As of today I have exatly one moth left in Poland. One month! I sat down to calculate some numbers that I thought would help me to put this all into perspective. Though I am admitedly counting down the days, I am doing this for two reasons. First I am excited to come home, but I also want to ensure that I'm getting the most out of my days here. I don't want to leave any stone unturned or come back thinking, "Gee, I wish I would have. . . ." So this is what my next month, my last month, is looking like:
-28 more lessons to teach.
-13 more lesson plans to write.
-8 more groups of students to assign final grades to.
-3 more afternoons with Zosia, my beloved four-year-old stead.
-3 more salsa lessons.
-4 more opportunities to worship at my Polish church.
-1 class trip to Lithuania with 40 first graders.
-17 dozen cookies to bake.
-2 class parties to host at my flat.
It's honestly very scary to look at these numbers. I feel like I've come a long way and it's weird to think that I've almost reached the end of this journey. I'm still trying to figure out how to tie up lose ends and how to leave knowing that I'm truly ready and done. Leaving home was scary, but sometimes I think that coming home will be even scarier.
Blessings,
Colleen
27 May 2010
18 May 2010
Reason #87401 Why Volcanoes are Annoying
I'm sure that you have heard about the volcano that erupted in April causing countless travelers to be stranded all over the world and in general causing mass chaos and confusion. Over the past few weeks, Europe has been sorting itself out. All of those who had been stranded have made it to their desire locations; the mail that had been backed up is again flowing in a normal pattern. The airlines have re-designed routes to avoid the small amounts of ash that are still being put into the air. Basically, we have coped. However, the volcano is not done with us yet. It has more tricks up its sleeve.
I have learned that as volcanic ash travels in the air across the continent of Europe it causes a lot of rain to fall. A lot of rain. Flood inducing rains.
It has been raining here in Cieszyn for well over a week now, and it shows absolutely NO signs of stopping. Last week the rain was just annoying. It was on and off, and was in general depressing. However, the rain has taken on a new identity since Saturday evening. It has not stopped raining for more than a few minutes and everything is officially flooding. The river has come up onto the pavement, and other smaller creeks and streams have flooded as well. More and more roads are being closed off every day. Increasingly more students are staying home either because of the roads being closed or because they need to help their parents help with their flooded homes. The flooding has claimed six lives so far in Poland. The weather forecast shows no break in the rain until Monday. . .and I'm not sure I can even believe that.
I was inspired by this weather to talk about natural disasters with my 2nd graders. They are a fun group, and I really enjoyed how they responded so creatively to some of my questions. Here are some funny quotes from them:
-"What is a mudslide? Like a mud avalanche?"
-"Floods destroy you."
-Two students were fighting about whether floods or droughts were worse, and it came down to where the person was: Africa or Poland. In response to this one student said:
"But she doesn't say its in Africa."
-Miss Colleen: "How can we help people survive a flood?"
Student: "You need heat absorption skills."
-Miss Colleen: "What is something that you could invent to stop a volcano from erupting?"
Student: "A cork. Made of cement. Or give the volcano tablets for a runny nose."
(Apparently a Polish comic book hero theorizes that volcanoes are just the effect of the earth's runny nose.)
-Miss Colleen: "And what about mudslides? What can we do to stop mudslides?"
Student: "We can build an anti-mudslider."
Miss Colleen: "What does an anti-mudslider look like?"
Student: "Like a normal anit-mudslider."
(The student then goes to the board to draw a picture of the anti-mudslider.)
Student: "And it has a pipe to take the mud away to a spa. And there are ogórki there too. Cucumbers. Cucumbers at the spa."
-In response to a question about whether the students would like to chase tornadoes for a living: "It's dangerous, but they are nice."
-After students have debated for several moments about how to make volcanoes safe, one exasperated girl says:
"But it's stupid to live by a volcano!"
And this is by far the winner of all the quotes:
-Miss Colleen: "Would you rather be in a flood or a drought?"
Student: A flood because we can stay home from school."
(I WISH!!!)
But do not worry, so far I am safe and dry. My flat is on top of a hill and is on the second story of my building. Hopefully the rain will stop sooner rather than later!
