Labor Day (US) - First Classes (HU)

It seems strange to know that Labor Day is happening, but not where we are. It was a normal work day here in Kispest. Except that for me it was the first day for me to have classes. Last week Tuesday was mainly the opening ceremony, followed by written and oral placement tests that we teachers had to administer and evaluate. On Wednesday I accompanied the new 9A class on two of their field trips, one to a wild animal park and the other to a science museum. I enjoyed the day's relaxed feel and got to know some new colleagues a little bit better. On Thursday I went to school in case I had classes to teach, but I found out that my Thursday schedule is only 9th graders, and they were still enjoying some field trips. On Friday Cindy and I accompanied my former 9th graders, now 10D, on a trip to a former hospital in the caves under Buda. It is now a very good museum displaying how the hospital functioned during World War II, then became a Nazi strategy center, back to being a hospital during the revolution of 1956, and lastly an air-raid shelter in the event of a nuclear attack.






Today I really enjoyed meeting my three groups of 9D students, made up of 24 boys and six girls. Yea, girls! (Remember, last year we had 25 boys and zero girls.) I told the students that we are really a family for the whole year. Actually, they will be together for five years, but I did not say anything about the length of my participation with them. One of my "family" themes in these first days is respect; the students' respect for me is great, but they really must learn to respect each other. One thing that bothers me is when students laugh at the mistakes of others.

First day oddities:
*When I unlocked one of my scheduled classrooms, we found no chairs, and every table was stacked with new books. We ended up meeting on benches out in the courtyard.
*I had to sub for a sick colleague. When I arrived in the room there were nearly 30 boys and 16 tables and chairs. Fortunately the class master came by and took half to another room. (This class of 12th graders will not be in my schedule this year.)

Hungarian I learned today: "Kész vagyok." (I am finished.)

Coming up: Hamburger Party on Saturday with 10D boys, celebrating nine August birthdays.