tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28065922689585627312011-10-31T18:22:08.778-07:00This blog is about my Fulbright Teacher Exchange with Miss Samantha Sheppard of Fairfield High School in Hereford, England. We are "trading high schools" from August to December of 2009. The views expressed on this blog are not representative of the United States Department of State or the Fulbright Program.Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.comBlogger1021100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-30743620392990075912009-12-28T10:14:00.001-08:002009-12-28T10:14:33.616-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-65685743451979592912009-12-22T01:04:00.003-08:002009-12-28T10:54:25.063-08:00

So, being a sucker for punishment, fighting the jet lag, I arrived at Northbridge High School bright and early for the 7:25 a.m. bell on Tuesday morning! I just couldn't stay away. Anxious to see my friends and students I was excited to walk through the doors, with Little Coffee Bean brownie toffee jumbo java in hand! (Really, I just did not feel like tackling the four month pile of mail that was

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-44763006928442832412009-12-22T01:04:00.001-08:002009-12-28T10:34:00.187-08:00

The journey home was relatively uneventful, despite snow in both Amsterdam and Boston, and numerous gate changes and delays, but we did arrive home on December 20th as arranged...our baggage, five out of six pieces, was another story; those did not arrive until Wednesday. Everything arrived in one piece - except my antique spode teacup and saucer - only the teacup survived; even the Christmas

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-52524048173015171092009-12-22T01:03:00.001-08:002009-12-28T10:14:52.633-08:00

Saturday, December 18th dawned with sunshine and crisp cold air in Peterchurch, England. Making my way from Jan and Ian's, parting with tearful goodbyes, I went to collect Micaela who had also celebrated her last evening with a group of friends. Her parting from Alex was especially poignant and found us both driving through Peterchurch, past Fairfield High School for the last time, and returning

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-91533122928674266762009-12-22T01:02:00.001-08:002009-12-28T10:55:47.560-08:00

Main Entry: 1pan·to·mimePronunciation: \ˈpan-tə-ˌmīm\Function: nounEtymology: Latin pantomimus, from pant- + mimus mimeDate: 15891 : pantomimist2 a : an ancient Roman dramatic performance featuring a solo dancer and a narrative chorus b : any of various dramatic or dancing performances in which a story is told by expressive bodily or facial movements of the performers c : a British theatrical

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-26415293643569919712009-12-17T14:38:00.000-08:002009-12-28T09:13:26.087-08:00

Tonight I attended the Fairfield Carol Service, and while Northbridge High School students are presenting their Holiday Concert, and I have often enjoyed some wonderful harmonious melodies at home to celebrate the holiday season- the Carol Service was an experience unlike anything I have ever experienced in a school setting.There is something to be said for the intertwining of school and church -

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-9792326943916289142009-12-14T14:21:00.000-08:002009-12-17T05:38:47.696-08:00

The beauty of the season is marked in Europe by the growth of wild mistletoe, holly and ivy everywhere. I have been amazed by how mistletoe grows, and even more amazed by how lovely it really is. In America, when you buy mistletoe, you purchase this tiny sprig of leaves with plastic white berries attached. I have appreciated the true beauty of the plant in its natural surroundings - and as a

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-91669983249407189802009-12-14T10:31:00.000-08:002009-12-14T11:23:10.623-08:00

It seems my last post has caused controversy in the main office with the ladies. My dislike of baked beans in tomato sauce vs Boston baked beans in molasses has surprised many of them...they have never heard of baked beans in molasses, and generally molasses itself seems to be reserved as something to be used to mix with animal feed! To my surprise, I have learned that "cooking" molasses

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-12086890758425059402009-12-13T10:04:00.001-08:002009-12-14T04:34:10.178-08:00

As I approach the final week of my exchange - I still can't believe its about to come to an end - I have been asked numerous times by my new friends and students alike, what I will miss the most about Fairfield and England, and what I am looking forward to doing/seeing the most when I return home. I suppose it is worthy of a blog post; as up to now my life has been an open book - well, almost...

