Halloween

Friday I volunteered in the school, and was lucky enough to be able to help out with 1st class. Centers are just now starting to be used here, and our school is testing them out in 1st class. It is pretty interesting to see their take on the whole thing. When I think of centers I would normally think of children working more independently than they are in the Irish classroom. Their centers are set up so that their is a teacher at every table, and the students rotate around the room. The drawback to this is that if one teacher is out it throws them all off. For example, I have been helping out the days I am there because one of the teachers was out both days. (they seem to be in a panic when this happens) I think that their main purpose for centers is to differentiate the learning. I don't really see much, other than in this classroom. I was surprised to see that they weren't really focusing on the independence that can be fostered through centers. I think that a lot of the students in the class could benefit from that type of environment (of course I have only spent a short period of time with them). It is interesting observing it all, and then trying to make judgements on whether they are open to suggestions. I think that time will only tell, but I would love to work with them more on this.

Friday night I gave Catherine, Naoise, and Aoife a spin up to her Mom's house to meet Paul. Then collected Taylor and we went to dinner. After dinner we hung out with William for awhile, and then met friends in Glenville (which is between our two villages) before heading into Cork City.

Saturday Taylor and I went to lunch, and then hung out at William's for most of the afternoon. Saturday night we decided to go to Killeagh where one of our friends lives with a group of people, and then go out in Youghal. It was fun night, but early morning for me since I had to be back to leave for Dublin with the family in the morning.