I would like to say first, that I am so blown away by the number of people who are reading my blogs. I am so happy that many of you all over the world find my adventures here in France interesting to read! Merci Merci Merci!
There is only one way to describe my day here in France. A poem, orginiating from the US.
Rain Rain
Go Away
Come Again
Another Day
A lovely children's song that every American child is familiar with. Except rain isn't all too bad here in France.
Olive Store in Opio
Today I went with Christine to a little shop that has olive trees, a mill, and basically makes all things olive. For those of you from Cleveland, TN it is the olive version of our "Apple Orchard." At least that is what it reminded me of. It was incredible! (I think I use that word a little too much in my blogs, huh!)
This area in France is one of the most famous and best places for olive trees. I spent a lot of money at this little store. I didn't even think I liked olives, until today when I tried some. Maybe I only like olives from France. I will make sure I do not say that when I am ordering pizza at the Gondolier Restaraunt in Cleveland next time I am there. "Pizza with mushroom, pepperoni, and olives straight from the Riviera, please."
.
At the olive store! With my giant bag full of goodies! Oops, I told my dad I bought him a gift today....... .........
Afternoon with Marie!
When Marie got home from school today, it was still raining. She often likes to play outside so this was not an option. I told her she could fix my hair. How did I tell her if I can't speak French.......... Its a mystery to me. But she did my hair, alright! She enjoyed it very much. I think she loves to be creative. When we picked her up from school today, she was singing a little song that she wrote! It was about a Cat. How cuuuuuuuute.
Finally it was time for her bath. I will let the pictures do the talking. She LOVES splashing around during bathtime, but I was able to communicate to her that if she wants pictures, she cannot splash while my camera is in the room. Somehow, she understood. Somehow, my camera did not get wet.
My camera.....I mean... my boyfriend's camera. I am taking great care of it!
I have noticed lately, that when I am "in her way" or she wants to sit where I am sitting ect. she often just kind of pushes me out of the way. I have recently taught her to say "Excuse Me"
It is so precious. I know she was not trying to be "rude" when moving me out of the way, but she did not know how to communicate to me what she would like. Now she says, "Excuse me, Leah." All the time. Its simple, because she does not have to be specific with it. She does not have to say "I would like to sit there." or "I want to throw this away can you move away from the trash can." She just says, "Excuse Me." And I am generally able to figure out what she wants. It is really helpful her knowing these little phrases.
"Come on, Leah"
"I need help, please."
"Excuse me, Leah."
really with those three, we can do anything together.
Of course I am teaching her more and more English. More than just simple phrases. I am constantly incorporating body parts, food, animals, action verbs, ect. I just mention these phrases because they really are "life" savors when it comes to knowing what she needs and understanding her. I try to teach her at LEAST one new word everyday, and review all previous words we have learned. I may introduce more than one new word a day, but I do not asses her on it. And by asses I mean, make sure she REALLY knows it knows it. I may introduce to her "leg" one day. But at the end of the day if I point to my leg and ask her what it is, if she doesn't know it is okay. Over the next few days I will consciously mention "leg" anywhere and everywhere I can. Her barbies leg, my leg, her leg in the bathtub, ect. Then after a few days, with repetition, and numerous examples, she always, and easily says, "Leg!" when I point to, a leg.
Voila!
Today I was surprised however! I introduce to her very quickly a few days ago about the phrase "open your eyes."
I had not reviewed it or mentioned it to her again. Today when we were playing I had my eyes closed pretending to do something, (I was slightly peaking, don't worry Christine!) and she said "Open your eyes!" And proceeded to show me something. Now it wasn't pronounced perfect, but I could tell what she was saying. I was very impressed. Later in the day she even used that phrase again. Maybe something's she catches on more quickly than others.
"I know she is beautiful!!!!!!!!!!"