Peace,
Colleen
I have learned that as volcanic ash travels in the air across the continent of Europe it causes a lot of rain to fall. A lot of rain. Flood inducing rains.
It has been raining here in Cieszyn for well over a week now, and it shows absolutely NO signs of stopping. Last week the rain was just annoying. It was on and off, and was in general depressing. However, the rain has taken on a new identity since Saturday evening. It has not stopped raining for more than a few minutes and everything is officially flooding. The river has come up onto the pavement, and other smaller creeks and streams have flooded as well. More and more roads are being closed off every day. Increasingly more students are staying home either because of the roads being closed or because they need to help their parents help with their flooded homes. The flooding has claimed six lives so far in Poland. The weather forecast shows no break in the rain until Monday. . .and I'm not sure I can even believe that.
I was inspired by this weather to talk about natural disasters with my 2nd graders. They are a fun group, and I really enjoyed how they responded so creatively to some of my questions. Here are some funny quotes from them:
-"What is a mudslide? Like a mud avalanche?"
-"Floods destroy you."
-Two students were fighting about whether floods or droughts were worse, and it came down to where the person was: Africa or Poland. In response to this one student said:
"But she doesn't say its in Africa."
-Miss Colleen: "How can we help people survive a flood?"
Student: "You need heat absorption skills."
-Miss Colleen: "What is something that you could invent to stop a volcano from erupting?"
Student: "A cork. Made of cement. Or give the volcano tablets for a runny nose."
(Apparently a Polish comic book hero theorizes that volcanoes are just the effect of the earth's runny nose.)
-Miss Colleen: "And what about mudslides? What can we do to stop mudslides?"
Student: "We can build an anti-mudslider."
Miss Colleen: "What does an anti-mudslider look like?"
Student: "Like a normal anit-mudslider."
(The student then goes to the board to draw a picture of the anti-mudslider.)
Student: "And it has a pipe to take the mud away to a spa. And there are ogórki there too. Cucumbers. Cucumbers at the spa."
-In response to a question about whether the students would like to chase tornadoes for a living: "It's dangerous, but they are nice."
-After students have debated for several moments about how to make volcanoes safe, one exasperated girl says:
"But it's stupid to live by a volcano!"
And this is by far the winner of all the quotes:
-Miss Colleen: "Would you rather be in a flood or a drought?"
Student: A flood because we can stay home from school."
(I WISH!!!)
But do not worry, so far I am safe and dry. My flat is on top of a hill and is on the second story of my building. Hopefully the rain will stop sooner rather than later!
Peace,
Colleen
14 May 2010
Miss Hetrick's Quotebook: Chapter 4
It's about time for another installment of silly quotes. Most of them are from my delightful students, but a few are from other local Poles and my friends. Enjoy!
-My 3g had the assignment of writing an interview between a journalist and a famous person of their choice. The first question asked to a famous singer:
"Why do you write your songs? For your grandma?"
-While practicing Matura conversations, one girl student was describing her fear of spiders. She said they make her scream, "I scream". While going over mistakes one of her classmates said:
"What does ice cream have to do with spiders?"
-During one of the same practice sessions one student said these words of encouragement to another:
"She needs to learn to trust herself. She speaks very well, but she needs to relax and let her words come out."
-In a television show on how-to make fruit salad, Michal instructed us to:
"Get out your crossbow and steal fruit from your neighbor."
-When out at a jazz jam session, a man sitting at the next table over said to me:
"You have a very impression American accent."
-Today I played pictionary/charades with my 2g girls at the end of class using words connected to travelling and holidays. This is one of the exchanges:
Marcelina: What does that say?
Karolina: Louvre.
Ola: What's that?
Karolina: It's French.
Ola: Why is it in French? I don't understand French.
Marcelina: What is it?
Karolina: The LOUVRE. The LOUVRE. The LOUVRE.
(No matter how times she said it her teammates still remained clueless that it is one of the most famous MUSEUMS in the world- which was the answer.)
