Classroom Management 101

A milestone was reached upon our return to school on January 24th. It became very apparent to me very early in my classroom observations in Negotino and in Probistip, and verified by almost all the PCV TEFL’s throughout Macedonia, that the students behaved somewhat like the characters in the novel Lord of the Flies. By this I mean there didn’t seem to be any behavioral direction for the students to follow, so they more-or-less behaved as children would behave, given no supervision. When I asked the Macedonian teachers if students were always so “uncontrollable”, they would respond that when they were in school under the Yugoslavian Government, things were quite different and discipline was not an issue.

So the missing key here in “Deadwood”, as I soon realized, was that the students didn’t really know how to behave and were ignorant what the teacher expected of them. To address this hole in their schooling, I put together a Power Point Presentation for Alexandra entitled “My Expectations in My Classroom”,“My“ referring to Alexandra. She accepted the idea and presented it to each of her classes (5th, 6th, and 8th grades) on their first English class of the New Year.

The topics covered in the presentation were: Do Your Own Work; No Leaving the Classroom Once You Enter; Be Ready to Work When the Bell Rings; Check the Chalk Board for Your First Assignment of the Day; Follow Our Classroom Rules As Posted on the Wall; Look at Me When I Am Speaking; Rules for Conducting a Class Discussion; Bring Your Handout to Class; When Another Student Is Speaking, Listen; Do Your Homework; Ask Questions; Comply With Our Noise Level Chart; Be Prepared to Answer Questions; and Listen and Learn.

These topics might seem rather basic, but each one of them was something that the students needed to hear from the teacher. So Alexandra spent the period explaining in detail what she expected in her classroom. Other teachers may have different or no expectations, but her English class would be conducted in compliance with her expectations (a new marshal in Deadwood).

The difficult part for Alexandra now, is to enforce and reinforce her expectations. It’s a lot of work initially to change behavior patterns and it’s tiring. She is letting the students know she means business and she’s getting wonderful results. The students, for the most part, have bought into her ideas. The students now come into the classroom knowing they can’t leave to wander the hallway and hangout near the water closet. They know they must be ready to work with pen/pencil, textbook and handout when the starting bell rings, not starting to get ready (they have a five minute transition time to get to their next class). They must check the board and begin their assignment while the teacher fills in the Dnevnik (another story). They know if they break one of the class rules (developed by the students themselves) they will write the rule out 15x’s in English and 15x’s in Macedonian for homework. They know they must face the teacher and look at her when she is speaking and not be doodling or daydreaming. They know they must bring their handouts that Alexandra and I put together to save time by eliminating copying vocabulary and grammar rules into a notebook. They know they must raise their hand to make a comment during class discussions and not just yell out their opinions while another student is speaking. They know Alexandra keeps a record of completed homework assignments. They know they should not be embarrassed to ask questions and that the teacher thinks they understand what she is talking about if they don’t. They know they must be silent when the teacher gives them a “One” command; whisper on a ‘Two”; indoor voice on “Three” and rarely, if ever, use the “Four” or “Five” mode. A “One” is the default mode.

So far the results have been wonderful. The students now have understandable guidelines and they are very content to follow them. I also have noticed Alexandra’s surprise and elation how classroom behavior has changed and she admitted that it’s fun to come to school with a new idea to try out on the students. She also knows from experience over the last few weeks, that initially it’s going to take a lot of effort on her part to reinforce and enforce her newly codified expectations. But she fully understands that her efforts now will result in a better learning environment for her students for years to come. It’s all up to her.

I challenged Alexandra last December to see if she could teach her lessons for the month of February without using the designated textbook that was selected to be used in Macedonia (and which I hate for many reasons – another story). Sadly, most teachers only have the text and workbook and no other resources and couldn’t accept such a challenge. We’re now half-way through the month and she has yet to use the textbook. Instead, she has devised some wonderful activities, found relevant websites on the internet, introduced the students to ThinkQuest on the computer, and used pertinent music and lyrics. I don’t doubt that she’ll make it to the end of the month and meet my challenge.

I’ve been busy building up a supply of teaching resources that the English teachers can use to supplement and reinforce their lessons. My son Jesse and his friends made a donation of a continuous ink-flow printer and supplies necessary to make laminated flash-cards, game boards and other materials that need to be protected for re-use. The materials will be available for use by any of the English teachers in Probistip.

I’m also completing “Operation Bottle Cap” so there will be a handy supply of manipulatives for working with students of varying abilities, from the simple making of the Latin alphabet to irregular verbs and opposite adjectives.

