Vitameatavegamin

I've done it. I've had vegemite for the first time at lunch. One of the teachers taught me the proper way to eat it. Spread a layer of butter on a biscuit (cracker) and then a thin layer of vegemite. She told me that most people don't like it because when they first try it they take a huge spoonful and plop it in their mouth. It was alright. I can't say I would purposefully have it again, but it wasn't terrible! Definitely a distinct taste! (Probably what I Love Lucy's Vitameatavegamin might taste like). Australian's aren't as obsessed with it as I would've thought. Some love it, some don't.

I also got to introduce myself to the rest of our classes. I think they enjoyed it greatly. Especially Year 7! They loved listening to me pronounce things differently and took great interest in the videos and pictures I took of Fishers HS. They were completely horrified at the idea of going to school from 7:30-3:00 with only a 30 minute lunch break. It was just great fun. They were also very interested in homecoming and football games. So many questions and comments. I loved it!

I am still concerned with classroom management here. I think the students are quite rude to Tarryn and I. They will carry on their conversations until their finished and then look to the front even after Tarryn has called them to attention several times. The school-wide method of dealing with chatty students is pausing until they stop talking. But I think this has them in the habit of completing their conversations and then giving attention to the speaker instead of stopping right away. I'm not too stressed because it's not MY classroom, but it is rude. I am wondering if this is what it's like in all classes and schools or just here.

Names here are quite interesting. I enjoy the fact that no student has the same name. In the states I had at least 10 Kate's, Emily's, Collin's, and Matthew's. But I can't quite place the origin of the names here. Helen explained to me that Byron Bay's names are unique since the people here are very hippy dippy, new age types of folks. So there are names like Kamisha, Akira, Jali, Casurina, Luka, Yemaya, Kiam, Suki, and Billie. I think they are actually really beautiful names, but difficult to keep track of.

During free periods, I worked on preparing the cloths for two sections of year 8 to begin stamping their Adinkra linocuts tomorrow. I am so happy Tarryn decided to adapt my lesson. I think it is going to turn out very cool! I also began sorting out my ceramic task for Year 7. I'm having them do Anthropomorphic Portraits. I figure I'll open with a funny video of dogs eating with human hands to begin talking about Anthropomorphism. Then we will look at the artist J.J. Grandville and his caricatures and Yago Partal's 'Zoo Animal' series. I'll ask what type of people might the animals represent and also talk about how personal accessories and clothing communicate people's values and personalities. Then they will select an animal and create a self portrait from clay. Just a little bust. I think it'll be fun for them! Margo, the other art teacher, reckons she'll give it a go as well after I talked her through my plans.

It was a little difficult to get up for my walk this morning since I yesterday was so physically demanding, but I'm glad I did! I saw a flock of Galah cockatoos!