30 hours...

My morning started by ending what I believe is the longest skype session of my life...NO, I KNOW it was the longest....

So I was a little nervous about today because I was starting the NYC project with Virginia's class, and I was not sure how she would like it, but the most important thing was that the students had expressed a lot of interest in it.  Virginia took the first hour as usual, which means that I never teach 2 hours in this class, but whatever.  I am just happy to be having time with them now!  When I did get started with them, we talked a little bit about what they know about NYC, and then started talking about the boroughs, transportation, etc.  We were able to look at the 5 boroughs and guess about the ways to travel in between them, etc.  I was able to show them the subway, subway maps, the Staten Island Ferry, Astoria, google maps images of my apartment building, etc.  They were really engaged and talking about the pictures, etc.  When they asked where I lived, etc.  Virginia had them start asking me question about what I did there.  I told them that I was a "nanny" for an Italian family, and then Virginia made them start asking me questions about why I learned Italian, what did I think of Italian people before I got here, how did I envision Italy...etc. Needless to say, we were WAY off topic and the students were not really coming up with the questions on their own.  I suppose that they were speaking, and that is most important.  I had to redirect the conversation at the end so that I could give them the homework.  The homework was to research two places that you are interested in knowing more about in NYC...or tourist attractions, museums, etc. etc.  and answer a few questions about them for me!  Next week, you'll have to talk about them to the class.  Virginia immediately jumped on it and said that I should give them all the same 2 places because otherwise they would not do the assignment.  I was a little flabbergasted at first and did not say much, and she said, "well, I'll do that for you!" She started asking them about Times Square and somewhere else, and a few of them spoke up and said that they wanted to know about something different.  She looked at me, and I said, "this is why I wanted them to do something they were each interested in because then they will want to do it!"  Plus, if they all do the same places, there is no need for more than one of them to present information.  PLUS, let's have some respect for their desire to learn and do well.  This is what they were talking about in Reggio: respect the students(child's) ability to learn, their curiosity to learn...heck, respect them in general and maybe they will return that with respect and enthusiasm.  I think that they will be MORE likely to do their work, if it is something that they are interested in, and not something the teacher prescribed for them to do!  So, I had to stand up for myself, the students, and my project....I think I did a good job though! 

THe next few hours were basically wasted thanks to Italian internet, and by that I mean, lack thereof.  Then, Angelino did not show up to class, so I just sat there and worked on my "reggio" powerpoint information and asked the students to stay quiet.  It is no use trying to control this group for a lesson without Angelino there; there is usually no control when he IS there!  I have learned to pick my battles...a tough lesson for me sometimes!

When I left school, I rode the bus home, stopped at the grocery store (which had no turkey), went to the macelleria to get some turkey, came home and ate lunch.  My momma never called me, and I was worried....she calls me every day while I eat.  THEN...I remembered that the U.S. had daylight savings time, and we had not changed yet.  So, I was able to get in touch with her and now we know that for a few weeks, CST is 6 hours behind me, and EST is only 5.  

After all of this, I started talking to Nick.  I was listening to broadway music while I worked, and he was listening with me.  When I started playing a song from Jersey Boys, which I think is called, "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You", Nick started making up his own words!  We had a lot of fun with this, and also  A LOT of laughs!  He is so funny and silly, but can be so serious and insightful at the same time!   I worked on blogs, and then went out for a walk!  I love to just go walking around and see the people out walking, and what is in the shops on that given day!  I am REALLY going to miss this about Italy!  I NEED to live somewhere that I can walk the majority of the time.  I came back and worked on blogs some more, made dinner, and then worked on lesson plans.  My "differences between IT and American high schools is  A BEAST!!  Like 80 slides...meant to be done over about 2 or 3 weeks, which is amazing because it means I do not have to plan for some of my more difficult classes, for a while!  

Nick on Skype...sleep!