My next immediate goal is to conduct a workshop for all the English teachers during which Alexandra and I will present all of the strategies and materials that we have developed over the last two years. I’ve got to convince the manager of the schools here in Probistip to allow the teachers to attend. When the Ministry of Education sponsors a workshop, the managers and directors jump through hoops to insure teachers attend. Locally initiated workshops are unheard of so I’ve got to make a convincing argument to have one.

How’s My Liver Doing?

During this holiday season, a lucky member of each Macedonian family has the opportunity to be blessed with health, good fortune and happiness on Badnik (Christmas Eve). How? If you are the one to acquire the coin hidden in a piece of homemade bread given to you at dinner, then you will receive many benefits in the New Year. And if you are a male married during the previous year, you are afforded a SECOND chance to win such blessings. It happens on Voditci.

Voditci is the day commemorating the baptism of Jesus. In the Orthodox Christian community, there is a tradition whereby the local priest, after a short ritual ceremony, tosses a cross into a lake, river or whatever body of water is available. Recently (within the last year) married males from the village or town compete to retrieve it. This is the strict tradition in Zletevo but in many communities now, any adult male willing to confront the frigid waters, can participate.

The previous two years I attended Voditci in Probistip where the event is conducted at the town swimming pool because there is no lake or river in the Probe (see my blogs from January 2009 and 2010). This year along with David and our good friend Clavche, I went to the nearby, (15 minute taxi ride) town of Zletevo where they have a river. At 6AM we set out and were among the first to arrive at the site on the Zletevo River where the ceremony would take place. The only ones there before us were the individuals warming the rakija and tea and the individuals setting up the sound system. This gave us the opportunity to get the best spot to take photos.
Traditionally, men from the community contribute to the rakija pot and so there is plenty of the stuff to go around and it’s free. So in order to meld into the community as envisioned by the Peace Corps, at 6:45 AM I had my first rakija of the day solely to be “one of the guys” (AKA “peer pressure”). In 64 years I had never had a 104 proof alcohol so early in the day but its warmth and sweetness was comforting on a cold winter morning. Plus the men in the town were pleased to see that I was participating in one of their beloved traditions.

We were told that the ceremony would start about 7AM, so IAW Macedonian convention, people started to arrive at 7:15 and the ceremony began at 8:15. Time is an approximation, not an exactitude, here in this wonderful country. But since my fingers were pretty numb from the cold, I was glad when the priest and his entourage finally arrived. After a brief liturgy under the gazebo, the pope (the Macedonian word for priest is “pope”) and the men from Zletevo who had been married the previous year, participated in the traditional throwing and retrieving of the cross (check out my photos).

During the event when I was changing lenses on my camera, a lens cover flew off and landed on some rocks at the edge of the water. It would have been very difficult, if not impossible to recover it, so I kind of wrote it off. But the many Zletvoians who witnessed it, were deeply concerned about the situation. Remember that David and I were visitors in the community and stood out from everyone else. People were always looking at us out of curiosity, but in a very friendly way. And so it was important to them to retrieve the lens cover for their guest and they did so when one of the non-recently married swimmers climbed up onto the rocks to retrieve the lens cover. Everyone nearby was sincerely relieved that I it was returned to me.

When the ceremony was over and after my third to-be-sociable-rakija (and to prove my American manhood to the Macedonian men), we headed back to the center where we would search for a taxi to take us back to Probistip. However, on the road back, Stojche, one of the gentlemen we had been talking with, invited us into his home for a “na goste” (a visit). This always sems to happen here in the smaller towns and villages. People invite strangers into their home for food, drink and conversation. We went.

Two and one-half hours later, 5 more shots of homemade rakija, salad, coffee, lots of laughs and a sharing of life’s experiences with Stojche and his wonderful wife, the three of us headed back to Probistip. Cab fare was 160 denari ($2.50) split three ways. I appreciated the fact that I wasn’t the driver and not in the position of having to prove to my Macedonian friends that I was capable of driving after consuming an inordinate amount of alcohol.

When I returned home I needed to get some shut-eye. The rakija had taken its toll. I grabbed a blanket and headed out to my chair on my balcony. It was a somewhat mild winter day and it was sunny. As I lay ensconced on the recliner, I briefly reflected on my wonderful 8 rakija-day among the wonderful people of Zletevo before I fell asleep (passed out) for the next well-deserved two and half hours. This gave my liver a chance to do whatever God intended it to do. I was pleased knowing that I survived the binge and that the men of Zletevo appreciated my participation in their tradition and rewarded with an A+ (when it comes to drinking their National beverage). All in all, a challenging day’s work as a PCV.

