|
|
I will always remember the IPDS trip to Italy. The amount of experiences, educational tools, friends, memories, and cultural differences that I have learned and made, has made me overwhelmingly proud and honored that I received this opportunity. So I don't go on and on about everything, I'm just going to do what teachers do best and organize my thoughts in bullets.
How to travel:
Teaching:
I know that this wasn't as much as a heart post but don't worry I'm getting there! The plane rides home were very sad because of course we were leaving Italy, but also because now all those experiences are now memories to put in the books. When I finally got home, my parents had surprised me with balloons and ice cream cake. It was so nice to be home and having my home food. Nothing could ever replace it. As I slowly start seeing the rest of my family I get more and more grateful of what I have and what I have been able to do. I have learned so much from my experience that it's hard to explain in words. The teachers at the Torremaggiore School were so helpful and supportive will everything. They wanted the best experience for us, and made sure we had the time of our lives. And trust me, we did. They made us feel like family, and a part of their culture. It was such an amazing experience, that I will cherish it forever. And I hope that one day I can have my own students, and colleagues feel that at home and emerged in the classroom as they had me.
0 Comments
January 20th we had a wonderful filling breakfast at the hotel, then we made our way to the sea. We got on a boat that transported us the to Isle of Capri. The view was amazing, breath taking, and once again photos cannot capture its beauty. It was funny for me, because I grew up having a boat, so riding the waves weren’t anything new for me. Although for many of the others, it was a new experience. So watching them trying to stay upright, walk around, or when we would hit the waves and they would scream was very entertaining for me. As we got closer to the island it got more and more beautiful. We arrived in port and I was in shock of how great the island was at even 9am. We then walked around the shops that were open. Most of the stores weren’t open because they were closed for the winter, since the winter it isn’t much of a tourist destination. Then we took a boat tour around the entire island. The ride got very rough as we were in the Mediterranean Sea, but it calmed once we got back in the inside part of the island. After that our tour agent took us up to a beautiful viewing sight where you had to walk us a private street, and try not to be too loud or disrespectful because a lot of high-end people live in that area. Once we were done basking in the beauty, we went back to the center of town and had lunch. After lunch we had free time to shop and do whatever we wanted. After picking up more souvenirs that I didn’t need, we left the beautiful island. We made our way back to the hotel, for dinner and anything else we needed or wanted to do. Tomorrow will be another relaxing day, then Monday we’re coming home! I can’t believe how fast it has gone, and how many amazing stories we have to tell. We said a very hard goodbye to our host Señor Grossi from the B&B, and made the long ride to the other side of the peninsula. We first went to the Pompeii ruins, and took a guided tour. What I thought was the most interesting was that they didn’t start uncovering the ruins until the 18th century! The last time Mount Vesuvius erupted was around WWII, and they said that they only way they had warning that it was about to erupt because an American War Pilot was flying over it as saw it was starting to erupt. So he called the US, who called Pompeii to warn the people. The volcano is an explosive volcano so there is not much warning time to prepare for an escape. So when the people of Pompeii were first living there they had virtually no warning The ruins were very interesting, and very depressing actually. The bodies were actually preserved from the rock and plaster was used to locate the body holes, and form of the people. There was a lot that was actually preserved from back then. I also found out that in the Ancient times the Romans were very smart, and comical. They had rooms for all of their shops, spas, laundry mats, full kitchens, communal bathrooms, brothels (signs in the road and the building to show where to go), fountains, banks, holes in the rock to tie up the horses, stones to walk across the street if it was flooded, etc. There was so much there in this little area, and it was amazing how much they were able to uncover. After when we were done in Pompeii we went to this amazing restaurant, and then made our way to Naples to go shopping. When we went to Naples we saw the “Veiled Christ,” it’s a marble carved art work, that shows what the artist thought what Jesus would look like when he was laid to rest with the veil on top of him. We weren’t allowed to take a picture of it, but it was beautiful and the artistry was beautiful. Once we were done, we made our way to the hotel. The hotel is beautiful! It’s a great relaxing place. My room was very lucky that we got three separate beds. The girls with four to a room have bunk beds in their room. We had a late, delicious dinner, and went straight to bed. I’m super excited for tomorrow because we are going to the Isle of Capri, which is supposed to be the most romantic island of the Mediterranean.
Being here has truly been an amazing experience. I have learned so much from this experience and I have made so many good memories. Today we sadly had to say goodbye to our school (San Giovanni Bosco School). We said our first goodbyes to the dogs that have followed us around the whole time we were here (Black- Winston, Brown- Churchill, they are best friends, and Tan- Balto, newest addition). Then we headed over to the Mayor’s office. We were able to ask him questions and thank him for all he has done for us. Next we headed back to the school were we met back at the our teachers and said goodbyes. They gave us a school t-shirt and a baseball cap. They played music for us and they cheered for us. The principal said thank you to us and then we sang one last time for the students. Then we said goodbye to our classes, took pictures, and signed autographs. It was so sad to leave them and they were sad to see us leave. Being in this school has been so inspirational and helpful for my future teaching. I was mostly in the 3rd grade classroom, and my teachers have inspired me so much. Their class was go great and wanted us to teach and sing the whole time. The teachers have inspired me to be the teacher that students want to come see, learn from, and be there for them when their having a hard time. The students were so amazing and willing to learn. Teaching in Torremaggiore has been an experience that I will never forget. And now that I am moving on to student teaching and applying for jobs, I will take all the things that I have learned and be able to apply them. Having classrooms that are welcoming, and using their own creativity to learn from each other. Even when we observed a music class they use music in reference to real life. The one teacher stated (translated) “There is no such thing as complete silence, because you will always hear your heart beating.” I thought that was one of the much beautiful and factual statements here. No matter how much you have to zone in on a project, test, or a lesson plan, you always have to listen for your heart because that is what keeps you alive and who you are.
