The More They Seem the Same!

The longer I am in the classroom the more they seem the same!  Having this cultural experience has shown me that although we live miles apart, students are students and their behaviors are not very different.  The classroom here is very similar to ours in the States. We have high frequency words listed on the walls, the number line, alphabet, long vowel word charts, etc.  The students are placed at tables with either 4 or 5 students at each.  The biggest difference is that the students call the teachers by their first name!? Very different from the States.  Also, the conversation is louder than we would prefer in a classroom.  Tisa uses a call and response of   "1,2,3 eyes on me" and the students are supposed to stop what they are doing and say "1,2 eyes on you!"  They don't always stop the first time as they don't really have any consequences.  This week the pillar they are concentrating on is Fairness.  A new behavior/reward chart has been placed at each table.  Each student needs to earn 1 hand each day in responsibility and fairness this week, then 1 each of the other pillars for a total of 14 hands.  There will be a reward at the end of the week.   The students are called to the rug or carpet for instruction and then released to their tables for instruction.