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-86548866754206655622009-12-12T04:26:00.001-08:002009-12-12T04:54:54.578-08:00

Prior to departing for this exchange I had written in an earlier post, after receiving my Patriots tickets for the London game, that this exchange could only get better if I had tea with the Queen; to which Dave Provis responded that the Queen had been known to occasionally stop by Fairfield - well, yesterday, Her Majesty did indeed stop by Fairfield for tea!My Year 10 drama students, Micaela

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-31646990233527959562009-12-10T13:01:00.002-08:002009-12-13T10:19:06.698-08:00

One of the bright spots of the exchange has been discovering the remarkable British black poet, Benjamin Zephaniah. I vaguely knew a bit about this man prior to my arrival, but instructing the Year 7 students the past few weeks, and preparing them to write an essay of comparison, for his poems has truly been quite enjoyable. On any given day for the past several weeks you may have openend the

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-28811598192772689672009-12-10T13:01:00.001-08:002009-12-10T13:01:25.931-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-14351334099661420882009-12-10T13:00:00.001-08:002009-12-10T13:00:03.732-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-86743316310825183682009-12-08T12:44:00.002-08:002009-12-10T12:57:09.598-08:00

J'ai voyagé en France en Ferry, quittant Portsmouth et arrivant dans le Havre pour un beau lever de soleil. Nous avons apprécié le dîner un dîner délicieux de cari avant que nous ayons laissé le port et nous avons dormi solidement pendant que nous voyagions à travers la Manche dans le dormeur confortable assied. Mel m'a invité sur ce voyage, comme mon cadeau d'anniversaire, à rendre visite à ses

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-89171526879162976382009-12-08T12:44:00.001-08:002009-12-14T11:32:35.325-08:00

Well, for every success, there are some failures; and this exchange process has certainly proven this edict to be true. While I was quite pleased with myself for having marked (graded) all the Year 10 top set coursework essays on Great Expectations; spending hours reading, re-reading, annotating, and commenting in detail - as it turns out - not quite up to snuff! Sitting down with Melanie last

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-32627463852128099982009-12-08T12:43:00.000-08:002009-12-10T11:42:44.848-08:00

I am a bit behind in the blogging...but here goes a catch up day! Last Thursday I spent the day at Hereford Academy. Hereford is a much larger school than Fairfield, bragging a student population of over 800; so on that account it reminded me more of NHS than Fairfield does. Set in the middle of the city of Hereford, and smack in the middle of a Council Housing Estate, it also has a much

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-40750285275689306062009-12-01T09:37:00.000-08:002009-12-01T10:03:56.208-08:00

Today I had my first mince pie, a Christmas tradition here in England. Mince meat is actually a blend of dried fruits, liquor, candied peel and suet. The treats have never been something I have been eager to try, as I just didn't have a notion of what they could possibly taste like. Today at break Kath made some, which were nice and warm - she made certain that I got one. All present in the

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-70926044491037936482009-11-30T12:10:00.000-08:002009-11-30T12:43:46.793-08:00

Thanksgiving in the UK? Well, not officially. I spent the day at a professional development workshop in Hereford, which was not the most exciting way to spend the day, but at least I wasn't in a classroom! It was a pleasure, however, to engage in traditional Thanksgiving activities just the same, albeit later than usual. Many weeks ago I was fortunate to meet an American, Jack Walsh, whose

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-15818517785200828302009-11-30T10:27:00.000-08:002009-11-30T12:42:27.713-08:00

The more things change, the more they stay the same. I have experienced three different professional development opportunities...all within the last two weeks. I have determined that professional development in the UK is as exciting, useful and interesting as it is back home.First, for two hours during class time two weeks ago, I had to be trained in the health and safety laws pertaining to

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-22007938885038966442009-11-30T03:55:00.001-08:002009-11-30T03:55:07.862-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-79057893604975503482009-11-29T02:43:00.000-08:002009-11-29T13:13:06.907-08:00

Worcester, England - the twin city to Worcester, Massachusetts. Having come 3000 miles from my home, and Worcester, Mass, being the closest major city to my Northbridge home, it seemed only appropriate that I make the journey at least once to this twin city before returning home. Several ladies from Fairfield plan an annual Christmas shopping journey to Worcester each year, and I was kindly

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-56243736270470242382009-11-29T02:25:00.000-08:002009-11-29T02:38:58.163-08:00