Thank you Torremaggiore for giving me a sense of peace, inspiration, confidence, and passion to continue teaching students not only music but teaching them to be well rounded people and to love one another. Thank you Torremaggiore for everything. I will truly miss you, and I hope to return again soon. Last night (January 17) we went to a Medieval Dinner provided by the Borgo Antico Association. Men and women welcomed us in traditional attire, and everything was set up like it was in the past. The teachers and students were given “flower crowns” or a floral headdress, and later Jimmy received a headdress that the students usually wear when they graduate from the university. Everyone was welcoming and they had us sit and prepare for dinner. Everything on the table aesthetically represented the medieval or traditional times. Even the water bottles were covered up with a cloth bag to make it look more pleasing. They explained to us that traditionally the people will eat fruit as a “pre-meal” but now the fruit is used as a desert. The first actual course was a chickpea soup, then it was a spitzel like noodle with butter and oil. While we waited for the next the group of people started dancing traditional dances. Then there was a belly dancer that danced a few numbers. Then they had us all out there dancing, and enjoying ourselves. Then we had our last meal of genuine sausage and potatoes. For our desert they gave us real cannoli’s, and almond candy. We danced the rest of the night and then we said our goodbyes. It was so nice to be a part of a culture and seeing the culture that some of my ancestors grew up in. Being here in Torremaggiore and being a part of this culture has brought so much love to me. Yesterday (January 16), we were lucky enough to experience music, poerty/ drama, and art is represented in the schools and community. In the morning we ran a music class for the early childhood students (I think they were around ages 3 or 4). We sang their Ciao song, which some students remember from a previous class, then we did various activities that included the microphone for call and response, scarves to show time and flow, and a drum to distinguish rhythm patterns. The students were so good, and they sang along beautifully. After we were done, the teachers had them create their own instruments to show heavy, medium, and light sounds. The students would fill their cup with a dried lima bean, sunflower seeds, rice, or a piece of paper, then tape it together and have them shake it. The students then did rhythms using the shakers to see how much weight was being used and how that effected the sound. After their one rhythm pattern, we realized it was the "Let's Go Buffalo" pattern. So Krissy taught them the words and we had the students chant it with the shakers.
After music, we went to the Torremaggiore High School and saw the high schoolers perform a play dedicated to William Shakespeare. They did a fabulous job showing "Midsummer Nights Dream," "Romeo and Juliet," "Macbeth," and "The Tempest." They apologized for their English, but they wanted to keep it as original as possible, which was so sweet of them. They did a great job with their performance, and their English. They then celebrated us by giving us a contract/ diploma of our connection to their town. We had so much fun in the high school and the high schoolers we so grateful for having us come. Next the teachers from the elementary school took us on a tour of the churches. The churches here are so beautiful, and the attention to detail is amazing. They told us the history and who the church was dedicated to. The one church was in a fire, and the body of Jesus was burned. They made a replica of it and have both the burned and remade on on display under the altar.
When Katie's lesson was done, we reviewed the song, and I had them sing "this land was made for you and me." So the students had to follow along in the music, until they see their part. When I would get to that part I would cue them to sing. The students did very well following along with the song.
On Thursday, we were able to teach in a castle. YES A CASTLE! WE TAUGHT MUSIC IN A CASTLE, IN THE THRONE ROOM!!!!!! It was such an amazing experience, and it was just a liberating teaching moments. We taught the 5th grade class music and we started with the Ciao Hello Song. Then we had Jimmy read the lyrics to Brianna's "On Thanksgiving" song. We had the students learn the song, and then had them sing it in a round. We also taught them the song "Joshua." The students weren't as excited with that song but they were able to do everything that we had them do. We also had them sing "This Land was Your Land." We then closed with the Ciao Hello song, but we changed it to goodbye. Then students were so happy to have us that they actually had us sign autographs!! THEY WANTED AUTOGRAPHS!!! Like that's crazy! We're celebrities in the town, Saturday we were actually in the newspaper!
