Village School and Reading

I went and visited a village school. This had a very different feeling to the schools in Akhaltsikhe and Tbilisi. There were a total of 40 students in the school. Many of the students who attended this school were from families who were farmers. I went to a fifth grade classroom, where there were only four students in the class. It was interesting to see the fire place in the classroom. This classroom also served as the computer lab, which did have internet service and a projector. We got to see an English lesson. The students first interviewed each other in English and then they reported out on what they learned about the other person. Then they began a lesson on Shel Siverstein's, "The Giving Tree." Afterwards, they completed a word sort. Then the bell rang.

Irma teaching to her class of four.

I was a little shocked to see these images from the Georgian Orthodox Church in the classroom. When we talked to teacher, she mentioned that the entire population of the school is Georgian Orthodox. The teacher from the school in Akhaltsikhe said, that they could not do this in there school because there are Catholics, Muslims, and Georgian Orthodox students in the classroom.

We then went back to the school in Akhaltsikhe and taught a first grade class. We got to read to them. I read "Are You My Mother?" and my partner teacher, Wendy, read a Elephant and Piggie book. This was fun and I enjoyed being a teacher as opposed to an observer. Afterwards we played Baby Shark with the students, which is similar to "What Time is it Mr. Fox?" and then we taught them Duck, Duck, Goose. Then we got to see the biggest birthday celebration I have ever witnessed in a school. They put foot long sparklers on the cake and lit them. I do not think this would be allowed in Milton.

Meeting the Teacher and Students of Akhaltiskhe #5

Mitlon Bear, Me and the 4th Grade Class

Milton Bear, me and the 8th Grade Class.

The teacher:

Today I had the opportunity to watch an amazing teacher. After all of the talk about how the education system here in Georgia is very tradition stand and deliver and memorize rote facts, I saw a teacher that promoted group work and presentations. Students were doing group work, giving presentations and seemed very engaged and happy. It reminded me very much of the work that I see teachers do on my house. I even had to laugh because she was correcting students on putting words on presentations that they did not understand. I have heard Ms. Endres give the same critique to my students numerous times. I was also very impressed with the content the 8th grade students presented on their favorite TV shows and the 7th grade students presented on environmental issues. This may be my American ignorance, but I was shocked to see them presenting on environmental issues. At the end of the lesson, the teacher gave an impassioned plea for bike lanes in Georgia to help cut down on green house gasses. And given the way people drive in Georgia, I would be very hesitant to get on a bicycle and ride the streets of Georgia. Another thing that was impressive was the vocabulary of the student explaining such complex issues in a language that was not their own. I could not envision any student in Vermont giving the same quality presentations in a language other than English.

 


The students:

The students were awesome. They were very courteous and curious. They asked me about my favorite TV Shows, DC vs. Marvel, and music. During the 8th grade presentation about TV shows here were their answers:

In order of most popular:
Flash (3)
Georgia X Factor (2)
Shadow Hunters (2)
Teen Wolf (2)
Harry Potter (2)
Georgia Dancing with the Stars (2)
Once Upon a Time (2)
Prison Break
Grey's Anatomy
Shannara Chronicles
Arrow
The Legends of Tomorrow
Umaru
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D
Flat 18 (Georgian Sitcom)

Sometimes they watch the shows in English and sometimes they watched them dubbed in Georgian.

Another thing that was interesting is that one 7th grade class asked for my autograph. I felt like a celebrity of sorts.

Below is a video of Happy Birthday and part of a presentation on Harry Potter.

8th Grade Art Work

8th Grade Presentation

4th Grade

4th Grade

Miton Bear and 4th Grade eating Salt Water Taffy from New Jersey

Student Presentation on her favorite band. Look familiar?

Milton Bear 4th Grade

Public School in Tbilisi

Outside of the school.

**Be sure to view my Instagram Account to see students in action in chemistry, reciting the alphabet, and at recess.

Today I went to visit a public school in Tbilisi. It was very eye opening. On the outside of the school wall there was a bunch of graffiti. When I went inside, parts of the school looked like any other school and other parts where in disrepair. Throughout Tbilisi, it is not uncommon for the outside of the building to look run down, while the inside of the building is well kept.