Those are the words Marie exclaimed to her mother this evening. You see, Marie and Iwere playing pretend pinic in her room with a little plastic teaset, birthday cake with candles, and a blanket. Somehow, we ended up pretending that the candles caught me on fire! Little Marie then gets her water bottle full of water and starts uhh, "putting the fire out." Yes, I was getting very wet! I tried telling her to just pretend and not actually pour water on me. She didn't understand and I think she was sad I was not as excited about her idea as she was. She storms out of the room upset with me!
I come downstairs and her Mom is asking her why she is not being "nice" with me, ect. She exclaimed "I know she is beautiful!!"
And that was that.
I went to Marie's school again! I have learned so much this week about the French education system. I have been asking Christine a lot of questions, and then asking the American helper at Marie's school many questions--just soaking it all in
I do not know what I have already written in my blog about the schools here in France. So if I repeat myself, please forgive me.
The teachers. They make about the same as teachers in the US. Except if you teach in a private school here, you tend to make more. It is my understanding that if you teach in a private school in the US, you tend to make less.
Marie is in a preschool class, but this class seems a little more "chaotic" than the preschools classes I have seen. Now, Marie's class has A LOT of children and only 2 teachers. These kids are only three and four, so I suppose one should not expect anything more than chaos! Preschool in the US is usually 4-5. These children walk in a straight line down the hall and keep their hands to themselves. (usually--there are always those few kids who are trouble makers!) In Marie's class they do not walk in straight lines, ect. Luckily, it is an outside campus so the teacher's don't have to do the whole "be quiet in the hallway,class"
type thing.
There is a "teacher shortage" here in France. If you are a teacher, you will get a job. However, you do not get to pick where you teach!!! You tell the government your top choices of where you would like to live, and they try their best, but it is not guaranteed. It reminds me of the US military placement system. There is definitely NOT a teacher shortage in the US. I have heard friends say that there were over 100 applications for one little 2nd grade position in Georgia. This is the norm for upcoming teachers in the US these days. I am so grateful to have been chosen as the Music Teacher for Taylor Elementary for the fall. I have been praying that the Lord would provide for me, and that I would be placed at the school I am SUPPOSED to teach at. I have had many interviews before this position, but I knew it was okay because I knew the LORD was closing the wrong doors, and would open the right ones for me. I have so many testimonies of his faithfulness.
In the US, ANYONE can walk into any school, any time they want too. All they have to do is sign in at the office and wear a sticker that says "VISITOR." Every classroom has to have a window. It is pretty much common knowledge as to what goes on inside the classrooms--because anyone can see. (with a few exceptions)
In France. Never! Marie's parents are NOT allowed to ever visit her class. Teachers have a lot of power here. And it is not just for private preschool. It is the same for high school, ect. I am really lucky to have been approved to get to go inside Marie's school. I do not know if this would be allowed if I was not a certified teacher. I even had to bring a copy of my diploma. Apparently if Marie was in second grade or older, I really would not be allowed to enter--but since it is just preschool it is okay. I began to wonder--how does the government know that these teachers are doing a good job......
If you are a teacher in TN or another state experiencing the same thing as we are, you would probably asking yourself that, too! You see, for us, we get observed by the principal and even people from the state multiple times a year. Sometimes we know when they are coming, but half the time it is a surprise. Teachers get a grade on their TEACHING! It may sound like oh "that is nothing." However it can be very stressful for the teachers and perhaps even students. Yet, it can also be a good thing---I suppose there are pros and cons to everything in life.
In France..Teachers get observed ONCE every FIVE years and they KNOW when the government is coming! Can you believe that! They also do not get a "grade" and it doeso not affect their job.
I have also learned that school shootings really never happen in France. The factors of no visitors in school, no guns (unless you are a "hunter" but I am sure it is much harder to obtain a gun here than it would be for a "hunter" in the US) all contribute I am sure. And in France there are no SRO's either. (For the people outside the US--SRO stands for School Rescourse Officer--it is an on campus policeman that stays at the schools.) It has kind of swayed my opinion on gun laws in the US. I won't get political now, I already told you all I did not vote for Obama!
With all that being said, I do not know if I am "allowed" to post this video. Perhaps I might have to delete it later.
I thought my blog readers deserved an inside scoop!
Bon journee!
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