One of the bright sides of teaching in an older building are the surprising things that can be learned about the uses of the building as the history is revealed, for example, my current classroom used to serve as the children's playroom. Another is the amazing treasures that can be discovered throughout the building. This week, as Jo Parson's was preparing to put up a new display of student work

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-19850071854743439982009-11-25T12:17:00.003-08:002009-11-29T02:43:02.586-08:00

I've never been one to be embarrassed about my age... I think teaching high school students and spending so much time involved in their activities, in and out of the classroom, along with having children of my own who are high school age or just starting college, has always kept me young in mind and spirit. I also never thought I'd ever be so far away from home celebrating a birthday. Combine my

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-21938381347988785202009-11-21T07:19:00.001-08:002009-11-21T07:19:14.889-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-76843665045238216742009-11-21T07:04:00.001-08:002009-11-21T07:04:54.911-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-10790910279662696032009-11-19T12:49:00.001-08:002009-11-21T10:38:29.258-08:00

Part of the Fulbright Experience is to share cultural traditions, in addition to educational experiences. Part of this sharing and exchange process is also meant to culminate in sharing experiences with our school communities once the partners return home. Yesterday was a hole-in-one!One of the best traditions from America, which is somewhat directly connected to our English ancestors, is the

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-30945910127974379182009-11-17T13:20:00.001-08:002009-11-19T12:25:04.062-08:00

One activity that both my colleague, Matt Reilly, and I do when teaching our sophomores at NHS about sonnets, is to write "class sonnets". Several years ago Matt introduced this idea to me and since then both of us guide our full, individual classes into creating class sonnets - usually a parody of a Shakespeare sonnet. I have started keeping a record of these sonnets and a very funny collection

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-39382762101401584712009-11-17T12:59:00.000-08:002009-11-17T13:11:20.113-08:00

Yesterday I took my small class of five Year 10 students to the nearby Peterchurch graveyard to read the first chapter of Great Expectations. It was a brilliant idea, if I do admit it. From the first time I stepped foot in this graveyard I could not help but picture a "small bundle of shivers growing afraid of it all" in the character of Pip. The whipping wind,the damp, cold air, the wet ground,

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-66591801864156168652009-11-17T12:48:00.003-08:002009-11-17T12:48:51.860-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-24105758464259930752009-11-17T12:48:00.001-08:002009-11-17T12:48:04.181-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-40384996127927904102009-11-17T12:46:00.001-08:002009-11-17T12:46:28.268-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-1531852906852408482009-11-15T14:26:00.002-08:002009-11-17T14:56:28.401-08:00

I didn't think that I could top my visit to Stratford-Upon-Avon... but my visit to the lovely city of Bath, with my department head, mentor and friend, Jayne Conway, has proven to be the highlight of my visit here to date. Trips to London aside, the female company of a fabulous woman, who enjoyed all the experiences on this trip for the first time alongside me, was great! Thank you so much Jayne

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-13876912239839054192009-11-15T14:26:00.001-08:002009-11-17T14:54:04.575-08:00

Last Thursday evening Fairfield hosted their annual "Speech Night". The easiest way for me to explain this evening is to equate it to the tradition (or what it has evolved to be in the last ten years at Northbridge) of Class Night for our graduating Seniors. Last year's Year 11 students, who left Fairfield and have since gone on to Sixth Form College, vocational training or the work force, most

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-70114866485896395762009-11-15T14:25:00.000-08:002009-11-17T12:50:31.035-08:00

Last Tuesday, November 11, the English department teachers, (sans our fearless leader, Jayne, who was off being professionally developed) took the entire Year 9 group on a field trip to the city of Birmingham. Our destination: the Alexandra Theater to see a musical version of Shakespeare's Macbeth. The Year 9 students had studied Macbeth last year, so they were somewhat familiar with the basic

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-45104026090129914032009-11-11T09:54:00.000-08:002009-11-11T10:41:56.694-08:00

Today, November 11th, is Armistice Day in the UK and Veteran's Day in the United States. Both celebrate the remembrance of the men and women who have protected the right to democracy and freedom for our countries, and in the process lost their lives or sustained life altering injuries. My first encounter with the differences on this day between the US and the UK came on the way to school today as

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-28759533945732846682009-11-11T09:12:00.000-08:002009-11-11T09:28:09.220-08:00