I’m now looking forward to a couple of alcohol-free months. And, I believe, so is my liver.

Many Traditions

The month of January is basically a month of celebrating. It’s like the time in America between Christmas and New Years when everyone “goes to work” , however you want to describe work. The holiday spirit lasts three to four weeks. Why not? We can always accomplish tomorrow what we could have accomplished today.

The town looks very festive during this time and the lights will probably stay up till at least February. I’m hoping we get at least one snowfall during this time. School is not back in session until the 24th so the students are slowly forgetting much of what they learned in the first half of the school year. The teachers have finished their grading and record keeping as required by the overzealous demands of the remnants of the socialist record-keeping bureaucrats. Yet the teachers must still report to school almost every day, be seen, drink a cup of something hot because the building is not heated, and then head back home after an hour or so. Why? No one knows.

Since Phil is always free-loading off of everybody, David, Jim, Michael, Lillian and I decided to invade Phil’s place in Bitola to celebrate the New Year and freeload off of Phil. Much to his credit and my astonishment, he was the perfect host and put together a couple of nice meals. We celebrated with 10 other PCV’s who had come to town and who stayed with a couple of other Bitola-stationed Volunteers. The seniors amongst us acknowledged the New Year with cigars and Jack Daniels ($30 a Liter) on the square at midnight. There were thousands of people attending the event and everyone seemed to be having an enjoyable time. I was able to get a few really good photos of the fireworks because it was the first time I was actually under a fireworks display. They exploded directly overhead. There were no safety zones set up and we stood directly next to the launching area.

I understand from the many people who asked me where I was, that there was a very nice celebration in Probistip. As nice as Bitola was, I looked forward to my return home to Probistip on Sunday, having eaten all of Phil’s food and drinking most all of his hard-to-come-by black tea (You can find a half dozen or more kinds of tea in Probistip. Tea has a medicinal value and there is a tea for every ailment. Apparently there are no ailments that can be cured by drinking India tea (black tea – Lipton) because none of the stores or markets carry it).

In the USA, it’s back to our daily routine after New Years. Here, we still have the Christmas season ahead of us. On the 5th of January, David and I were invited to attend a traditional ceremony that takes place on the mountain. Many of the men from town head up to one of the local mountains for the purpose of collecting oak leaves which they will place in their Christmas Eve fire. I’m not exactly sure of the meaning of this tradition, although I did understand oak, smoke, strength, health, and luck when it was being explained to me. Of course the occasion was celebrated on the mountain with blessings by the priests, rakija, wine, food and traditional music and dancing.

Last year I was unprepared for the tradition of children coming around on Christmas Eve morning(December 6th). Representing angels (I am told), they carry a large staff and go house –to-house singing the words:”If you are asleep, wake up! If you are awake, make us cookies! If you can’t make us cookies, then give us walnuts! If you can’t give us walnuts, give us chestnuts! If you can’t give us chestnuts, give us some money? If you can’t give us some money, then we will break your window!” This kind of puts a damper on the “angel” scenario, but according to the police chief there have been no reports of broken windows on the last few Christmas Eve mornings. This year I was ready for the children, although I might have slept through their 6AM arrival had I not heard them singing across the street.

Christmas Eve (Badnik) is spent at home with family. A meatless meal is served and traditional formalities are carried out (see my blogs from January 2008 and 2009 which go into more detail). (Congratulations to my good friend Violeta in Negotino for getting the coin this year!) On Christmas Day (Boshik), families and friends visit one another. Gift giving is kept to a minimum, considering Father Ice made some deliveries on New Year’s Eve. Gift giving is not a big deal in Macedonia. I love the idea. No stress in trying to figure out if your wife wants a new iron or a new vacuum.

After the religious celebration of Christmas, many people look forward to celebrating Old New Year’s Day, January 13th in accordance with the Julian calendar. Another excuse to party! David and I were invited to attend the party of the municipal employees. It took place at the fish restaurant located in a beautiful setting in the mountains and owned by the mayor. It was another fun-filled party with the traditional food, drink, music and dancing that one comes to expect at these occasions. I was even able to throw a few of my infamous dance moves into the traditional Ora which a few adventuresome Macedonians were able to mimic.

The last traditional event of the season will take place on the 19th when the men of the town/village who were married the previous year will attempt to retrieve the cross thrown into the bitterly cold lake/river/ swimming pool by the local priests, commemorating the baptism of Jesus (once again, if interested, more detailed accounts of this event are reported in my blogs from January 2009 and 2010).

