First Day of School

Today was my first day at Ulaajuk School. This is the elementary school in Pond Inlet. I am working with a teacher by the name of Kate who does ESL2. She gets most grades for a thirty minute period a day. During this time she does a variety of activities to enforce English as a second language. Today I observed numerous novel studies. One of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, one of Beezus and Remona and one of Mouse on the Motorcycle. The upper grades did this, while the younger grades worked on phonics. Tomorrow is another observation day and Wednesday I am starting to actually teach. Kate is an amazing teacher and I feel like I am going to learn a lot from her. It's a different experience than being stationed in a certain grade level, but I feel like it is a valuable opportunity to have and that I am really going to enjoy it. One thing I feel like I might struggle with is making plans for such a short period of time and for a younger level than they are actually at. Most children in a grade are lower than their grade. For example, grade six is more like a southern grade three or four. I'm sure I will be fine, it will just take some adjusting to and practice of keeping this in mind.
The atmosphere of the school is very relaxed and friendly. I felt right in place. The kids are adorable. I feel like the further north you go the cuter the kids are. I was scared that all the kids would speak to me in Inuktitut, but most approached me in English. Some didn't but it was a good opportunity for me to practice what little Inuktitut I know. I was proud of what I actually remembered. So far I can say yes (eee), no (akka), let's go (atee), good morning (ullaakkut), your welcome (Ilaali), thank you (Nakurmiik) and how to answer what is you name? (kinavuit). The kids are curious just like anywhere. I was bombarded with a million questions. Their favorite ones seem to be whether I have a boyfriend or if I am married. I see over 100 kids a day so learning names is coming along slower than usual. I guess I will just have to make introductions a part of the daily schedule for the next little while.