Teaching poetry to really young students... challenge 1million and one. You know how, as a teacher, every so often you have moments in the classroom that really stand out? The kind that if you were keeping a book of all these wonderful moments you would add it in? The kind where you say that you SHOULD be keeping a book of all these wonderful moments? Well today I did indeed have another of those

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-59627460060203584002009-11-05T11:48:00.000-08:002009-11-05T14:08:07.897-08:00

The Gunpowder Treason and plot;I know of no reason why Gunpowder Treasonshould ever be forgot.Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes'Twas his intentTo Blow up the King and the Parliament.Three score barrels of powder below.Poor Old England to overthrow.By God's providence he was catch'd,With a dark lantern and a burning match. It is the 5th of November, and from the hill there are the sights and sounds of

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-45599444073971193322009-11-03T15:20:00.000-08:002009-11-03T15:48:23.927-08:00

Those of you that know me well know that Charles Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities is one of my all-time favorite novels. I especially like the metaphor where the buzzing of the blue flies is used to compare the buzzing of the gallery when viewing trials of the 18th century at the Old Bailey. While I have not yet visited the Old Bailey or Tellson's Bank - I have met my very own "blue flies" here in

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-90696559927488263102009-11-03T15:19:00.001-08:002009-11-03T15:19:06.796-08:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-6997168547630690702009-11-03T12:13:00.000-08:002009-11-03T13:16:13.743-08:00

What is most wonderful about this entire exchange experience is the ability to "practice what we preach" as teachers - to be a lifelong learner. While I was certainly prepared for a culturally enriching experience with my journey to the home of The Bard, a.k.a. William Shakespeare, I was not prepared for how educationally rich it would also be. Micaela and I journeyed to this beautiful village

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-67651941077893788162009-11-02T14:03:00.000-08:002009-11-02T14:28:15.770-08:00

Term 2 at Fairfield High School began today, although tired and exhausted from a restless night's sleep after engaging in the epic "battle of the flies", Micaela and I made the journey to Peterchurch as if we had been doing it for years. The day began with the cheery smiles of Year 7 students who were very eager to share their exploits of their week off.My confidence was at a fever pitch with my

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-31971233676115993632009-10-28T09:03:00.001-07:002009-10-28T09:03:21.531-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-87306068928749227952009-10-28T07:24:00.001-07:002009-10-28T12:27:45.472-07:00

In addition to seeing the Pats play at Wembley on Sunday, Micaela and I had another whirlwind tour of London; but in the process it was not all that much fun - not even for me. I am wondering ... as I was told by all my friends - who understand the tumultuous relationship that defines the one I have with my daughter - that this "trip would be good for us"...when exactly is that going to be

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-69626309839470712882009-10-28T06:16:00.000-07:002009-10-28T06:57:19.184-07:00

The importance of finally posting this essay will become apparent after the next post is made. For now, suffice it to say that I am finally satisfying the numerous requests made by my students to be allowed to read it. This was my labor of love last year when my then high school seniors were busily writing their college essays. The task was to write a brief autobiographical sketch of our

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-36824341152076595152009-10-28T05:53:00.001-07:002009-10-28T05:53:45.430-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-30729028301919717142009-10-28T05:05:00.000-07:002009-10-28T05:38:32.718-07:00

Probably the best piece of the UK educational system that the US could adopt ... one week off between each new term...of course the flip side of that would mean that students and teachers would attend school until mid July, and the summer holiday would be shortened to six or seven weeks, rather than the ten weeks that is currently enjoyed. While I think I prefer an early release in the month of

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-44672646911896807012009-10-15T10:34:00.000-07:002009-10-15T13:47:07.336-07:00

... the Evaluation Cycle, that is! I came across the pond and was quite happy to know that I had reverted to Year One of the evaluation cycle. I worked on a two year project - which is still in progress - and I had my classroom observation last year! Who would have ever thought I'd arrive across the pond and have to be observed! Surely my years of experience and my selection for a Fulbright Award

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-86419577452472111622009-10-14T10:32:00.000-07:002009-10-14T10:34:11.387-07:00

The Tickets have arrived! Patriots vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers....October 25, 2009 ....Wembley Stadium! I'll be there...where will you be????

