So I have written that I am teaching Night. A few days after passing out the book. One of my students came to school with a pretty amazing anecdote. He said that he had been reading the book in the tram, and an old man approached him. The old man asked him if it was the first time he read the book. My student said yes. Then the old man said that everything in the book is true and that he had been in a concentration camp.
Wow.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Teaching Night
I ordered the book Night by Elie Wiesel in the beginning of the school year. I have found that this book with a compelling message and a jarring exposure of not so distant history is enough to enrapture even the most resistant readers. I taught it during both my years of teaching in the US (it is fairly universally on the Freshman English curriculum) and I understood that my students would be at about that equivalent level. What I failed to consider is the protective nature of Swiss parents, especially when it comes to violence.
So I realized that I need to tread lightly. I talked to my students about the prospect of reading the book - I wanted to find out if any had a reaction against it, even personally talking to the younger and/or more sensitive of my students. I do not want to expose kids to something that they think they are not ready for. Then I discussed it with my principal - he supported me.
Another argument for teaching the book is the not so subtle undercurrent of intolerance that I find in my students. They can be quite nasty - as children can be- when it comes to issues nationality, race, religion, and sexuality. I am not usually one to be become so worked up - it takes a lot. But when I hear my students saying incredibly insensitive and disturbing things with the confidence that they are right, it does incense me. This is an the aftermath of a very anti immigrant election with undertones or racism. A popular image was a group of three white sheep then a black sheep being kicked out.
So, I see Night as a book that can be used to teach methods of tolerance, and help students become a bit self reflective. Hopefully, that will learn to question. What am I saying? Why am I saying it? How does it impact other people? Why is it dangerous?
We will see.
So I realized that I need to tread lightly. I talked to my students about the prospect of reading the book - I wanted to find out if any had a reaction against it, even personally talking to the younger and/or more sensitive of my students. I do not want to expose kids to something that they think they are not ready for. Then I discussed it with my principal - he supported me.
Another argument for teaching the book is the not so subtle undercurrent of intolerance that I find in my students. They can be quite nasty - as children can be- when it comes to issues nationality, race, religion, and sexuality. I am not usually one to be become so worked up - it takes a lot. But when I hear my students saying incredibly insensitive and disturbing things with the confidence that they are right, it does incense me. This is an the aftermath of a very anti immigrant election with undertones or racism. A popular image was a group of three white sheep then a black sheep being kicked out.
So, I see Night as a book that can be used to teach methods of tolerance, and help students become a bit self reflective. Hopefully, that will learn to question. What am I saying? Why am I saying it? How does it impact other people? Why is it dangerous?
We will see.
I´m Going to Egypt
So, I have been a negligent blogger for the last few weeks due to being both very very busy, and being continuously sick and tired. I seem to pick up every cold, every stomach bug there is. Or to be fighting ongoing illness. However, I have not stopped thinking about blogging. Every few days, something happens and I think - hey, I should write about that. So now I will put a string of tidbits from my life for the last month up.
But before I look to the past, here´s to the future! I am going to Hurghada, Egypt on Friday for a week. I am very very excited for this adventure. It all started when a coworker mentioned that she found a last minute deal to the Canary Islands during our two week Feb. vacation. That got me thinking - maybe Jan and I can find a last minute deal. So I brought up to Jan, we looked at the possibilities, and then we decided - naw, not the right time. His big exams are 4 weeks away and he has to devote himself to studying. As for me - I do I have German class which I would miss. So we were good and decided at a future date and time we can travel.
Then , to my surprise, Sunday night, Jan said - ok, we need a vacation. At first we were into the Canary Islands, but it turns out that Egypt is cheaper and offers more for the money. So we are going! I have to admit I had some reservations going to an a potentially volatile region which the American Embassy recommends against traveling to. Let´s find a quote: U.S. citizens who still plan to visit the Sinai in spite of the persistent threat of terrorist attacks should exercise great caution. Ok, so I am not visiting the Sinai (Well, there is a slim possibility that we will check out the pyramids - I mean, they are the pyramids. But the prospect of 5 hours in a police escorted convoy across the desert is a bit off putting.) but after some research I found out that in 1996 60 tourists were killed in Hurghada - that is where I actually am going. So despite the allure of Ancient Egypt - and it is alluring, I have decided it may be best to stay in my hotel complex and enjoy the sun and the ocean. That prospect doesn't sound so bad.
