Twilight Zone

Last week was crazy.  It has been cold the entire week.  And not only was the weather off, but so were the kids...straight Twilight Zone all week.

Sunday - The children found new energy.  They were all over the place.  But, my motto is, "If you can't beat them, join them."  I let them jump up and down and run all over the room, threw in a few educational songs and called it a lesson.  They're 4,5, and possibly 6 years old (birthdays aren't celebrating much so I am not sure that me nor them actually know their ages).

Monday - It rained soooo hard.  In the dessert, rain means citywide shut down.  Schools in Madinat Zayed where I live released the children before the day even started.  They put them right back on the bus.  However, not only did I drive an hour in the pouring rain, but my principal also did not get the close school and send kids home memo.  Additionally, whereas most classes had 5 or 6 children, I had 16 to show up.  I swear my kids will swim to school if they had to.  I average 21 kids per day.  I have 23 on my roster.  Other classes might have 23 on the roster, but only see about 15-18 of them per day.  My children must really love my coteacher.  Geesh.

Tuesday -  The only thing I remember about this day is how the children behaved...HORRIBLY.  I really have to find some new behavior management strategies for pre-k students.  That color chart only works for so long.  The only thing that calmed them down were the pineapples we ate to celebrate the letter P and Dora and Mickey Mouse stickers.  (Sidenote - If anyone from the states wants to send me a care package, please include some Dollar Tree stickers.  These kids love stickers for some reason)

Wednesday - Another rough day with the kids.  Next week I will stop letting them win InshaAllah.  "I am the adult."  At least that is what everyone claims.  But anyway, Wednesday night is line dancing night.  It is a night in which some of the ladies out here meet up, fellowship over food and beverage, and learn new line dances.  I can do everything but the line dancing part.  They are working on something called "Bring in the Cats" which is some Baltimore dance.  Way too many moves for my two left feet.  But I have fun watching and yelling out some of the moves.  See, I may not be able to display the moves, but they are all in my head.

Thursday - The kids wore their own clothes to school rather than the uniform as a part of the "All About Me" unit.  It was kinda funny to see them in jeans and t-shirts like the kids back home.  Normally if they are not in uniform, they are in traditional garb.  We had an impromptu field trip to the park.  It is my philosophy that children at this age should only learn through exploration and play.  I can sit in the classroom and teach them all day, but true assessment data comes from when they play.  At the playground, they showed me every shape and color they know without me asking.  When they wanted me to do something, they formulated sentences or phrases in English.  Quiet as kept, in the classroom our center time is mostly play (whiteboards, play dough, sorting, blocks, painting, etc.)  It is amazing what kids will show you through playing.  The park was fun.  I vote that we have more days at the park but no one asked for my vote.

On the way out of school, we were handed new schedules.  It is February and they are changing the children's schedule.  If you have or have ever come into contact with a small child, you know that the one thing they need is structure.  This is the third schedule change we have had since I started at this school.  It makes no sense.  Consistency is the key to success with little ones and people like me.  The good thing is that I have a defiant coteacher that is willing to go against the grain for the benefit of the children just like me.  I am sure we will find a way to keep our same schedule until scheduled observation days.  *shrugs* I see no valid reason to disrupt the structure in my classroom.  We have enough struggles (i.e. sitting still for more than 2 minutes) without creating a new one.

After school was a relief.  Although we ended on a good note, this was not a good week.  The kids wore me out.  I have never been so happy to see the weekend.  Thursday, I did nothing but stay in the villas and watch TV.  It takes a lot for me to want to stay out here in the dessert on the weekend, so you know those kids must have had my mind gone.

Friday - We played our first kickball game.  We lost.  We looked nothing like we look in practice out there.  End of story.

Someone saw my kickball name and told me I was such a Georgia girl.  Best compliment ever!  Hardly home but always reppin.  I loooove my state.  Sidenote: How bout those Hawks?

Dear same friend that will put stickers in a care package, can I also get some baby blue socks (preferably Nike Elite) and some new black tights.  I'll handle the shoes.  Why not go for most fashionable player?

After kickball, we went to eat and then attended a Glow party at Aloft Hotel.  DJ Allad played everything from "Tootsie Roll" to "Im in Love with the CoCo."  Fun Times!

This is the only pic of me I liked from the party.  I have some ab work to do.  But don't worry, a guy named BJ runs our dessert bootcamps, is our kickball coach, and is going to have me right really soon.

Saturday - I went to the dentist for the first time since I have been here.  He told me he knew I had orthodontic work but it didn't quite work in the front.  He was referring to my crooked tooth that shifted as a result of me NOT wearing my retainer.  Geesh, don't hold back Doc.  LOL.  Despite his bluntness, I like the dentist and my experience wasn't bad.  People are often weary about going to doctors in other countries, but half of my doctors in the US were from other countries.  So far, I am in safe hands with the doctors I have seen here.  Thinking about going to see the orthodontist about my crooked tooth as well, not because the dentist pointed it out, but because orthodontics is cheaper here so it might be worth it to fix my tooth.  I might only need a retainer to do so.

Travel Updates: I never made it to Qatar and now my cousin is leaving me in the dessert to return home.  However, I have a friend that just started teaching in Qatar, so the trip is still on the list.  Other possible trips include Bali for spring break and Morocco right before I come to the US for the summer.  I'm excited.  I better start planning.

I am back to the wild wild west now.  A new week starts tomorrow.  Let's see what's in store.