-Finally, I want to share some of the reactions I have received when I confess to my salsa dancing partners that I in fact do not speak Polish. I pretend to be shy for the first few sentences, but once they ask me a question or say too much I say in Polish: I don't understand Polish; I am American. These are some of the things they say:
"Oh. Hello! Hello! Hi!"
"Well, let's speak English then."
"Ohhhhhhhhh, wow!!!" (said by a short man, doing a body roll at the same time)
I hope that you enjoyed these quotes as much as I did!
Peace,
Colleen
-My 3g had the assignment of writing an interview between a journalist and a famous person of their choice. The first question asked to a famous singer:
"Why do you write your songs? For your grandma?"
-While practicing Matura conversations, one girl student was describing her fear of spiders. She said they make her scream, "I scream". While going over mistakes one of her classmates said:
"What does ice cream have to do with spiders?"
-During one of the same practice sessions one student said these words of encouragement to another:
"She needs to learn to trust herself. She speaks very well, but she needs to relax and let her words come out."
-In a television show on how-to make fruit salad, Michal instructed us to:
"Get out your crossbow and steal fruit from your neighbor."
-When out at a jazz jam session, a man sitting at the next table over said to me:
"You have a very impression American accent."
-Today I played pictionary/charades with my 2g girls at the end of class using words connected to travelling and holidays. This is one of the exchanges:
Marcelina: What does that say?
Karolina: Louvre.
Ola: What's that?
Karolina: It's French.
Ola: Why is it in French? I don't understand French.
Marcelina: What is it?
Karolina: The LOUVRE. The LOUVRE. The LOUVRE.
(No matter how times she said it her teammates still remained clueless that it is one of the most famous MUSEUMS in the world- which was the answer.)
-Finally, I want to share some of the reactions I have received when I confess to my salsa dancing partners that I in fact do not speak Polish. I pretend to be shy for the first few sentences, but once they ask me a question or say too much I say in Polish: I don't understand Polish; I am American. These are some of the things they say:
"Oh. Hello! Hello! Hi!"
"Well, let's speak English then."
"Ohhhhhhhhh, wow!!!" (said by a short man, doing a body roll at the same time)
I hope that you enjoyed these quotes as much as I did!
Peace,
Colleen
11 May 2010
Matura Season
Now that the Maturas are in full swing, I thought I ought to take some time to explain the madness that are the exit exams that my third graders are being subjected to at the moment. In America, we take the SATs or ACTs to prove to colleges that we are up to snuff and that we can handle the academics rigor of higher education. We can also chose to take Advanced Placement tests in certain areas of expertise. (I know that the IB program exists as well, but I don't know that much about it, so I'm intentionally leaving out.)
Matura tests are similar to the SATs because all students are required to take Polish, Math, and English, but they are also similar to AP tests because the students can chose to take tests in areas that they wish to study at university. For example, if someone wants to be a doctor they would chose to take biology and chemistry. However, one unique attribute is that students can chose whether they would like to take the test on the basic or advanced level. They can pick their poison. But if they chose to take it on the advanced level, they must do BOTH the basic and the advanced tests.
Last week the students took their Math test and the written portions of Polish and English. There are also speaking components to the Polish and English (and other foreign language) tests. The speaking for Polish consists of each student making a presentation and then being asked questions about it by a committee. From what I understand it is sort of like a shorter thesis defense.
I have become intimately connected with the English speaking component as I worked it countless times with my 3s and now with my 2s! For both levels the students have to talk about pictures and have conversations. On the basic level the student engages in three short conversations with the examiner. The first conversation is about asking for/giving information. The second is about relating some type of story. The third is a negotiation where the student is trying to convince the examiner to change his/her mind. Following these conversations, the student must describe a picture and answer two questions about it.
On the advanced level students describe and answer questions about a set of pictures, quotations, and a chart of some kind. These pieces of information are all connected in some way and the student is to explain their relationship and the problem that they represent. The students then must create an argument answering one of two questions. They must talk for at least three minutes without stopping and then answer questions related to structure and content.
These are some of the other subjects that students can choose to take tests in: French, German, Spanish, Russian, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, WOS (Society Studies), and Music. I think there are others, but I'm not sure. I also don't know much about the structure of these other tests.
