Getting to Know Miss Lovelace

I cannot believe I have already completed two of the six weeks of my first placement. Time does fly by when you're having fun! Today I decided to give my students a taste of my life and where I'm from. I made a PowerPoint with pictures of a world map, a United States map, my family, things I like to do, etc. As I discussed the maps with them, I was surprised at how much they actually knew about America. They knew that the 50 stars on our flag represent the 50 states. They knew that Barack Obama is our President who lives in the White House in Washington, D.C. However, they did think he was only our 3rd President, but who's counting?! They knew of the bigger cities and what each has to offer. I don't even think kids in America really understand things about their own country... these Aussie kids would've blown 'em away! My favorite things to share with them was how LONG it took to get here and all the differences between my home and their home. They couldn't believe that people were still asleep in America (12am) when we were discussing the time difference at 12pm today. I also got responses as, "You're so lucky to live in America... that's where they make all the movies" and "My mummy says that I can't go to America by myself because it's a dangerous place." It is very interesting to see how they really view America. I think TV has a large impact on the way others view our country. I then talked about my family and favorite things to do. They commented that they thought I looked like my mama and they had tons of questions about my dad's hook. I had a picture of my cousin Katie and me on one slide and one of the kids said, "Is that your sister? I can't even tell who is who." I showed them pictures of my favorite things to do. I had a picture of me at my first 5K run and one of the little boys commented by saying, "You have a good shape." I was confused about his response and told him to explain. He said, "I mean, you have a nice body (moving his hands in an hour glass motion)." I about died! I didn't know if I was flattered or worried that he just commented on his teacher's physical appearance. I also shared with them that I love Elvis, but they were confused because he was dead. I told them that all the Pringles in the world are made in my hometown and one little boy said he would eat Pringles everyday just so he could remember me. I was pretty thrilled with the enthusiasm and questions I got from teaching them about me. I hope they were able to understand where I come from a little more and that when it comes down to it, we are not all that different. Not only does this international experience affect me in a positive way, but it also broadens their knowledge of culture and life as well.