So, this week I was at Gascoigne Primary School for four out of the five days (and St. Peters RC Primary on Thursday). It was really nice to go to Gascoigne because it's only a twenty minute walk from my house and I worked in the same two adjoining Year 2 classes for most of it, so I got to know the kids and the curriculum and projects they are currently working on much better than if I'm just in a place for a day or less. Even better, they called me back in (on Friday) for Monday and Tuesday of this week (the teacher was ill late last week, and doesn't expect to be back yet at the beginning of the week) so I have lesson plans to look at over my leisure over the weekend, rather than diving in cold Monday morning. Currently the kids are preparing Tower of London information pamphlets in preparation for a class trip to the Tower next month, so I am learning some things about the Tower that I never knew before. For example, did you know that:
a) there was at one time a mint in the Tower?
b) two young princes were murdered there, allegedly by their uncle Richard III, in the thirteenth century?
c) in the 17th century, one of the kings (I forget which one) was given a gift of a polar bear, and thereafter they kept a zoo there?
d) the crown jewels are housed there, including the coronation crown?
e) Hitler's deputy, Rudolf Hess was imprisoned there for four days in 1942?
f) the yeoman warders (who have acted as defenders of the crown jewels, prison guards, and are now tour guides to the many visitors who come each year) are also known as beefeaters? (if anyone knows why, please let me know....)
As I learned about the Tower of London this week, it made me want to go visit it myself to see all the pieces of history stored there. Maybe on my holiday in two weeks I'll make a visit.
Another thing I learned this week was how much difference a few words can make to engage a class. We were doing math, and I was asking children to come up to the board to show the answers, and I could see kids fidgeting and eyes glazing with boredom. Taking a different tack, I said, "Who wants to be the next contestant on my game show?" Suddenly all the eyes lit up and everyone's hand went into the air. "Oh, me! Me! Please miss!" Me!" I tried it with the other class I taught, and it worked like a charm there too. Everyone sitting up, being absolutely silent and watching carefully. Wow....there is a lesson I will not forget.
Yesterday, I went into London again and explored around Portobello Rd Market. There were antiques there, new goods, fresh produce and baked goods, vintage clothing, artwork, and people. Just crawling with people, so much so that if you wanted to walk 5 steps from the middle of the street into one of the shops, you had to maneuver carefully so as not to collide with the 50 people between you and the door. The only place in Canada where I've seen comparable crowds in such small spaces is at Pacific Mall. I found lovely wall hangings there, made by an Indian man. They were made out of different pieces of batik all sewn together like a quilt, and then embroidered and beaded very intricately. Very beautiful, but as I didn't have 20 pounds cash on me, I passed it up this time. I may go back again later. After the market, I walked down Kensington Church St. toward the Whole Food Market (a foodie paradise I visited before) and stopped at Waterstone's the British equivalent of Chapters) on the way, where I picked up a set of Roald Dahl books (they're all the rage here, every classroom teacher reads Dahl to her--or his--students, and I have rediscovered a love for Dahl's quirky, very creative and imaginative stories as well), as well as the first Diary of a Wimpy Kid book (in an attempt to educate myself about some of the popular kids books around), and a Europe travel guide. I made it to the Whole Foods Market where I picked up some gourds (for decoration) and a pumpkin pie (for the lunch at the Mennonite church today) and some lovely-looking spinach and blueberries.
Today I'm going to the lunch/service at the Woodgreen Mennonite Church. I look forward to going back and getting to know some of the people there better over food. Tomorrow I work for the day, and then the Canucks in our house are going out for Canadian Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow night at The Maple Leaf in Covent Garden. I'll be thinking of you all tomorrow. Have a joyous Thanksgiving!
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