I do not envy the students in all of the testing they have to go through. I remember vividly how stressful the two weeks of AP testing were, so I can hardly imagine having this last for three weeks! Despite this, I am happy to report that they seem to be in good spirits and with each test they complete they smile a little bigger. Just a week and a half left until they are completely free!
Blessings,
Colleen
Matura tests are similar to the SATs because all students are required to take Polish, Math, and English, but they are also similar to AP tests because the students can chose to take tests in areas that they wish to study at university. For example, if someone wants to be a doctor they would chose to take biology and chemistry. However, one unique attribute is that students can chose whether they would like to take the test on the basic or advanced level. They can pick their poison. But if they chose to take it on the advanced level, they must do BOTH the basic and the advanced tests.
Last week the students took their Math test and the written portions of Polish and English. There are also speaking components to the Polish and English (and other foreign language) tests. The speaking for Polish consists of each student making a presentation and then being asked questions about it by a committee. From what I understand it is sort of like a shorter thesis defense.
I have become intimately connected with the English speaking component as I worked it countless times with my 3s and now with my 2s! For both levels the students have to talk about pictures and have conversations. On the basic level the student engages in three short conversations with the examiner. The first conversation is about asking for/giving information. The second is about relating some type of story. The third is a negotiation where the student is trying to convince the examiner to change his/her mind. Following these conversations, the student must describe a picture and answer two questions about it.
On the advanced level students describe and answer questions about a set of pictures, quotations, and a chart of some kind. These pieces of information are all connected in some way and the student is to explain their relationship and the problem that they represent. The students then must create an argument answering one of two questions. They must talk for at least three minutes without stopping and then answer questions related to structure and content.
These are some of the other subjects that students can choose to take tests in: French, German, Spanish, Russian, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, WOS (Society Studies), and Music. I think there are others, but I'm not sure. I also don't know much about the structure of these other tests.
I do not envy the students in all of the testing they have to go through. I remember vividly how stressful the two weeks of AP testing were, so I can hardly imagine having this last for three weeks! Despite this, I am happy to report that they seem to be in good spirits and with each test they complete they smile a little bigger. Just a week and a half left until they are completely free!
Blessings,
Colleen
08 May 2010
Warsawa
I have officially survived my first chaperoning experience. I traveled to Warsaw for three days this past week with the 3g classes. Usually travel means that I am free of my students can be silly and act however without worrying about anything, however that was not the case this time around. Despite this it was fun to travel with students and interacting with them outside of the classroom was nice. We crammed a lot into our visit! Warsaw is a very historical history and has been through a lot over the years. Most notably the destruction by the Nazis during WWII. The latter part of the XX century was spent rebuilding this city, so most of what we saw was reconstruction and replacements, not the actual original structures. I was impressed with the liveliness of the city and how it has grown and healed over the past 60 years.
On the first day we toured the Senat (Polish spelling). We saw the rooms where different committees meet and where the whole Senat gathers. Overall it was very similar to the various senate buildings in America. The most noted difference were the crucifixes found in some of the rooms. Poland is VERY Catholic. After this we went on a walking tour of the Old Town that included Warsaw University, the old city walls, and the old Market Square.
The second day started with a tour of the Zaziekni Palace, which means Palace on the Water. The palace is situated within a huge public park that is expertly maintained and manicured, and it is also home to peacocks. (I think that students had more fun with the peacocks than the tour of the palace!) The inside of the Palace was beautiful, which is a compliment to the artists and architects who restored it. Next we went to an exhibit at the Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from Russia. The exhibit was about conservation. Lunch was at the nicest mall in Warsaw, "Golden Terrace." The mall had every major European store, plus a few American. Most importantly there was Greek food!! in the food court and a Mark & Spencers grocery shop. I just about cried reading all of the English labels. The remainder of the afternoon was spent at the Warsaw Uprising Museum that documents the way that the natives of Warsaw fought against the Nazi occupation. It is hands down one of the best museums I have ever been too. Every caption and description was written in Polish AND English. I would highly recommend this museum to anyone to travels to Warsaw as an important step to understanding the history and character of the city.