I visited a 10th grade chemistry class and we walked into see a few elementary school grades. There were a few things that struck me, when we walked into the classroom, all the students rose from their chairs to greet us. When students spoke in class they needed to rise to address the class or the teacher. 

In the chemistry class, they were worked in groups to mix different chemicals to make the colors of the rainbow. It was cool to see the periodic table in Georgian and other science posters in Georgian. Can you understand what they are saying?

Video:

Periodic Table.

Recess/Gym

Stage/Theater

These are pictures from the elementary school. They did not look too different from our elementary school classrooms. The elementary classroom where all just redone. It was really nice to heart them count to 10, recite the alphabet, and tell us their name. 

Georgian History, Georgian College Students, U.S. Embassy

I had an interesting day learning about Georgian Culture and History. Here are some of the interesting facts.

• New Years is bigger than Christmas. On New Years Santa Clause comes to your door with gifts. It used to be a snow man that came to the door, but now Santa comes.
• On New Year, the first person who comes through your door is very important because that person will represent the type of luck you will have all year.
• On your birthday it is your responsibility to make your own cake. Everyone comes to your house and you host a Supra (a party). This must be held on the day you were born no moving the date for convenience. So if your birthday falls on a Monday you celebrate on Monday.
• The biggest birthday is on your Golden Birthday - when the date you were born matches your age.
• Easter occurs in May. It is a very religious holiday.
• On Easter people go to their loved ones graves and have a small Supra. This is similar to Dios de los Metros
• On Friday before Easter you dye eggs red.
• You give people even flowers for good events and odd flowers for sad events. 
• All police building are made with glass to show transparency. This was done in 2003 with a new president who fired all police officers and replaced them with new ones to end corruption
• All 18 year olds must join the army.
• David the Builder was the greatest king who reigned over Georgia's golden age in 11th-12th centuries.
• The first European's were Georgian.

The above picture is of Ivane Ckheidze, Lela Okromelidze, and Sopio Nadiraze. They were above of the FLEX program which is an exchange program that brought these students to the United States for a year in high school. I was very impressed with all of the students. They were very inspiring. Lela, in the middle, has accomplished more in her short life than I have. She is on her way to becoming immunologists. She is working to cure Visceral Leishmaniasis, black fever, which is the second leading killer to malaria. Sopia, on the right, is working towards a degree in archeology. The two woman face an uphill battle as many women are not expected to be in these fields but due to their experience in the US, and more importantly their hard work, they have been afforded many opportunities. 

When asked to compare Georgian and U.S. schools, they said that they liked the amount of choice offered in US school to pursue their own interests. They liked that Georgian schools had more of a community and friendly field. One thing they did not like about Georgian schools was that there was too much testing. They also mentioned that in Georgia that there is an expectation that you go to university. If you do not go to university you will not get a good job.

Teachers use Facebook a teaching tool and to set up learning groups.

There perception of US students is that they are good at procrastination and that they do not take advantage of all the opportunities given to them.

I would love to bring a student from Georgia to Milton through the FLEX program.

U.S. Embassy

In the afternoon, we visited the U.S. Embassy where we got a security briefing and learned about the different education programs they offer.

Milton Bear Overlooking the City

Milton Bear enjoyed his tour of Tbilisi seeing all of the old churches and modern architecture. In the back drop is the Bridge of Peace.

Milton Bear's Flight to Munich

Milton Bear enjoyed his flight to Munich. On the way over he had his dinner at midnight. He ate spaghetti while watching Star Wars. Each seat had its own entertainment system that included movies, music, and games. Milton Bear enjoyed playing the word games.


Milton Bear's Passport Stamped in Munich.

Ready to Go!

Milton Bear is packed and ready to go. The adventure starts tomorrow. First stop Washington D.C., then onto Germany, Georgia, Greece, and back to the U.S.A.!

See below for a more detailed itinerary.