During this school break I have been putting together materials for a workshop for all the English teachers in Probistip. I have to try and sell the idea of canceling English classes for one day to the “superintendent of the schools” so the teachers can attend on the school’s time in Alexandra’s classroom. Usually teachers are expected to attend these workshops on weekends (great for morale!) This is a novel approach to offering in-service training so it might be a hard sell. We’ll see.

Hi-Tech? No! No-Tech Today

We were finally rocking with our computers in the classroom. Alexandra could use them to demonstrate an English language rule (of which there are thousands that I was, until recently, unaware of)) for all the students to watch simultaneously; she could monitor each student’s computer to insure each student was working on the assignment and not FaceBooking or gathering sports betting information ; she could lock the computers of those who chose to violate the usage rules; she could demonstrate an example of a rule to some students, while those who understood the concept could work on a more challenging exercise; and she was able to play lesson-oriented music through the computer to an external speaker system.

All this ended three weeks ago when her computer encountered a Linux OS problem and became unusable. The regional IT guy who is supposed to keep the computers working, lives in another town and won’t come to repair it until he gets the bus fare/taxi fare from the principal to make the trip across the mountain. One can’t blame him because his salary of 200 Euro/month does not enable him to pay out of his own pocket for the trip and he could never be assured of getting reimbursed anyway. Expense accounts are virtually non-existent because of past corruption practices. So we will wait until one the day when the stars are aligned for him to show up. Prayerfully, we won’t need to order a part.

Now that the some teachers are trying to incorporate computer usage into their teaching strategy, they are finding out about the unreliability issues confronting computer usage (hardware problems, internet connection problems, software problems, compatibility problems) which require technical support staff that can be responsive to one’s problem. I can understand their reluctance to use computers and stick with the textbook.

Currently we are back to mostly using the text and the workbook for the time being and are once again limited to teaching without an asset that teases us on a daily basis. (“Will I work today? Or not? Hit the ON button and find out.””Maybe I will work for the first class, but only halfway through the third class. I’ll surprise you with my unpredictable and of course, unreliable behavior!”). (N.B. The italicized text is the computer talking.)

We have had a few days of winter weather but it’s still remarkably warm. The shorter daylight days seem strange when the temperature outside is in the 50’s and low 60’s. On my morning walk to school, the light of the rising sun gives a different and interesting color to the surroundings then it does on the mornings when the sun is higher in the sky.

The people of Probistip are getting ready for tMacedonia’s most-celebrated holiday – New Years Day. The town has added even more colorful lighting to the community and “downtown” is very lovely. Fireworks (illegal) are heard everywhere. The decorated shops are offering a variety of holiday articles. New Year’s cards are being exchanged and a tinge of Western Christmas is sneaking into the community as Santa Claus and gift exchanging are not so unusual anymore. The students love to sing “Jingle Bells”.

I spent December 25th (the randomly selected date that was assigned to be the birth date of Jesus) over in Zletevo where I took some photos of some beautiful winter scenery. I was able to make small talk with some of the residents (it such a pleasure to watch the positive reactions of people when I, an American, try to talk with them in Macedonian. I say try, because I am not that good and it is sometimes a struggle. But they really appreciate the fact that I am trying and it brings smiles to their faces).

I also did some water measuring of the Zletevo River for an environmental project that was supposed to be done by the students of one of the special subject teachers in conjunction with a world-wide effort (www.WorldWaterMonitoringDay.org.). The deadline of December 31st for submitting data was fast approaching and I wanted to provide the data for the site that we registered. And I knew it wasn’t going to be done soon with the students, if ever. So having conducted the tests by myself, I am now familiar with testing water turbidity, dissolved oxygen, ph level, water temperature and I have learned the importance of how these variables interact. Unfortunately, the students aren’t and haven’t.

Upon my return from Zletevo, I Skyped my family back home at the pre-arranged time of 9:30 EST and I was able to cyberly partake in our traditional Christmas morning breakfast and the traditional opening of gifts.

By the way, Phil and, I quote, “his Best Friend” came to Probistip and conducted a very informative workshop to any Probistipian that was interested in learning some basics of photography. There was a decent turnout and Phil and his “Best Friend” were invited back in the spring by the Mayor’s office to conduct a four-day workshop in Lesnevo. Phil has done a very nice job starting photo clubs in quite a few Macedonian cities. He and his “Best Friend” complement each other’s skills exceptionally well. I just hope they can continue to put up with each other and not drift apart. (FYI : During an interview with a Macedonian magazine last year, Phil was somehow misquoted or perhaps misunderstood by the translator because it was reported in a widely disseminated national newspaper, that Phil’s CAMERA was his Best Friend. Of course we never let him forget and bring it up innumerable times when we’re together.)