There was a damper on the last day of the trip because of a steady rain, but we fought through and still saw a lot. We went to the oldest cemetery in the city to see some of the most famous graves. The cemetery is divided into two parts, one for military and one for civilians. The graves were beautiful. Next we went on a tour of the Royal Castle. This castle had been completely destroyed by the Nazis, so everything had to be rebuilt after the war. Many countries donated valuable pieces to the new castle, including America. What we did we give them? Bust of Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin. (?!?!?) The Palace is a true testament to the strength of Poles to overcome and work through adversity.
After this we piled back on the bus and drove back to Cieszyn. I really did enjoy touring Warsaw. I went in expecting to see communism at every turn, but instead I was greeted with strength, color, and hope. The Poles have not had an easy time of things, but through it all they push forward. This is an important message for the world to hear. Myself included.
Blessings,
Colleen
On the first day we toured the Senat (Polish spelling). We saw the rooms where different committees meet and where the whole Senat gathers. Overall it was very similar to the various senate buildings in America. The most noted difference were the crucifixes found in some of the rooms. Poland is VERY Catholic. After this we went on a walking tour of the Old Town that included Warsaw University, the old city walls, and the old Market Square.
The second day started with a tour of the Zaziekni Palace, which means Palace on the Water. The palace is situated within a huge public park that is expertly maintained and manicured, and it is also home to peacocks. (I think that students had more fun with the peacocks than the tour of the palace!) The inside of the Palace was beautiful, which is a compliment to the artists and architects who restored it. Next we went to an exhibit at the Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from Russia. The exhibit was about conservation. Lunch was at the nicest mall in Warsaw, "Golden Terrace." The mall had every major European store, plus a few American. Most importantly there was Greek food!! in the food court and a Mark & Spencers grocery shop. I just about cried reading all of the English labels. The remainder of the afternoon was spent at the Warsaw Uprising Museum that documents the way that the natives of Warsaw fought against the Nazi occupation. It is hands down one of the best museums I have ever been too. Every caption and description was written in Polish AND English. I would highly recommend this museum to anyone to travels to Warsaw as an important step to understanding the history and character of the city.
There was a damper on the last day of the trip because of a steady rain, but we fought through and still saw a lot. We went to the oldest cemetery in the city to see some of the most famous graves. The cemetery is divided into two parts, one for military and one for civilians. The graves were beautiful. Next we went on a tour of the Royal Castle. This castle had been completely destroyed by the Nazis, so everything had to be rebuilt after the war. Many countries donated valuable pieces to the new castle, including America. What we did we give them? Bust of Washington, Jefferson, and Franklin. (?!?!?) The Palace is a true testament to the strength of Poles to overcome and work through adversity.
After this we piled back on the bus and drove back to Cieszyn. I really did enjoy touring Warsaw. I went in expecting to see communism at every turn, but instead I was greeted with strength, color, and hope. The Poles have not had an easy time of things, but through it all they push forward. This is an important message for the world to hear. Myself included.
Blessings,
Colleen
03 May 2010
Kino Na Granicy: Cinema on the Border
In many ways Cieszyn is a small town. Yes we have a market square, but if you walk ten minutes in any direction from there you are in the suburbs and then shortly there after villages. However, every year it is host to several festivals and other such exciting events. This past weekend was the film festival named Kino Na Granicy, or in English, Cinema on the Border. The Polish side of town works together with the Czech side and together they organize a 6-day schedule of films of all types and music. The films range from animation to documentary and from Polish to Czech to Slovak to Hungarian. There were new films and classics. There were four different viewing locations: the theater and cinema here in Cieszyn, the cinema in Cesky Tesin, and the border. Literally the border. For the small fee of 70 zl (just about $25) I got a full 6-day pass, a tote bag, and a t-shirt! Considering to go to one film costs 20 zl and a t-shirt would be about the same, it was a great deal!
