Today was an interesting day, from both a foreign and domestic perspective. I started the day by chaperoning a field trip for a jazz band performance on the Good Hope radio station at the South African Broadcasting Company (SABC). The students were doing a live performance broadcasted around the Cape for the first time in school history. Apparently, I am a part of a lot of first time things on this trip (Jazz Band, Cross Country Meet, Special Robbin Island tour, and a few other things I can't remember).
Anyways, after taking roll and collecting permission slips, we left S.P. (South Peninsula High School) at 8 o'clock to arrive at the station at 9. After unloading, the students set up, tuned their instruments, and practiced for the following hour. The program was supposed to start at 10, I think, but due to recording checks and waiting for the host, a very charismatic Nigel Pierce, the broadcast began at 10:15 and lasted for about 50 minutes.
In between each piece, Nigel interviewed various students about their musical career, as well as myself. I thought that unnecessary as I was not a participant, but merely an American teacher who was asked to come along, possibly out of need and possibly recruiting anybody who was willing to lend a hand. Anyways, it was wonderful to hear the encouragement and pleas to help continue these musical talents post-school. However, the best was hearing (and in my case seeing) the love the students had for the music. They also demonstrated exemplary behavior and respect for the studio, as well as themselves. I was proud of this, as well as their outstanding performance... and I barely knew any of their names. Mostly, it was hecka cool for all of us (and I imagine definitely the students) to be in a recording studio on live air. It will be something we all remember for life!
After this, we returned to the school around 12:30. I did some research in the computer lab for a short while, then proceeded to my mentor teacher's classroom. I mostly observed and worked on lesson plans for a period, then returned to the computer lab to find video resources for my lessons next week. After school, I "helped" Dominic run the girl's soccer practice. It was a struggle for all of us, as most girls were not serious and there just for fun, and I have hardly any soccer knowledge. Basically, I worked on passing drills- forcing the girls to kick left-footed. I so badly just wanted to do some skill drills... but A. I'm not sure how to teach the skills. 2. I'm not entirely sure what they could handle. And D. We had 2 soccer balls to work with for my portion of the practice (Home Alone fans better appreciate that!). Next week should go better since I know a little what to expect and we should have cones and more balls for next week's practice.
Tomorrow, Day 3 shall consist of more observations since I wasn't really in the school today. I am also going to observe various class subjects and teachers. I really want to sit in on some Afrikaans language classes, as well as some math and business classes to sort out some cultural comparisons. All the teachers in the building seem very friendly, but eager for me only to view certain classes - I wonder if they only want me to see the best. Fortunately, I made a friend in a younger teacher (maybe student teacher - Kyle) who will help me sort out some things, especially as a young staff member. We shall see :)
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