Mi Horario (my schedule)

Schools days are very long in CHile. In fact, I wonder why they have to be so long all the time...since they seem ridiculously long. I was pleased to hear a teacher comment on the efficiencey of the Chilean system, according to a recent report. It isn´t efficient. Chileans spend alot of time in school, but the results are poor. I don´t have any numbers for you.

First of all, they day starts at 8:15am and goes until 5:30 pm. Students have an hour for lunch. STudents are assigned to a course. 1st and 2nd graders (freshmen Sophomores) are in the same class, meaning with the same group of people, for two years. Then for 3rd and 4th, they elect their specialty and they are with that class for the next 2 years. When I say with that class, I mean they are in the same classroom all day with the same people. Teachers move, students don´t. I like the unity it brings between students, but after that, I am not sure how productive it is.

The grading scale is 1-7. A blue mark goes in the book for 4-7 and a red mark goes into the book for 1-3. There is one book for every course. It is the bible for that classroom. In the book, handwritten, are contact information for every student, the level of education the parents have, behavior issues, etc. They even have a section for photos. In the book, every teacher has a section for general lessons, or activities, they did with the class and a section for marks. Because the marks are hand written...blue pen is used for blue marks and red for red marks. I think this is where the terms blue and red marks came from...pass or fail. It is also a visual for a teacher...to see where the red marks are and where a students may be stuggling.

The book does have a backup. Teachers put the grades into the computer, as there have been days the book has gone missing. Every couple of weeks, the inspector checks the book, putting a special stamp with his initials.

Students continue on whether they pass or fail a class. When they are assigned to a course, they are taking all the courses assigned to that course. So, the whole class will be taking Algebra 1...whether everyone is ready for it or not. This is where my questions of efficiency come in with the one classroom. For example, I have students in a class that can speak wonderful English and I have others that can hardly put together a simple sentence. If we had levels, I could make a better lesson for both parties. But, I guess we have that in the states too...it is always a struggle to bring diverse levels of learners to one point. This is when I realize I am still learning how to be a good teacher.

So, everyday is a different day for me. (every class period is 45 minutes. Two classes make up a block. After every block, there is a 15 minute break)
Lunes (monday)
We start out the day with a teachers meeting. This is done during school hours, so students have a free hour in the morning.
Then, I have class with 4th tourism. We go to a separate room where I work with half the class...so around 15 students.
Then I have two hours of Animation...which is the class taht is a cross between PE and summer camp.
Then, I have class with the other half of 4th tourism.
Then, I go to my own class, language for 45 minutes.
Then, I go home for Lunch at 1:15-1:30
I return to school at 5:30 for a small class with 1st graders.
Then,I come home and teach a private lesson.

Martes (Tuesday): My big day!
A block with 4th tourism
A block with 3rd secretary
A free block
Lunch with students
A block with 2nd E
45 minute break
History class for me 45 min.
then my after school hour with 3rd tourism

Miercoles (wednesday)
First block with 4th tourism
Second block with 3rd tourism
Then I walk home and help Angelica cook...or I just watch....then, eat.
Back to school for last block with 1st E (who are hellions)
The my after school hour with 3rd tourism....yes, they stay at school until 6:30 those days...

Jueves (Thursday)
Super easy day!

I have my history lesson
Lunch with students...then last block with 2nd A---and then another after school class with 1st graders

Viernes (Friday): half day for everyone...
A block with 3rd tourism.
Then my afterschool hour with 3rd and 4th tourism. However, this has turned into a take Jami on a field trip day.

Many days, especially now with the change of seasons, the number of students who stay after school are slim. I can completely understand, seeing how they have been at school for the entire day. Some students have long bus rides home...nearly an hour. Some practice sports, or just go hang out...sometimes they ahve homework to do or projects that demand more time. The other day, students skipped my class to copy 80 pages of a book. At first I thought they meant take notes on what they read....but then I saw their copies and sure enough, word for word! Why is what I continue to ask? What is the point? I am still waiting for a good answer. To me it is a waste of time...and FOME! (boring).

Ok...I am going to go study my spanish! Ciao!
jami