So over the past five days, Sarah and I have seen a lot of movies. Some were great. Some were weird. Some I'm dying to see in English. Some I could have lived without. Overall it was a lot of fun, and it was great fun to feel the excitement of the crowd. AND, a free t-shirt. How cool! Here are some snip-bits about my favorite films and fun moments:
The Moon Inside You
This was a documentary about menstruation. Though not all of it was in English, a majority of the experts were American, British, or Australian so their expert testimonies were given in English. It was an innovative and interesting look at what it means to be a woman and how we should take pride in our bodies instead of feeling shameful about a completely natural process. Also, be rest assured that there was funny animation because after all what film about menstruation is complete without it!
Kinematograf
This was a short computer-animated film, and honestly probably my favorite of the whole weekend. It was about a man who was trying to invent the kinematograf and his wife who was secretly suffering from tuberculosis. The animation was uniquely done and the film featured fantastic music. I am always surprised when animation makes me feel so much in my heart.
Rewers
This was a film that was to capture the dark side of womanhood. It is a newly released Polish film, set in post WWII Warsaw. In the story, a young woman who is living with her mother and grandmother falls in love with a man and then the story takes a dark turn. I was surprised at how well I was able to follow the film, despite there not being any English. I would really like to see this movie again with subtitles so that I could better understand what was happening.
Boze Cialo: Corpus Christi
This was a documentary made by Adam Sikora, one of the most famous people in Polish film. It told the story of Silesia, the state in which I live here in Poland. It featured both the young and old. The young sharing their dreams of a better a life through rapping, and the old wishing for the days of communism, for the days when they could feed their family. I was shocked to see the poverty and depression of this area because it is nothing like what I live in here. I was reminded that I really am working with the upper class in Poland.
All in all, participating in this film festival was a great experience. The only regret I have is that is rained on Saturday night so I didn't get to watch a classic Polish love film over the river. I was going to sit in Czech and watch a movie in Poland. How stinkin' cool would that have been!!! I hope another opportunity presents itself to do this before I come home. And regardless I will wear my cool new t-shirt and carry my sweet new tote with pride.
Blessings,
Colleen
So over the past five days, Sarah and I have seen a lot of movies. Some were great. Some were weird. Some I'm dying to see in English. Some I could have lived without. Overall it was a lot of fun, and it was great fun to feel the excitement of the crowd. AND, a free t-shirt. How cool! Here are some snip-bits about my favorite films and fun moments:
The Moon Inside You
This was a documentary about menstruation. Though not all of it was in English, a majority of the experts were American, British, or Australian so their expert testimonies were given in English. It was an innovative and interesting look at what it means to be a woman and how we should take pride in our bodies instead of feeling shameful about a completely natural process. Also, be rest assured that there was funny animation because after all what film about menstruation is complete without it!
Kinematograf
This was a short computer-animated film, and honestly probably my favorite of the whole weekend. It was about a man who was trying to invent the kinematograf and his wife who was secretly suffering from tuberculosis. The animation was uniquely done and the film featured fantastic music. I am always surprised when animation makes me feel so much in my heart.
Rewers
This was a film that was to capture the dark side of womanhood. It is a newly released Polish film, set in post WWII Warsaw. In the story, a young woman who is living with her mother and grandmother falls in love with a man and then the story takes a dark turn. I was surprised at how well I was able to follow the film, despite there not being any English. I would really like to see this movie again with subtitles so that I could better understand what was happening.
Boze Cialo: Corpus Christi
This was a documentary made by Adam Sikora, one of the most famous people in Polish film. It told the story of Silesia, the state in which I live here in Poland. It featured both the young and old. The young sharing their dreams of a better a life through rapping, and the old wishing for the days of communism, for the days when they could feed their family. I was shocked to see the poverty and depression of this area because it is nothing like what I live in here. I was reminded that I really am working with the upper class in Poland.
All in all, participating in this film festival was a great experience. The only regret I have is that is rained on Saturday night so I didn't get to watch a classic Polish love film over the river. I was going to sit in Czech and watch a movie in Poland. How stinkin' cool would that have been!!! I hope another opportunity presents itself to do this before I come home. And regardless I will wear my cool new t-shirt and carry my sweet new tote with pride.
Blessings,
Colleen
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