First Day at International School of Belgrade

The kids had a half day today, so I went in with Vicky to see how her kindergarten classroom works. I am finding that a lot of the things I did in the states is very similar to the things done here at an International school. Two of my favorite things I am finding is that everyone is one board. All of the teachers talk with each other and know what is going on all over their school. The principal here makes sure the school is all connected and on the same page. I really enjoy coming in because everyone is very welcoming. Another one of my favorite things is that this school is very up to date with their technologies. The kindergarten classrooms have a blog where parents and the students can read about what the students are doing online and they also can comment on all of the work students are doing. Also the students type on the computer; just one sentence and then print it off and draw a picture that can go with their sentence. They love it and it is very simple; one student a day will type their sentence as best they can. Also in the classrooms there are projectors, so the students can watch videos on how to make Eric Carle's artwork instead of watching the teacher all the time. It has really helped me to see the different things teachers can do to incorporate technology into the classroom, but also be appropriate at the same time. 

Jannie has a BLOG This is her Teaching Blog - if you look at her blog list, you can see her separate blog lists and you can look up Alek's blog as well (he is in 6th grade) All of her middle school students have their own blogs for Science. It is great how much these kids know when it comes to technology!


Alright back to kindergarten: Their reading program and the Scott Foresman Phonics part of the reading program are very similar. They teach the students the letters and sounds along with movements. At this school they use the Jolly Phonics Program: http://www.jollylearning.co.uk/, or http://www.jollylearning.co.uk/jp.htm The Jolly Phonics is a great program that has lots more movement when teaching phonics. Like when teaching the letter f teach the students to squish a balloon in between their hands like they are letting the air out and make the f sound. The students really get the sounds; even the students who are autistic because they can learn the letter by learning the movement or sound. It is really neat. It incorporates the Multiple Intelligences (http://www.thomasarmstrong.com/multiple_intelligences.php) with Phonics. It involves movement, letter symbols, sounds, and acting out the phonics. 

I have really enjoyed being in Vicky's classroom and am really happy she has given me this opportunity to learn new things, so I can use them in my classroom one day again!