A few days ago, Mrs. Wagner and I spent the day at Eliza’s school. It’s just up the street from Ana and Zeno’s apartment. Eliza has been so excited for me to come, so this was an extra special day for me. We started and ended the day in her 1st grade class, but were also in one 2nd grade, two 3rd grade, and one 4th grade classroom. Some classes we were in were working on English with their English teacher, and some were in Macedonian with their regular teacher.
Remember how I told you that in primary school each class has 2 teachers, one in the morning and another in the afternoon? Well, another interesting fact is that you have those same 2 teachers from 1st to 5th grade, they just move up each year with you. The classes don’t ever get mixed up either, so you are with the same kids and the same teachers for 5 years. Isn’t that interesting? You can tell that kids and teachers love each other so much because they know each other so well!
Here is a quick video of Eliza in her classroom, then a bit about the Macedonian flag, and then some dancing during a “rhythmic” lesson. It was kind of like PE and music smushed together.
This is Eliza being adorable. She is in first grade, which is the youngest grade in primary school. Kindergartens are their own schools, and kids ages 1 to 5 go there. Kindergarten is optional (you don’t have to go) so it’s more like our preschool.
They have a room with a SmartBoard that the school shares like our computer lab. We got to see a lesson in there and the kids were so excited to come up and touch the board, just like you!
The kids did LOTS of performances for us. At the end of the year, they have a big assembly where the parents come and watch plays, songs, and dances, so they practiced for us. They were so funny!
The kids at this school work hard and are very respectful. They were so sweet and excited to show us what they have learned this year. They also smothered us with gifts all day! They painted pottery, made paper flowers, and drew pictures for us. I could barely carry it all home!
I really really really liked all the teachers at this school. They went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable. You can tell how much the kids love their teachers!
Being at this great school made me miss all of you and reminded me that I have the best job on the planet!
Xoxo,
Ms. W
Adventures with Ms. Westmoreland 
no offence, but why did you not go to a 5th grade class? I mean, you should see what EVERYONE (and I mean everyone, since you’re in Macedonia,) learns in school
🙂 🙂 😉 ;( 😉 ;( 😦 😦
the ;( were a winking sad guy.
🙂
I don’t think there was 5th grade at her school. It’s a bummer I didn’t see all grades, but I did see a lot!
oh. that is nice…
and it is a bummer.
even these little guys say so. 😦 😦 😦 😦 😦 😦 😦 😦
What do the teachers do when they aren’t teaching during the day? Do they use that for their prep?
Depending on the school you’re at, you are only required to be there when you’re teaching, but yes. I imagine its prep time if you have to stay. Some teachers overlap, too.
I wonder what happens if one kid moves away and there is an empty spot in the class?
I’m sure there is some small moves like that. Maybe a few kids move away over time and a few move in, but mostly the class just stays the same. It was really interesting and all the kids knew each other really well and helped each other with things. They thought our system of mixing up every year was really interesting and strange. 🙂