step into my classroom: life science

In my life science class we've been learning about genetics and last week we built DNA molecules using gummy bears and licorice whips. The lesson idea I used came from a teacher in the states (http://www.middleschoolscience.com/) and said to use mini colored marshmallows and Twizzlers licorice, but unfortunately those luxuries aren't available in Germany. So, I spent an hour one night sorting 2 kilos of gummy bears for the students to have four colors, which represented the four bases. Here are some shots of my budding geneticists!

happenings

Today was a spirit day in the middle school. Unfortunately, student participation was about 5%. So, I have no pictures of the students, just this wicked staff pic. The theme was fear. Susan is the man who runs the recyclinghof, I am a dentist, and Joy is Natasha, the KGB agent. No, I don't personally fear dentists, but I AM paralyzed with fear at the thought of ever breaking my teeth, so I borrowed a lab coat from the high school science department and whipped out my mask from swine flu week. Instant dentist.



Last week we got dumped with a bunch of snow (which has since melted away) that made the view from my classroom go from dead brown winter trees to sparkly frosted winter trees. Also, someone got creative with the shovel and left some "graffiti" on Ken's Court. I love snow but I hate being cold!!

monday recital

Every Monday after school there is a small music recital put on by student taking music lessons at BFA. Last semester I always found myself super busy on Monday afternoons but this semester I'm a bit more on top of my game and have been able to make the time to attend the recitals. Last week my fellow middle school teacher, Brian Post, gave a guitar recital. This week, several piano students played, as well as a guitarist and the orchestra, which is now up to seven students!! Four of my students were scheduled to play, but only three showed up. Regardless, it was fun to see my students excel in other areas outside the classroom and I look forward to more recitals this semester.

visit from a friend

This weekend I was able to meet up with Lindie (Jensen) Patterson while she and her husband Adam travel through Germany and Switzerland. Adam works with Compassion International and was doing some short-term work in the Marburg office. Now that he's done, Lindie has joined him for some vacation time. Before they came, Lindie picked up some goodies for me at every good WCC girl's favorite place, Wal-Mart! They brought me all my favorites: new t-shirts, Good Earth tea, and flavored coffee creamer, which is non-existant here in Germany. Thanks you, Adam and Lindie, for being so thoughful and generous.

A few of my favorite things...

It was super fun to have real live visitors, meaning people who don't live in Germany. For once, I was the resident expert. I was the one who got to explain how to do things and share cultural tidbits about Germans and give directions for getting around town! Even though I'm still a very inexperienced German citizen, having guests made it feel like I've been here for years. So it was a good thing, because it made me feel that much more at home here in Germany. Last night we walked around town and I showed them Pennymarkt, Palm and Maug, the Marktplatz, and the Blumenplatz. Then this morning they came with me to BFCF for church and I gave them the BFA tour. It was so exciting to show someone my classroom and tell them all about what I do here. After church, they came over and we had spaghetti with Jill, Katrina, and Amanda, who had this weekend off. While we ate, they did a load of laundry since there wasn't a washer at the guest house.

Tomorrow they will leave Germany and head into Switzerland to enjoy some skiing. I'm sad that we had such a short time together but I'm so thankful for the opportunity to see Lindie, meet Adam, and share a little bit of my world with them. Who will be my next visitor? You??

step into my classroom: life science

Recently my life science class has been studying mitosis and genes. To demonstrate what they've learned, they wrote a short skit about cell division. This video was scripted, choreographed, and narrated by my 7th graders. Enjoy!

I have a handy!

Since coming to Germany, I've been stranded, lost, or separated from people about half a dozen times. Because I don't speak German or have a cell phone, finding my way usually turned into a little adventure. While I'm all for excitement, I also like to know that I have a way of getting ahold of people in emergency situations.

Now I have to admit, I've really enjoyed the freedom that comes from not being attached to a cell phone and not being reachable 24/7. At the same time, though, there have been very frustrating moments that could have easily been resolved had I been in posession of the technological marvel known as the cell phone. After doing quite a bit of traveling over break and finding creative ways of getting in touch with my friends, my rides, and other people, I realized that a handy (what Germans call their cell phones) really is, well, handy!

So this week, I got a cell phone!

Jill and I went with our German-speaking friend Katrina and bought the second-to-cheapest cell phone available at the electronic store. We opted for the self-service cell phone service. This means you buy a phone at one store, then go to another store to buy a SIM card and minutes. You assemble the whole thing and set it up online yourself. A popular place to put minutes on your phone is Pennymarkt, one of our grocery stores. So, Jill and I now have what are referred to as "Penny Phones," the equivalent of the Go Phone. No contracts, just pay for minutes as you go.

While at the electronics store, we also looked for cases for our phones. The popular thing seemed to be handy socks, or handie socken. I spotted one with the German flag on it, so Katrina, Jill, and I got matching handie socken! My phone is the red one, and it really is that small. It's the same size as a credit card (but thicker)!!

grace vs the law

Where do you draw the line between giving grace and laying down the law? I'm finding it extremely difficult to find a balance with this when dealing with my middle schoolers, and lately it seems like all I can think about. Is this one of those things I won't understand until I'm a parent?

One rule I have is no food or drink in my classroom, only water. This is a new rule since returning from Christmas break, because I spent way too much time last semester picking up food, wrappers, and other related items off the floor of my classroom at the end of each day. To make sure my students were all aware of it, I posted a bold sign on the door and announced the new rule to each class. Within hours a few boys were drinking (and spilling) Cokes in my room during another class, apparently under the delusion that my sign and announcement were simply a suggestion. Later in the week, I caught two girls chewing on lollipop sticks, clearly the remnants of candy that should not be in the room at all. On Friday, I tidied up the classroom and found three gum wrappers and crushed candy cane under the desks. Am I unreasonable to say that this behavior is unacceptable? I realize I need to pick my battles but cleanliness is a big deal in my book!

The icing on the cake was today, when I came into the classroom to find a student holding an open bag of pistachios. Said student was suspiciously quick to inform me that they weren't being eaten. So I asked why the bag was open and got a lame reply. But since I had no proof that the student was eating, I trusted (against my better judgement) the student's word and didn't pursue the matter further. Until I found two shells from the pistachios on the floor. After class, I called the student aside and again asked about the pistachios, this time showing the evidence I'd found on the floor. Caught in a lie, the student proceeded to give me two or three different responses that never even answered my question. I think what bothered me the most was that the student had no problem lying to my face, and didn't respect me enough to tell the truth, even when we both knew I already knew the truth.

What can you do when students are willfully disobedient and show no remorse?

And then there's the whole issue about having the respect of your students. I'm sure I'm making it out to be worse than it really is, but most days I feel like none of my students respect me. And it goes beyond the classroom. Hearing 8th grade girls talk about me in the hallway shouldn't bother me but the truth is, I'm human and it does hurt. I'm not here to be their friends, and so what if they don't like me. It's not cool to like teachers anyway. But if they don't respect me, then I'm in trouble.

Thoughts, anyone??