Different kids same old tricks

It happens every time I enter a new classroom. Whether it is on the slopes, the beach, or at school kids are kids. None of the kids have been bad, as a matter of fact they are so polite in New Zealand and greet me every morning, "good morning Miss Kathryn, have a nice day." I love it. I love the pleases and the thanks yous. I love the "excuse me miss" or the "thank you miss," but I found that kids are all the same. At the age of 8 and 9 the students in my classroom do not realize that they each have similarities and differences. 

In New Zealand everything is so relaxed. There are no rigid schedules. Students are encouraged to be creative and think outside the box. One of my students wrote a 10 page fully developed story with characters, a plot, a climax, and an ending in 2 hours because she felt like it. Not that kids don't do that in the US, but it was the first time I've seen a student fully have the attention of her class. Apparently this was the 5th installment in her series and her friends begged her to write more. There is no better reward than watching the faces on every student as they listen and encourage each other.

"Quitting is not a word we use in this classroom" my teacher told a student. This mentality is not only seen in the classroom but throughout the school and from what I understand it is prevalent in other schools around Auckland. This is demonstrated in Garden-to-Table. This is program in my school allows students to plant vegetable seeds, nurture them, and cook them once they are harvested. Although I was demoted from planting seeds to killing/weeding, the kids are genuinely interested and excited about seeing the entire process.

Today I got to go to Mr. Kilsby's garden. He is a world renown ceramic artist and has the most impressive garden I have ever seen. The colors, the statues, the paintings, the pots; this garden is amazing. The kids were so invested in what he was talking to them about. He was so welcoming and tried to help the kids think of ideas for the garden they will be planting around their soon-to-be-opened fehrle. 

Each time I step into the classroom I feel genuinely welcomed in. Not just by the students but by the teachers. There is an adjustment period where I am not sure how to act of if I am doing the right thing but I feel like I am becoming a staple part of the school's week.