A Nebraskan Teacher in Kuwait

A Nebraskan Teacher in Kuwait

Was planning to write another post about teacher stuff(this post) and I thought maybe my blog should be called Nebraskan Teacher in Kuwait but when I said it in my head, it sounded like a personal ad.  Which reminded me of Haiti and THIS.

Adjective practice in Beginner's English last summer, in Haiti.

The 3 Little Fishes

Working on irregular plurals in class.  The ones that don't change they found hilarious. "5 sheep?!," one said. Another guessed, "wolfs," when I asked for the plural. Person to people befuddled them and when I went over fish some thought I was lying. That is the reason we spent a week going over how to make plural nouns. My students are adapting classic fairy tales and a couple changed the classic The 3 Little Pigs to The 3 Little Fishes. 

Some of the nouns I picked are rare like oxen, cacti and di (I think I learned the singular form of dice only a few years ago) but I need to stump some of my higher kids sometimes and unbeknownst to them they are being prepped for an I Have Who has activity. 

#IHaveWhoHasLove 

After School Club

We met 7 times. Twice all 4 boys showed up. Twice only 1 student attended. The other three times, 3 came. Low turn out, but I loved Math Game Club.  I hope to do it again next year. It was a great way to learn some new games I can use in class, get to know my students in a different environment and make a little extra cash.  We had our final meeting last week, so I brought out a few of their favorites and this new one. 

Fraction Bump. We used a paperclip/ pencil spinner.

We always play for points and the winner gets to pick the Go Noodle brain break, at the end. You'd think it was a jumbo candy bar they get so excited.  It saves me the money and time of having to buy a prize.

Dominoes War.  We did the addition and subtraction editions.

My least favorite game, Multiplication Twister.  They like it though.

Math Jenga.

Miss Macgyver

Just call me Super Teacher.  My student raised his open hand up to me and looked expectantly at me. Inside was his broken eye glasses. They were missing the pin that holds them together.  I said "George, (names changed to protect the identity of those involved) I don't think I can..." "...just give me a minute." And before students had unpacked their bags and shuffled to Morning Meeting, I had strung a paper clip through, twisted, clipped and yanked out an eraser to safety-fy the sharp ends. Ta-da! All in a day's work of Super Teacher. 

He went the whole day like this.

Super Hero Stance
We actually did just finish up a 3 week "Super Reader" challenge. So we have been doing this attention grabber in class where I yell out, "Super...!" and they respond, "Reader!" and give me a super hero stance.  Then I repeat and they repeat and they change their stance.  Good times.

One lucky Super Reader in every class received a "Super Reader" cape.

The countdowns are on.

I'm Now an Official Kuwait Resident

Self Control

Sometimes I just can't stop from laughing at some of the antics of my students. For example, when one decides to dive into a rolling somersault to get a ruler or when one throws up an arm and let's out some strange noise. In the middle of a lesson. They have so little self control. But, sometimes I display lack of self control, too. Like when I laugh out loud in response or let them see the steam rolling out of my ears. 

My blurt chart is a success. Yes they still blurt, (either shenanigan from the previous paragraph would be considered a blurt because it distracts the class), but they are more clear than ever what blurting is and I can deal with the issue in a speechless way. Every day they start with 3 warnings. After the third, if they blurt again they owe me some recess. Each student who is struggling with blurting also has a personalized goal sheet for the week and if they meet their goal they get a small reward.

Not my actual chart, but basically, the same.

The desk and cubbie fairy has been making appearances lately.

I love this.  We are studying urban, rural and suburban communities.
It's labeled "Urben New York", but it is so reminiscent of Kuwait's sky line.

Plugs and Extension Cords

I have installed 4 power strips in my teeny-tiny home to make it functional. One in my bedroom and kitchen and two in the living room. One for the living room and another is wrapped around the corner going into the bathroom so I can actually use a hairdryer in there. The bathroom was built without an electrical outlet. It's not super attractive, but serviceable and practical.

Unfortunately, this week, something happened to the only outlet in the laundry room. So I had to unplug everything in 2 of the power strips and string them together to plug in my machine and wash my clothes. I'm trying to decide if I'm actually going to buy another power strip. 