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-40075266679544486122009-10-13T12:01:00.000-07:002009-10-13T12:07:11.180-07:00

In the past few weeks Micaela and I have received care packages from home with much missed and beloved items from home. For me its been French Vanilla Folgers coffee and international delight coffee creamers, for Micaela its been Smartfood and Cheezit's! Well my friend Christina and my mom sent a few of these items to us...but today we hit the jackpot! Apparently Michael decided that he has been

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-14936267328613466022009-10-13T11:52:00.000-07:002009-10-14T10:39:35.860-07:00

So the U14 Fairfield Football girls finished their round robin tournament in Hereford on Monday this week. They were moved to the "gold" division and finished second taking home a pretty snazzy shield (aka award plaque). The girls played tough all day, keeping all their opponents scoreless... in fact, in over six matches not one team scored a goal. The ultimate final pairings were decided with

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-85216719440622897022009-10-08T15:26:00.001-07:002009-10-08T15:29:29.393-07:00

Nothing is better than using food to inspire a sensory language lesson and descriptive writing.Yesterday's treat: Sploosh & Onions! Can you believe I actually had children eat an onion like they eat an apple...oh, the red faces and the watery eyes; not to mention the prevailing scent of onions wafting through the corridor and the classroom.Sorry Matt if they came to History lesson with bad

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-19708502304803100312009-10-08T13:13:00.000-07:002009-10-08T13:13:09.268-07:00

YouTube - William Blake, "The Sick Rose"

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-37007314450457563132009-10-08T12:38:00.000-07:002009-10-08T13:06:33.863-07:00

YouTube - ABC Wide World of Sports - Opening Theme - 1977

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-43651142317499468372009-10-06T13:42:00.000-07:002009-10-09T10:43:38.362-07:00

If you're an American over 40, and an ABC network fan, you will recognise the converse to "the thrill of victory..." how many of you remember that poor skier from ABC's Wide World of Sports??? I certainly do....that poor unfortunate soul lived with the stigma of that bone crushing fall for years as he provided the clip to the narration for the popular sports show.So - ok...with every victory, one

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-74250967903977027732009-10-06T12:47:00.001-07:002009-10-06T14:09:39.204-07:00

As with any experience such as this one there are bound to be victorious moments where life is good...This past week there were several such moments...Successfully completing a full unit of study on Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck, with the first group of Year 11 students to pass through my British classroom, was one of those moments. Albeit a relatively "short" unit of study, when compared to

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-9530456553173596002009-10-06T12:38:00.001-07:002009-10-06T12:38:58.441-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-84832616710378455332009-10-06T11:06:00.001-07:002009-10-06T11:06:31.871-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-61988622278387227982009-10-04T12:37:00.000-07:002009-10-04T14:03:25.374-07:00

You may wonder what's so wonderful about a Sunday Roast? Well in Britain this is a traditional event...Sunday roast dinner complete with just about every root vegetable you can think of, four different deserts and excellent company...aka the Fairfield English department and their families. Again, what's so wonderful about Sunday roast? Well, considering its the first real red meat I've eaten

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-69684903648587256802009-09-29T13:58:00.000-07:002009-09-29T14:11:05.646-07:00

What do Miss DeJong and the convict have in common???We have both been "stung by nettles"...

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-39061057174552537302009-09-26T14:53:00.001-07:002009-09-26T14:53:47.649-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-69733558062189874402009-09-26T12:41:00.000-07:002009-09-28T11:57:27.079-07:00

Today I met up with Ellie Hope, a Physical Education teacher from Fairfield, in her hometown of Brecon, Wales. I got there without incident taking a beautiful drive up the A40 to the other side of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It was hard to resist sneaking peeks at the gorgeous views along this valley road, but alas, full concentration is needed when driving anywhere in this country.When I

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-14216015805523857742009-09-26T10:50:00.000-07:002009-09-26T13:22:48.745-07:00

For a couple of days, starting a few weeks ago, I would arrive home, step out of the car and suddenly feel like I had been stung by a bee on my feet or on my toes, as I was wearing sandals to school. One morning, as I got into the car I also got stung...so my foot was itchy and burning all the way to school....45 minutes of discomfort and itchiness was not fun. I thought it strange that I would