But before I look to the past, here´s to the future! I am going to Hurghada, Egypt on Friday for a week. I am very very excited for this adventure. It all started when a coworker mentioned that she found a last minute deal to the Canary Islands during our two week Feb. vacation. That got me thinking - maybe Jan and I can find a last minute deal. So I brought up to Jan, we looked at the possibilities, and then we decided - naw, not the right time. His big exams are 4 weeks away and he has to devote himself to studying. As for me - I do I have German class which I would miss. So we were good and decided at a future date and time we can travel.
Then , to my surprise, Sunday night, Jan said - ok, we need a vacation. At first we were into the Canary Islands, but it turns out that Egypt is cheaper and offers more for the money. So we are going! I have to admit I had some reservations going to an a potentially volatile region which the American Embassy recommends against traveling to. Let´s find a quote: U.S. citizens who still plan to visit the Sinai in spite of the persistent threat of terrorist attacks should exercise great caution. Ok, so I am not visiting the Sinai (Well, there is a slim possibility that we will check out the pyramids - I mean, they are the pyramids. But the prospect of 5 hours in a police escorted convoy across the desert is a bit off putting.) but after some research I found out that in 1996 60 tourists were killed in Hurghada - that is where I actually am going. So despite the allure of Ancient Egypt - and it is alluring, I have decided it may be best to stay in my hotel complex and enjoy the sun and the ocean. That prospect doesn't sound so bad.
Monday, December 24, 2007
December Update
December was a busy month full of sickness, work, Christmas market and parties, and getting ready for the December 30 wedding.
I am currently in Boston for Christmas and the wedding festivities, but I heard a great cultural conversation in the airport:
Army guy 1: Yeah, I am looking forward to being back in the states
Army guy 2: Yeah, I want to be where everything makes sense.
Army guy 1: Yeah, it will be nice to be in a place where words have 7 letters instead of 24 and you can actually read the signs.
Very obnoxious guys swearing and speaking loudly - but pretty funny.
I also had the pleasure of being sent to Agricultural Customs because I said I had stolen in my bags. Luckily for me, the kids ahead of me had a full suitcase of wine and the nice customs man let me go without any searching.
So, my first six months in Germany have come to end!
I am currently in Boston for Christmas and the wedding festivities, but I heard a great cultural conversation in the airport:
Army guy 1: Yeah, I am looking forward to being back in the states
Army guy 2: Yeah, I want to be where everything makes sense.
Army guy 1: Yeah, it will be nice to be in a place where words have 7 letters instead of 24 and you can actually read the signs.
Very obnoxious guys swearing and speaking loudly - but pretty funny.
I also had the pleasure of being sent to Agricultural Customs because I said I had stolen in my bags. Luckily for me, the kids ahead of me had a full suitcase of wine and the nice customs man let me go without any searching.
So, my first six months in Germany have come to end!
Friday, November 30, 2007
End of Nov. Update
Between seasonal angst, work, German class, and working out, I haven't had much free time. Things are going quite well, but not perfectly.
School-Some good days, some bad days. I often find myself asking how kids can be so cruel to each other! Middle school boys are not my favorite demographic. Of course some are wonderful, but the bad ones really can be tough. It will be nice to have a break. I am attempting to increase student interest with cool projects etc. We'll see!
The train - continues to be somewhat a hassle. These days I pass out in the morning so it is mostly a blur then try to read my German romance novels on the way home.
Birthday - Was lovely if low key. I feel old.
The gym - I have become obsessed with the gym-it's quite nice, never too crowded etc. But the best part is the spa. Three different rooms - sauna, steam room, and a sanarium (cross between a sauna and steam room.) After working out, it is very relaxing to lie around in the heat. In between spa sessions there are Roman style rooms with recliners to sit in. You can also put your feet in cold water or go outside (which many German people do but not me) I am still not entirely comfortable with the nudity (it doesn't help that our landlord attends the same gym - haven't met him yet.) Going from working out with people to seeing them naked is quite a jump. Of course I avert my eyes - But my goodness.
The only problem with the gym is getting there. By bus it takes 30 min each way, by bike 10 but not ideal in the dark at 0 degrees Celsius. Luckily are neighbors with a car drive me several times a week...but I would go more if it were easier to get there.
German class - I actually had Jan complain about my teacher. It helped, she no longer yells at me for no reason. I was starting to be quite angry during classes. I have never had anyone flip out at me for doodling during class or browsing through the text book. This is a very controlling woman. My German is getting better and better. My classmates are all very interesting and come from a huge range of countries and cultures. Sadly, we move quite slowly, but for 1 euro per hour I can't complain.
That's about it! Oh...and the weihnachtsmarkt opened on Monday! But that's another update.
School-Some good days, some bad days. I often find myself asking how kids can be so cruel to each other! Middle school boys are not my favorite demographic. Of course some are wonderful, but the bad ones really can be tough. It will be nice to have a break. I am attempting to increase student interest with cool projects etc. We'll see!