Dust Storm 

We had a sand storm. I thought it would be this dangerous thing that if I got caught in it, flying sand would de-skin me. But instead a cloud of dust just descended on the city.  People wore masks to try to keep it out of their lungs. It wasn't pleasant, but it wasn't that big of a deal. Recess was canceled, but then we had to stand out in it for 20 minutes to release the kids at the end of the day. I don't have anything to compare it to, so maybe that was a mild one.

A picture from the local newspaper.

Twisters, Earthquakes and All Things Me.

At the beginning of the year, we read Twisters on Tuesday from the Magic Tree House series because of the Nebraska connection, tornados, and I knew that would be a good series for many students to read on their own. It's pretty rewarding that anything I read automatically becomes a class favorite. 

One of the good behavior rewards students can pick is Read Aloud. If they present me with this card, I will read the read aloud of their choice to the class for the day. One girl picked Earthquakes in the Early Morning, also by Mary Pope Osborne. It takes place in California so I also have a connection - birth place- there. Natural disasters are pretty interesting anyways, but they listen utterly captivated when I talk about any parts of my life in America. 

I made (err... edited a template I bought on Teachers Pay Teachers) a book called All About Your Teacher and it's fun to see them read it during Read to Self or Read to Someone.

Beautiful and Painful

The day of the dust storm was extremely hot because the dust trapped all the heat in, but after that is has cooled down quite a bit. Tuesday, I think the the high was only 87. It is literally painful for me to stay inside when the weather is so beautiful. "Come outside," it beckons. My neighborhood is not walker friendly for various reasons. So, I queried the local Fb group for decent places to walk. And now I'm exploring the list I gleaned. I'm delighted that I have friends willing to investigate with me. The first place I went was Fintas park.  It's right on the gulf and pretty, but quite short (I'd guess, about a 1/4 mile one way).  It only cost 1KD to get there, which is a plus. If I'm desperate to get outside, even alone, it's a good option. But I'm hopeful I'll find something better.

It was around 115 degrees everyday when I first arrived, 2 months ago.

It rains here?! I didn't know.

Internet

I have a hot spot/ mini router/ biscuit now.

This means I have Internet all the time.  Before, I had a normal sized router with a sim card in it.  I was taking it to and from school everyday so I could have wireless in my classroom. The hotspot is much easier to transport (and it doesn't get as many laughs) and I don't ever accidentally leave it at school (which is a big disappointment) since I never have to take it out of my bag. 

Resident

I am a resident of kuwait, officially, now. I have my civil ID. So now I can get internet, check, and a drivers license.  I am not planning on getting one at this point.  They are a lot of crazy drivers here and I wouldn't be saving any more money getting one versus taking taxis. 

Stomp.

Stomp is a joyful, witty and wordless show that has been seen all over the world. An eight-member cast with energy to burn creates beautiful music and sly humor with found objects: Zippo lighters, push brooms, wooden poles, hammer handles, garbage cans, inner tubes, matchboxes—and yes, even the kitchen sink.

I went to this last night. It was in the ice skating rink downtown.  It wasn't a fancy or large venue but it had a nice concession stand located in a locker room. Evidently, most things that come this way go to Dubai so I'm glad I jumped at my chance to go. Me and a friend thought we coordinated the buying of our online tickets.  But it turns out that was not the case. So she sat a few rows ahead of me, by herself (and I sat alone, too). It wasn't a big deal though. The 5 o'clock show had a family atmosphere. I enjoyed myself. 

How old are you?
My students have been asking my age since school started. I said I'd tell them on my birthday. Every few days they ask me or tell me my birthday is getting closer, so there was this anticipation to find out my age. So on Thursday, I had each of them make a guess and submit it. Half way through the day I made a graph with all their guesses and then revealed my age, which none of them guessed correctly. They guessed I was between 22 and 38.

Sleep, Eat, Teach, Study. Repeat.

Taking Pictures and Having my Picture Taken. 

Went to Al Kout mall to do some grocery shopping and relax a bit. I took these pictures.

A ship at harbor is safe, but that's not what ships are for.

As I was snapping some of these I noticed a family taking pictures.  The husband was taking a picture of his wife with the kids and vice versa so I asked if I could take their whole family's picture.  The husband understood and said yes.  So the wife arranged her abaya, hijab and face covering and I snapped their picture.  I find it amusing that she would care if her picture was taken since you can't see her, but I could tell from her eyes that she was sweet.