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-74019404149262951362009-09-26T02:02:00.001-07:002009-09-26T02:27:31.165-07:00

Having spent every Friday night at home since my arrival here in Wales, I was more than enthused when my new neighbor invited me to attend a Pampered Chef party last night. It was nice to have a "taste of home" and to see that women on this side of the pond can find such joy, laughter and risque joking with stoneware, kitchen gadgets, wine and food as women in America! I happen to love Pampered

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-17491335178944978602009-09-22T15:43:00.001-07:002009-09-22T15:43:47.000-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-85678413933103387432009-09-22T13:09:00.001-07:002009-09-22T13:09:46.544-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-11554669250178548632009-09-22T12:36:00.000-07:002009-09-22T12:41:40.710-07:00

De Dicto: London is the Place for MePress the up arrow on this link and you will find a clip of the actual Lord Kitchener singing one line of this song... but the claymation is also awesome and done by a sixth form student.

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-78419616163156066842009-09-22T11:26:00.000-07:002009-09-22T13:32:36.778-07:00

Micaela and I spent the weekend in London. Our main reason for going on this particular weekend was to attend a reception for all American Fulbrighters in the UK at the U.S. Embassy. In order to make the most of our time Micaela and I took an early bus from Newport, Gwent bus station. This was the most affordable method of travel, and only added about an hour of travel time over a train. The

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-29724230849858514322009-09-22T04:50:00.000-07:002009-09-22T05:30:39.449-07:00

My cultural sensibilities were a bit shaken today during a Year 8 lesson on Holes. While reading aloud in class we tackled a portion of the text which, for most American students would have been clear from the get-go, but for a British audience of adolescents it was none too clear. An illustration of how cultural allusions in literary texts,depending on the society in which the text is read,

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-91459942665351111112009-09-17T11:32:00.000-07:002009-09-17T13:17:45.851-07:00

...yesterday goes away, leaving only half a memory."and so begins another day...on a much brighter note than the last couple of days have. Maybe because today is really "Friday" for me, as tomorrow Micaela and I depart bright and early to get our bus into London, where we are spending the weekend, starting with a Friday evening reception at the US Embassy and then sightseeing. If one cannot look

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-57458131625637919542009-09-16T12:25:00.000-07:002009-09-16T13:41:12.715-07:00

Wednesday felt like a week, but it ended on a high note- with lots of up's and some down's in between - good food! Up's because today the student's really started demonstrating a lot of interest in our class lessons and down's because today it was my turn to miss home!First, because I missed the staff briefing yesterday, I did not know about Year 7 photo day...so while I was expecting to teach

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-53236129300017211272009-09-15T12:18:00.000-07:002009-09-16T13:20:16.139-07:00

Tuesday - arrived at school promptly at 8:40 a.m as we were running late this morning due to Micaela not feeling quite 100% and she was moving a bit slower than usual...add a few lorry's which keep the speed down, a very large lorry inching its way down the road up to the school, causing people to reverse direction and students to wait on the corner of the road before attempting to navigate the

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-8156112203697287742009-09-14T12:07:00.000-07:002009-09-15T15:20:56.864-07:00

Today was my first "real" Monday on regular timetable, as last week, the first day of school, was not a "normal" Monday, so I had no warning of what a full Monday would be like. It was a marathon day, without a prep period, and it was full of surprises from beginning to end. Add a staff meeting to the end of the day, a hungry, yet ill-feeling Micaela to keep me company on the way home, every pub

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-6254034859867604652009-09-13T14:00:00.001-07:002009-09-13T14:00:26.315-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-91871422910193066052009-09-13T12:44:00.000-07:002009-09-13T14:06:09.780-07:00

On Saturday I decided I would spend the afternoon in Hereford. It worked out just fine, since Micaela was to meet her new friends from school to do some shopping and to head off for a sleepover. I wanted to take a tour of the Hereford Cathedral and see the Mappa Mundi and Chained Library. Since photos are not allowed inside the exhibits, I only have photos of the exterior of the Cathedral.The

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-88640033170902054892009-09-13T03:36:00.001-07:002009-09-13T03:36:52.663-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-25101494449149810442009-09-11T12:39:00.000-07:002009-09-13T14:14:32.578-07:00