P.S. The stars ARE aligned. The IT guy was here today (27 December) and got our computer working. And we didn’t need any parts. He told me he had to pay the fare to get to Probistip out of his own pocket (200 denari) and will not be reimbursed. He must manage all the computers in three large towns/cities by himself. He told me it takes months for him to receive his pay and that makes it very difficult for him and his family to get by. Sadly, he is only one of the thousands here in Macedonia who can never be sure if or when they will receive their salary from the government.

Schools out on Friday the 31st and the students will report back around the 24th of January. Michael F., David, and I will be heading to Phil’s in Bitola to celebrate the New Year’s arrival. I can’t believe this will be my third New Year’s Eve in Macedonia. But believe, I must. (don't forget to checkout the photos)

Just So You Know

Today was the first hint that winter will indeed show up this season. We’ve gotten in about three extra weeks of Sunday afternoon horseshoes because is been so spring-like. But a wicked front came through last night and with it, the 20 degree weather. My neighbors have been stoking their fires all day and I probably won’t see many of them until they come out of winter hibernation. It’s nice that the Peace Corps won’t allow us to have wood burning stoves and requires our landlords to provide electrical heating. The expense of electricity forces most of my neighbors to heat and cook with wood which is much less expensive. My electric bill in the winter is about $80 a month. A teacher and a miner earn less than $500 a month. A pensioner, about $200. So it’s wood for most. The Peace Corps picks up my electric bill which would be a big chunk of my $280 monthly subsistence allowance.

Just so you know:

No such thing as a dozen eggs here. They only come in a 10-egg carton, if you buy the by them the carton…Most people buy 30 or more eggs at a time. There are actually two stores in town that sell only eggs even though you can purchase eggs at any small prodav. Plus most of the villagers raise their own chickens… For the last few weeks I’ve seen quite a few people heading out to the surrounding mountains to pick mushrooms… I’ve also seen a lot of hunters out with their shotguns now during the rabbit hunting season. A home grown rabbit will cost you about 500 denari. A wild rabbit about at least three times that amount. Domestic rabbit meat is white while wild rabbit meat is dark…My fantasy football team sucks…There are few (I am unaware of any) peanut allergies here in Probistip. What’s with the situation in the USA where there is a serious problem with nut allergies, so much so that peanut butter is banned from some schools in North America ( in a place below Canada and above Mexico)…There’s been only one new student in our classes in the two years I’ve been here. Not a good sign…New Year’s lighting is going up today. The Town did a nice job last year in decorating and making the town very festive …I haven’t seen one advertisement for anything to do with Christmas. It’s great. I don’t owe anyone a gift… When you pitch horseshoes, you drink a lot of beer…Aspirin here is expensive ($1.70 for twenty 500 gram tablets). So is one bottle of contact lens solution ($16)… There are no fire hydrants in town. Good thing everything made out of concrete and stone…Got up at 4AM last Tuesday and watched on ESPN America, the Patriots demolish the Jets. It’s the first time in weeks that I turned the TV on…The frame on one pair of my glasses broke. The Peace Corps will replace broken glasses so I went to Skopje to the optometrist, optician, ophthalmologist, optimist or whatever to have them replaced. The Peace Corps allotment of 3000 denari ($60) wouldn’t come close to providing me with a pair of glasses with progressive lenses that I would want to be seen wearing, so I threw in another 3000 denari and purchased a pair of “Police” brand titanium frames that could use my current lenses. You can get anything in Skopje…The Wednesday pazar has recently had broccoli, lettuce, and cauliflower, items which are only available in the Probe this time of the year. I‘ve eaten a variety of broccoli based dishes during this time period. Unfortunately the cauliflowers are as big as a basketballs and I haven’t had the strength to bring one home. There would be a considerable amount of waste if I purchased one, since I don’t preserve them like a true Macedonian…Still only one place in town that sells ½ liter bottles of diet soda for the times when I crave a soda. There are probably over 25 prodavs (small convenience stores) in the Probe, and none of them sell lite beverages. So everyone drinks sugared drinks. Anything sold here with sugar is advertised as providing the drinker with energy…The “No Indoor Smoking” in restaurants law is well observed here so I somewhat marveled at the individuals sitting outside at the cafes today in 20 degree weather enjoying a coffee and a smoke, while their bodies, hunched over, slowly stiffened... You can now drink red wine (the new wine is ready) and eat pastamajka (pizza dough topped with cubed pork bits and egg concoction – extremely delicious) but you shouldn’t drink white wine and you can’t eat ice cream. Why? Because it’s winter and that’s THE WAY we do it here.

