last week I met Antonio, the custodian who takes care of my room. Here is a note he left me (it says "Ms. Kacen" because my name was written on the board... in cursive) :

I gave him my copy.

Since it was the first week, I tried to establish a community with my students and help them understand the importance of respect in the classroom. I stressed respect not only for me, but for themselves and their classmates. One activity we did to help understand our commonalities and differences was write secrets on cards. (If you're familiar with PostSecret, it's pretty much that but a more appropriate version for school.) I was the only one who would know the secret (legal reasons) unless they decided to share it with someone else. Some of the kids were really deep and posted some incredible things. Some wrote hilarious things. I was so happy with the results. Here is the wall of five classes worth of secrets and a couple of my favorites:
This week, we'll be getting more into the curriculum since we can pick-up our books Wednesday. I hope that they install my LCD projector and fix my connection to the internet since I like using other forms of media. There is a "Back to School" parents' night on Wednesday that I'm scared about. I hope they don't look at me and think I'm too young...

On another note, check out what I found on my apartment door on Thursday afternoon:
Cryptic, no? I was puzzled by the lack of information on the slip - time, date, who it was even for - but what really got me was what it meant by "balcony." Slip in hand, I closed the door and thought, "Could he have put it on our balcony?" Sure enough, I cross the living room to look at our balcony and there is a package on the ground.

THE UPS PERSON TOSSED IT UP THERE!!

It was for me, and the contents were not damaged, but is this typical procedure for delivery?? What if we had a plant or a lamp or something else breakable on our porch?? From below, you cannot see these things because there are cement walls. We have a brand new gas grill on the porch that could have been dented if the package was heavier. I'm glad I received my package but man, things sure are different here.

Speaking of differences, I have begun to compile a list. The first item is the east coast version, followed by it's west coast counterpart. They are the same company!!!

Eddy's Ice Cream = Dreyer's Ice Cream
Hellmann's mayonnaise = Best Food's mayonnaise
Safeway food stores = Von's food stores
Hardee's = Carl's Jr.

I have also discovered random words that have different meanings here. The first is what they say here, followed by what it means to us (east coast people).

quads = ATV (all terrain vehicle)
hot cheetos = the new spicy flavored Cheeto's
rad = cool (haha we knew this!!)

I'm sure there are a bunch more, but this is all I can remember. I'll update as I find them. I must close for now to work on some lessons. Hope everyone is well!

- Carol


P.S. Yesterday while I was going through a box of papers, I found a folder Ellen had secretly slipped in. She made me a great drawing of Turkey. I am going to find a frame for it today. Thanks Ellen!!!!! :)