Week one was full of many new and different experiences. I realized, upon meeting my students who will be in my charge, for the first two terms of school, that they have a variety of backgrounds and interests, despite living in such a rural area of England. Many have been to America, but the majority of them have not, nor have many of them ever met an American. It has been a pleasant experience

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-53752028499488841112009-09-11T09:35:00.000-07:002009-09-11T12:29:06.777-07:00

Phew...week one complete! For the most part I must say it was brilliant! There were ups and downs, lessons that worked and some that didn't, technology issues, students testing their limits with the "American" teacher, and students who posed challenges beyond what I usually experience - especially from the little ones; but with consultation, questioning and observing by the end of the week I felt

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-19351391598412506632009-09-09T13:59:00.001-07:002009-09-09T13:59:23.008-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-49702313007656632972009-09-07T12:24:00.001-07:002009-09-08T12:12:14.406-07:00

When I was selected for this Fulbright exchange I was very anxious and apprehensive about leaving my school, my friends, my dogs, my son, indeed, my entire life behind for a year or more. In the end the exchange turned out to be just a half year, but the work and effort put into this time period is equivalent to the full year exchange, the difference is that, once I become adjusted and learn

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-8497377784232045042009-09-07T11:08:00.001-07:002009-09-09T14:12:22.940-07:00

Being a die hard sport enthusiast and having spent most of the past four years from the sidelines cheering on Zach and Micaela in their various athletic events, be it football (American football, that is) soccer (British football, that'd be), baseball, softball and basketball - and let's not forget those years of cheering on and coaching the cheerleaders (my girls) - I have been at a bit of a

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-4411719578787807352009-09-05T11:43:00.001-07:002009-09-05T11:43:38.523-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-36874635580942822302009-09-05T11:04:00.001-07:002009-09-05T11:04:58.186-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-35260393313010651692009-09-05T10:35:00.000-07:002009-09-05T12:02:24.629-07:00

Teacher training days in Northbridge should be this good so someone let the new principal know he has his work cut out for him next year! *wink,wink*.The "second half" of Friday's first day of work for the Fairfield staff consisted of lunch, courtesy of the headmaster, at the local pub called The Pandy Inn, located in Dorstone, Herefordshire, England.According to the literature provided by the

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-42401505430039234592009-09-05T07:31:00.000-07:002009-09-05T12:19:14.323-07:00

This week, Thursday and Friday, I spent my first two days at Fairfield High School for "teacher training days." This might be a bit of a misnomer, especially compared to the opening days at Northbridge High School.Thursday at Fairfield was an "optional" day. Micaela spent the day with her new friend Penny and she met some other girls from Fairfield, so I drove in with Mel. We arrived at 9 a.m.

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-61556622746571347642009-09-02T13:31:00.001-07:002009-09-02T13:43:44.942-07:00

So today Micaela and I went into the small city of Hereford, England - which is close to Fairfield High School. Micaela needed to pick up a couple more things for the school uniform. Yes, students here in most schools wear uniforms. The store we went to was in the Mayford Shopping Center and was full of racks of black pants, black skirts, white polos with various monogrammed insignia for multiple

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-3613570027391840332009-09-01T01:14:00.000-07:002009-09-01T10:43:30.636-07:00

This could be a headline in the United States! It was the headline in the UK today. The government has just added a 2 pence per liter tax to petrol. Pumps in the UK dispense petrol by the liter. The price per liter is averaging (according to the news station) at 1.02 (one pound, 2 pence) - that takes into account, as of midnight the new tax. There are four liters in a gallon. That means the price

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-26548181222810484792009-08-31T08:31:00.000-07:002009-08-31T09:47:22.296-07:00

While my blog and my facebook may portray an image of a "dream life" in Wales, let me assure you that it has not been all tourism and fun. I am, after all, running a household, cooking, cleaning, shopping, and caring for two furry cats and buying petrol and driving. We are doing the mundane things of life like watching television, walking in the neighborhood, eating, sleeping and showering each

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-50492345316573120912009-08-31T06:17:00.001-07:002009-08-31T08:31:08.425-07:00