The train - continues to be somewhat a hassle. These days I pass out in the morning so it is mostly a blur then try to read my German romance novels on the way home.
Birthday - Was lovely if low key. I feel old.
The gym - I have become obsessed with the gym-it's quite nice, never too crowded etc. But the best part is the spa. Three different rooms - sauna, steam room, and a sanarium (cross between a sauna and steam room.) After working out, it is very relaxing to lie around in the heat. In between spa sessions there are Roman style rooms with recliners to sit in. You can also put your feet in cold water or go outside (which many German people do but not me) I am still not entirely comfortable with the nudity (it doesn't help that our landlord attends the same gym - haven't met him yet.) Going from working out with people to seeing them naked is quite a jump. Of course I avert my eyes - But my goodness.
The only problem with the gym is getting there. By bus it takes 30 min each way, by bike 10 but not ideal in the dark at 0 degrees Celsius. Luckily are neighbors with a car drive me several times a week...but I would go more if it were easier to get there.
German class - I actually had Jan complain about my teacher. It helped, she no longer yells at me for no reason. I was starting to be quite angry during classes. I have never had anyone flip out at me for doodling during class or browsing through the text book. This is a very controlling woman. My German is getting better and better. My classmates are all very interesting and come from a huge range of countries and cultures. Sadly, we move quite slowly, but for 1 euro per hour I can't complain.
That's about it! Oh...and the weihnachtsmarkt opened on Monday! But that's another update.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
More Train Adventures
Two train incidents that were noteworthy:
1. As Jan and I were returning from the city the other night, (in honor of the first snow I skipped German class and we bought a Starbucks hot chocolate to share - a decadent but wonderful splurge) our stop was announced and the train slowed down. Then it stopped. I had been watching for the platform, but we weren't quite there yet, so I stood back assuming the train would pull up. Well it didn't. Jan took the lead and jumped about three feet down to the rocks below. Then the other passengers followed suit. Ridiculous.
2. The German trains were on strike again this week...Thursday and Friday. I checked ahead of time to see which trains would be running then headed out, certain that I would make it to Basel. Well, the train didn't come. And it didn't come. And it didn't come. Being a generally bad morning person, I had waited until the last minute to get out of bed and groom myself so I had soaking (as in not even towel dried) hair, that I had put in a chic side part low pony tail. Well, as I stood, the pony tail quickly saturated my shirt. It was about -2 Celsius - in other words...freezing. After waiting for an hour, the train arrived. And I did not thaw out the whole day.
Yes, the suggestions for tights is a good one. I am going to invest in some wool pants as soon as I am in the US were clothes actually look good on me. And due to the weak dollar don`t cost as much.
1. As Jan and I were returning from the city the other night, (in honor of the first snow I skipped German class and we bought a Starbucks hot chocolate to share - a decadent but wonderful splurge) our stop was announced and the train slowed down. Then it stopped. I had been watching for the platform, but we weren't quite there yet, so I stood back assuming the train would pull up. Well it didn't. Jan took the lead and jumped about three feet down to the rocks below. Then the other passengers followed suit. Ridiculous.
2. The German trains were on strike again this week...Thursday and Friday. I checked ahead of time to see which trains would be running then headed out, certain that I would make it to Basel. Well, the train didn't come. And it didn't come. And it didn't come. Being a generally bad morning person, I had waited until the last minute to get out of bed and groom myself so I had soaking (as in not even towel dried) hair, that I had put in a chic side part low pony tail. Well, as I stood, the pony tail quickly saturated my shirt. It was about -2 Celsius - in other words...freezing. After waiting for an hour, the train arrived. And I did not thaw out the whole day.
Yes, the suggestions for tights is a good one. I am going to invest in some wool pants as soon as I am in the US were clothes actually look good on me. And due to the weak dollar don`t cost as much.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
Friendly Germans
I take it back. One of those non smiling, mono syllabic coworkers took it upon himself to introduce himself to me. A formal, hello I am so and so, including a hand shake. Then he started smiling and initiated a conversation. So strange. This is a man who I have seen three times a week for the last two months and was hesitant to speak with after he got very upset when my notebook was on his desk because I was using the computer (school computer) which was also on his desk. Anyway, it turns out that he is a fellow commuter and takes the cheap o trains like me. So maybe now I will have somebody to chat with on the train sometimes.
In other news it is freezing and I think my toes will fall off, but I have to go back into the drizzle for another fun and illuminating German class.
In other news it is freezing and I think my toes will fall off, but I have to go back into the drizzle for another fun and illuminating German class.
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