Then they asked if they could take my picture. With their camera.  A little awkward, but I said sure. We wished each other a good night and I said goodbye to the loving family. And that is how I missed my opportunity to take a picture of an Arab family with their permission. I wonder if they were from somewhere besides Kuwait, because I had the impression they hadn't interacted with a westerner before.

Flax Seed Insomnia. 

Did you know Flax seed can cause insomnia? After reading about the benefit of this superfood, I ate two tablespoons of them, ground up. Then, I laid wide awake for over 5 hours.  In the morning, less than 2 1/2 hours later, I did a little research and found that Omega 3 oils, like those found in flax seeds, can cause, in some people, insomnia. I think I'm in that minority. 

If this was a health food blog I might go on about how I am also incorporating coconut oil, Apple cider vinegar and ghee into my diet. #myattempttobehealthywithoutexercising

Resolv-ing.

Not doing so well at last weeks resolve.  I spent a little less time doing school work at school but a lot more time at school. But, I think I may be moving in the right direction.

In other school news, I am using the cookie sheet that was too big for my oven (I did buy a smaller one) to create a 'Stop the Blurt' system. Each day students will get 3 blurt warnings, before they face some serious consequences like the loss of recess. I have to find some way to crack down. We are going to try this.

Foodie.

I found out they sell Lassi (the Indian yogurt drink) everywhere here. It's inexpensive, called Laban and so good. I also got a large jar of roasted eggplant today. Very good in small doses. Couscous, which has been a staple in my kitchen for some time, is really common here.  I bought a kilo today for 3 dollars. I do really like the food here.

Sleep, Eat, Teach, Study. Repeat.
Not a really noteworthy week because I was so, so busy with school, then busy with my grad classes on Friday and then with my Arabic class today, Saturday. 

On the way to the Avenues.

But I did spend the rest of today at the Avenues.  Where we saw these 24 carat gold iPhone 6 cases.

I have completed my third Arabic class. It's fun. We learn a few phrases and a few letters every week. Here is some of my homework. And my first name in Arabic.

It's E Break

Language Learning

I started a Primer Arabic class. It's the class before Beginners. Lol. So, I got my first back to front book, wrote my notes from right to left, learned 5 letters and 2 phrases including their appropriate replies. I'm taking the classes at the AWARE, Advocates for Western Arab Relations, center. I also picked up this watercolor, on a whim.

#firstdaymomento

We meet once a week for 6 weeks, but not this week. 

Staycation

It's E break or Eid. There are a few Eids, this one is Eid Al-Adha and it is a remembering/ celebrating of Abraham's willingness to, and God's provision of, a sacrifice.  I hear, it's one of the most important religious holidays.

 

I'm still feeling good about not going anywhere for break. I didn't feel like going anywhere else right now. I'm tired and I already booked my Budapest and Prague trip for December. Most of the other new teachers are having fun in Dubai, right now, though.

New Things

Food

Halloumi, cheese you can grill, is awesome. Halloumi, hummus and falafel are on my current food favs list. Yogurt, too. Thick, plain yogurt is common and inexpensive here. Tried Hawala, but it is not on that list.

Sometimes I just buy things because they seem weird. 

Hair

I got my first hair cut in Kuwait. It's hard for me to say what I want ina  hair cut anywhere, so to someone who speaks broken English, or probably more accurately just English from an Asian country, it's even more difficult. Long story short, it's fine, it's just hair.  

There is an upscale salon close to our apartment that is 20 KD for a haircut, which is 70 dollars. Most of the new teachers have just went there. Many have said that's about what they pay in the states. Well, I go to the cheap haircutting chains and pay around 15 dollars, so to me it seems steep to spend that much on my hair.  I went somewhere else and paid 3 KD. Though I paid 2 KD for a taxi ride and 1 KD for a tip.  All and all, I paid 6 KD, or 21 dollars (each Kuwaiti Dinar is worth $3.50). 

Recycling

It's ironic because I don't know of anywhere I can take things to be recycled, but I visited this park made of recycled stuff.

Tree love. My hometown is the Sandhill crane capital of the world, says one sign.
But, maybe this is a flamingo. Which would make more sense, for Kuwait.

Movie theater, mini soda cans, and a Toll House cafe.