This weekend Mr. and Mrs. Sheppard brought Micaela and I to visit Raglan Castle, a medieval castle, dating back to the 15th Century in the Welsh border district of Gwent, only about 14 miles from where we are in Gilwern, Wales. This castle served as a strategic location in the Wye valley and offers some fantastic views of the countryside.After our tour of the castle we headed to the village of

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-84813419869310214192009-08-31T05:34:00.001-07:002009-08-31T05:34:25.060-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-64261734662856925062009-08-27T10:00:00.001-07:002009-08-27T10:43:21.861-07:00

I attended "Results Day" at Fairfield High School today.Results Day is the day that students in Wales and England receive the results of their GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education) national exams taken at the end of Year 11. Some students do take one or two at the end of Year 10, but the majority of pupils take between 5 and 14 exams at the end of Year 11. Year 11 is the equivalent of

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-62805301133250435582009-08-25T03:59:00.000-07:002009-08-25T05:19:44.048-07:00

Having finally made it to the nearest ASDA without the pressure of being at the mercy of a good natured chap who had been up for 12 hours straight, I was finally able to browse the aisle of the UK version of Walmart, at a leisurely pace, and take note of the items available to me for the next four months.I arrived armed with a list and 80 British Pound; the equivalent of $132 USD. This was the

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-28048491007149239702009-08-24T16:07:00.001-07:002009-08-24T16:07:13.912-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-39346882978077384082009-08-24T12:54:00.000-07:002009-08-24T15:54:12.799-07:00

I have not yet attempted driving this one tract country lane in the driver's seat, however, I have been in the passenger seat many times. I have finally developed a sense of direction for my new surroundings and once I have a vehicle again I am ready to "give this a go." I feel confident that I can handle driving on the main roads at this point, even though I had one very brief driving lesson. I

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-55544698660566792522009-08-24T05:31:00.001-07:002009-08-24T05:33:01.134-07:00

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-48852584094540557872009-08-24T02:30:00.000-07:002009-08-31T06:28:10.667-07:00

It's been almost one week since Micaela and I arrived in Wales. Our home on Station Terrace is, in comparison to our home in Northbridge, very remote. The stillness of the surroundings is almost overwhelming. The beauty of the area surpasses my ability to describe it, so photos must speak for themselves. Indeed, living on top of this mountain, while not far from a very busy thoroughfare at its

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-4293042178747988752009-08-19T05:07:00.000-07:002009-08-19T06:32:25.919-07:00

It is a bit past 1 p.m. on Wednesday afternoon as I write this post. In the US it is only 8 a.m. and that,my friends, is the time schedule I am running on, as I have just sat outdoors in the back garden to have a cup of coffee, after a somewhat fit night's sleep, to be, ironically, awoken by a pack of barking dogs! Micaela...well she is sound asleep as I write. The weather is like New

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-50661331935993017472009-08-10T19:24:00.000-07:002009-08-10T19:26:21.838-07:00

Matt from Kent trying IBC Rootbeer...he is such a "cheeky monkey".

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-26812881412431818472009-08-10T19:11:00.000-07:002009-08-10T19:23:06.199-07:00

So here's the interesting thing about being hostess to Sam this week... I am privileged to be here with her as she experiences the "first" of many fun things she is sure to encounter as she takes up residence in my beautiful town of Northbridge. In some respects I am eagerly anticipating my own "firsts" when I arrive in her town of Abergavenny, but for now, I am enjoying watching her be the star

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-60140424054307488392009-08-10T03:47:00.001-07:002009-08-10T19:30:23.285-07:00

Something I have always known is that teachers are often the worst audience. We talk while others are talking, we fidget, we hide our phones to send text messages, we are late to "class", we come to class unprepared, and we all learn with multiple teaching styles... in short, we are much like our students. Add to all of this the challenge of addressing a multi-lingual, international group of 120

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2806592268958562731.post-21347414916165834272009-07-23T15:24:00.000-07:002009-07-24T06:48:34.602-07:00

Anyone who knows me well, knows that over the past four years of my life, I have spent just about every Friday night, from August through November, and even some Saturdays in December, watching Zachary play football. I have seen most televised Patriots games on Sundays and I have seen my share of other NFL teams play on television too. I do love the game of football. I am a true Ram Fan...I have

Kristinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05017798702597772356noreply@blogger.com3