Today we took a beautiful excursion to the Lesina Lake and the Adriatic Sea. First we went to a lake (Lago di Lesina) that was actually formed because of a earthquake and tsunami many years ago! There was a very long pier that went out to the middle of the lake were you can still see a building under water, and the cross on top is for all the people that died during the tsunami. As the teachers got coffee the rest of us took pictures along the water, and posed for funny and candid pictures. We then made our way to the coast of the see the sea! When we got there, some of us went and ran through the water, and some of us went to peninsula at the end and picked up marble, lava stones, and shells from the coast! Then we all engraved something in the sand. Today was a great relaxing day for us, and it was such a great time to see something so naturally beautiful in person. The pictures obviously don't do it justice, and I hope that I can come back again in the spring or summer. Over the summer they bring out tons of tables, and chairs to bring people down to the water side. They also have paddle and kayaks like canal side in Buffalo. I am so happy that I went out to see it, and it makes me excited for the small excursion at the end of our time in Italy.
Torremaggiore is soooooooo beautiful! The town is nice and small, and the people are amazing. They are so amazing, and caring. The town is small but it has so much history! There's a castle that sits close to my bed and breakfast, and inside we took a tour of the museum that explains the history of the town, castle, and the area surrounding it. The museum showed really neat artifacts that were found and preserved from the people. There were coins, jewelry, water jugs, and smaller tools that they may have used. Then we went into the throne area, and saw where they have community events, town meetings, and other stuff. The throne is where we had a music class with the 5th graders, the next day. During one of the days here in Torremaggiore, a few of us decided to wonder the town during the "siesta," a time where all of the town closes, and people spend time and lunch with their families from 2- 5pm. So during this time since we didn't want to sleep or blog, we went on an adventure. We walked up and down random streets and followed the view. and trust me it was worth it. If anyone has a chance to come here it is truly relaxing, and beautiful experiences. The town is so quiet and really gives you the chance to look back at yourself and be so grateful of how much there is in the world.
Yesterday, (Friday) we went on a tour of the old parts of the town and got the history behind the buildings. It was so interesting to see how the town became the town it is today, and how its still ever changing. Also, for being a smaller town, it has so much history in the small area. People always joke about to "stay on your toes" and "be ready for anything." Never take those jokes for granted! Teaching at Buffalo State's daycare has definitely helped me with classroom management and changing things on the spot.
Yesterday, we went into our assigned classroom and had an "interview" with the students. They would ask us questions like; name, age, where we live, our family, what do we like, and more activities. Then we were able to introduce our book that we created for them. Katie Jordan and I wrote a book about different things they can find in the U.S. and it went to the song "This Land is Your Land" by Woodie Guthrie. I sang the song for them (only the chorus), and they loved it. We then introduced Katie Welch's book about family. So then the students did a coloring assignment and they had to draw, and label their family in English. When the students were done they had to present their families in English to one of us teachers. Once most of the children were done with their drawings, we taught them the Ciao, Ciao a Tutti song (Hello to all of you). We taught them the song in both Italian and English, and they loved it!! They were singing it when we were leaving the classroom too. The students loved the music so much that the teacher asked to do more songs. I sang "You are my Sunshine" and they thought it was beautiful. We recapped with the professors and then had lunch with all the teachers on the school! The teachers were so nice, and even though the all spoke in Italian, we were still able enjoy food with them. We then planned what was going to be happening today. We asked questions able what would be happening, and how to plan correctly for the class. Today we went into our classroom and was ready to teach Katie J and I's lesson... or so we thought. We can in and got set up. The teachers told us that they were talking about winter in Buffalo, and they wanted to teach our book about winter. Although, our book is not about winter. So we got Krissy and Christine's book which was about Buffalo's Winter. We did the Hello Song again for a refresher and had the students sing their names. Then we read through their book. Now we were trying to think of an activity that went along with our original book, and still went with the book we just read. So we had them color a landscape, with trees, snow, and snowmen. We sang "Frosty the Snowman" to explain how a snowman can look. They thought it was the coolest thing because they were able to make as much snow in the background as they wanted. Then Dr. Shea did an activity which was to make their own snowflake. The students were a little confused on how to cut the snowflake, but after a few demonstrations they got the hang of it. They then wanted to make more snowflakes so it would look like a snowy day like Buffalo. The teachers wanted another song to go along with the snow theme, and I knew a few but didn't which activity I could do that would be musical for them. Thankfully, Dr. Renzoni came in and saved the day. We taught Winter Wonderland, and had them sing rhythm patters, improvise rhythm patterns, and be able to sing "Walking in a Winter Wonderland." The teachers also let us use the sleigh bells from their music room. So the students were able to sing and jam to that song. So even though we didn't end up doing our actual planned lesson we were still able to teach a lesson. Staying on your toes is so crucial to teaching because you never know what will happen the moment you walk in the room. You never know how the lesson will go, or if the students are paying attention to it. Being ready for anything has been the theme for so long. I am so happy that we were able to make a plan on the spot and have everything work out in our favor. Grazie a Dio! |
AuthorI am a Senior Music Education Major. My primary instrument is saxophone. Besides teaching and music, I love to take pictures and spend time with friends and family. I hope to graduate this upcoming May, and get a job teaching a wind ensemble or a general music classroom. During my time in Italy, I hope to learn more about the culture, and how people interact with each other. Italy has always been a destination for my family. We have heard stories from family friends how amazing it is and places to go. Being able to go to Italy and be able to teach what I love with students is truly a dream come true. ArchivesCategories |