Things I miss

Walking

Before I came, I was worried of feeling isolated because the norm for me is to go places alone and to walk outside... alone. Well I can go places alone and I don't feel too isolated because I can schedule a driver, or call one and they'll pick me up in 20 minutes. But, I do miss my walks! It's not like you can't walk to places but, you walk on garbage sprinkled sand (there are no sidewalks in our neighborhood), I get stared at and undoubtedly one of the many clusters of foreign men will try to talk to me. I've also been hearing safety warnings from different taxi drivers. Not to mention it is still over 100 degrees every day. :(

Maybe I'll get a treadmill. It won't be the same, but it would be something. If I wait, I can buy a cheap one from a teacher who is leaving. 

Fall

I miss trees and grass and fresh cool air. And I know it's fall, my favorite time of the year, in much of the world right now. Technically it is fall here, too.

Fall in Kuwait does not look like this.

Or this.

These sum up my fall, so far.

School

School has been in session for 23 days. 

After break, there will be 47.5 more school days until Christmas break (minus an in-service and parent teacher conferences). Kind of wish I hadn't figured that out. Those are kind of depressing numbers.

We Like Each Other

I still spend too much time waiting for my class to get quiet, but we like each other, we have fun and we learn stuff.

We Come from 6 Nations, We are Loud and We Talk a Lot.

Goals

I haven't been doing too well on my blog announced goals.  Visit 360 mall, Walk to the gulf from my apartment, and Workout 3 times a week- are still unmet. 

This week I have an excuse. Progress Reports happened. Friday was not a weekend day here, this week, either.

I did go to Marina mall and I watched the Giver. 

Did my grocery shopping at a grocery store within an even different new-to-me mall.

Felt strange taking my shopping cart up in the elevator.

Want to make pumpkin and leaf shaped sugar cookies for my class.
This new cookie sheet it too big for my oven, though.

Juice. It's cheap and there are so many varieties.

I got my passport back so I could travel during the upcoming break. So happy to have that option, but I don't think I'm going anywhere. I'd be going just to go, not because I feel like a new adventure yet.  

Things I've noticed
-No recycling options available. I've yet to hear of any place where I can take recycling. So I'm throwing away tin cans and plastic bottles and bags like its the 50's. It feels very wrong. 

- Golden Raisins are made from green grapes and they taste a little like crasins. My package says 'Fancy'.

-In Kuwait we use tissue as napkins. Like literally. The first day of school meetings, we used a box of tissue for napkins, at lunch, and I thought that is resourceful.  But it's normal.

A Small World

A student in the class next to me is from Nebraska. 

I ran into a Hungarian family on my Grand mosque tour last week.

Oh and for a tie in- As a Nebraskan drank her coffee at Kuwait's Marina mall Starbucks, she heard the song Budapest by George Ezra.

Coolest Starbucks wall. Ever.

School Stuff
I still get up work days at 3:10am and catch the 5:10am bus. I usually return home around 4pm.

Snapped this as I was waiting for the bus to leave in the morning.

We have two maids on our floor at school. They are there to clean the bathrooms and classrooms, as needed. They're wonderful. I find it interesting though that they douse the whole bathroom in water every morning. Then they squeegee it up.

People wear sunglasses here even inside. This makes it even harder to remember who is whose parent. Head coverings and sunglasses.

Broken Record

My kids are constantly starting their notebooks from the back.

Me- "When we are working in English, we start our notebooks from this side.(showing)"

I sound a bit like a broken record on many topics.

Me- "When you want to get the teacher's attention calmly raise your hands and...."  

Me- "1, 2, 3 eyes on me..." (Students-"1,2 eyes on you")

Daily Reflections

Sunday

Students- "It's picture day today? What!?" 

11 of them didn't realize it was picture day. Hmm. Is anybody reading my weekly newsletters?

Monday 

All 24 of my students have finally arrived back from summer break. We come from 6 nations, we are loud and we like to talk. A lot. 

At the end of the day, I have a throbbing so-tired-of-hearing-my-own-nagging headache. I decide I give this 2 years, and then I'll switch to learning support (aka smaller groups). 

Tuesday

Me- "It's a very exciting day today." drumroll... "It's the first day of fall!"- audible groans. They thought bobbing for apples sounded fun, though.

Wednesday

Me - "This is the best day ever, I love my job; my kids are angels and I got a new classroom rug(I'll have to take a picture)!" I decide I would do this for free.

Upcoming
No new goals for this week. Today, I am starting Arabic lessons.