School's back (nearly)

Two weeks has flown and it's back to school in two days. I found out today what most of my allotment will be for next week (finally), I get to teach Year 11 History (Yay!), but they are yet to give me one other class. What will it be? (PLEASE, not some junior* class!!!)

SO... any great activities for teaching the Cold War, just let me know.


I'm now thinking of claiming my Summer trip to Cambodia as a work-related tax deduction (visited the Killing Fields to see the extent of Pol Pot's devastation on the country - direct result of the Cold War). Don't know if I'll get away with it...

*US translation: junior refers to Yr 7 & 8 (13/14 year olds)

Relaxing?

- my city (on a brighter day than the ones this week!)
I've spent a week doing not much - and it has been so lovely! I've cleaned the apartment, cooked, rearranged furniture, slept, had my niece and nephews for a sleepover (cleaned again after that!), slept some more, spent time with friends and stayed up late to watch Wimbledon (the final started an hour ago and it's now 12.45am). I really should go to bed.

Another week of holidays, but I have marking and planning for next term to go. The difficulty with work is that I'm not even sure what classes I'll have!

In the last two days of term, our senior history teacher left the school for another position so the school has two weeks to cover his two classes. I've been asked to take one of the classes, but I haven't been told which class yet, which is a little ridiculous. The Year 12 History class is "Revolutions". They study the American first then the Russian. I'd be focusing on the Russian revolution, which I've studied, but I know nothing about the American Revolution (something about taxes?) and I'll have to help the class revise for their final exam. The Year 11 class is 20th Century History post 1945, which I feel much more equipped to teach because it was my University major. Regardless, I haven't taught either before and will need time to prepare. When I know what I'm teaching, I'll be asking for help. Any history teachers out there?

I have been teaching two Year 10 and two Year 11 English classes this year, but it looks like I'll be losing at least one Year 10 class in favour of a Year 11 or 12 History. I hate changing classes mid year. It's not fair on the kids (especially if they get a dud teacher. I'm not the most brilliant teacher in the world, but I do okay and the kids like me). I've also started preparing for next term, which is annoying. But I understand the school's priorities. It's easier to cover a Year 10 English class, than a Year 12 History class.

I hope I'll find out in the next day or so. Call me a control freak, but I just can't quite relax until I know what the deal is.

Better go to bed, falling asleep, can't tpye prporely. Though Federer is about to lose Wimbledon for the first time in forever.

'Till next time!