We’re Ready

The cupboards are now filled with a bounty of preserved autumn vegetables and fruits; the ajvar and pinjur jarred; the nuts dried and shelled; the hogs butchered, smoked or frozen; the wine and rakija barreled, the fallen leaves swept up and carted away; the leeks replanted; the firewood split and stacked; the bee colonies put to bed; and the winter wheat sewn. So come on winter! Macedonia is ready.

While the Trainees were in Probistip preparing for their assignments throughout the country, there were 10 Americans in this small town. The seven “youngsters” plus one senior could be seen hanging together at the cafes and sometimes at the disco, heading to and from their classrooms at Nikola Karev Primary School, bonding with members of their host family and attending na gostes (visits)with their host family’s relatives and friends. But they were sworn in as Volunteers on Thanksgiving Day and have been sent out to their new towns and villages, the same routine that every Peace Corps Volunteer anticipates since they submitted their application to join. So as I write this Blog, the MAK15’s are on their own for their very first weekend, armed with a new language, and trying to find food, not getting lost in their new community and assessing where they can obtain what they need in order to be comfortable for the next two years. We’re back to two PCV’s in the “Probe”.

As has been the custom for the last several years, the Trainees were sworn-in on Thanksgiving Day at the Palace Hotel in Kumanevo. The American Ambassador to Macedonia, Philip Reeker, made some brief comments before swearing-in the MAK15’s. The Trainees’ host families, the Peace Corps Staff and current PCV’s attended the event which was followed by a “traditional” Thanksgiving meal that was highlighted by the invitation to feast on 20 well-prepared turkeys (sans stuffing, cranberry sauce, and apple cider) flown-in from the States and prepared by the function hall staff. It was a nice event for everyone in attendance.

I recently attended a meeting in Skopje with the CEO of the Macedonian Olympic Committee. Phil asked me to be in attendance as he made his pitch to introduce golf in Macedonia and more importantly, to discuss a plan to introduce track events throughout the country so as to identify potential future Olympic contenders (a very long term project). Quite frankly, the feeder system is in such disarray (42 different independent sports federations) that it will take some time to get everyone to work together toward this commendable goal. As is the case in many instances in this nation that is having a difficult time getting away from old habits, there is little positive interaction between different sports federations. The other problem is financial. There are 205 countries that are members of the Olympic movement. Only one country is not financially supported by their national government – Macedonia. Needless to say, little is currently happening in this area.

After our meeting at the Olympic Headquarters, we were drinking coffee in a very open, well-lit, quiet and uncrowded café, when a thief stole the pocketbook of Phil’s colleague who had momentarily set it on a chair while she made a phone call. The thief was quick and professional. The police officers, who took two hours to respond, said that a common problem in the city.

Friday the 19th of November was National Tree Planting Day and students and municipal workers throughout the country spent a part of the day planting trees. The students and teachers from Nikola Karev went up into the hills near the new church and planted trees and shrubs, supervised by adult town employees. For the very first time, the school day doesn’t have to be made up on a Saturday , probably because a limited number of students attended in past years.

The weather has been mild for this time of the year, enabling us to continue our recreational Sunday afternoon horse shoe pitching get-togethers. The game is popular with a core group of players but there is still a contingent of my neighbors who think they’re too old play. We’re working on them and the time will be here soon when we’ll need more sets of horseshoes to accommodate all the players. On one hand it will be great to need more sets and then on the other hand, I’m not sure how we will be able to fund the cost of purchasing and shipping them from the USA.

The classroom computers continue to provide resources for the students to practice their English skills, albeit they still don’t speak enough. We’re somewhat fortunate to have ours up and running. Several other classrooms have to wait three months for the person responsible for finalizing the installation of the computers to recover from eye-surgery. I am told he is the only one that knows how to complete the set-up.

My bottle-cap project is also going very well. I’m having select students (those who are so far behind that they are just lost, have given up and are warehoused until they graduate) construct sets of caps that will reinforce and enable students to practice such concepts as adjective opposites, past simple and past continuous, possessive and personal pronouns, and irregular verbs. These students love to work with their hands and enjoy the opportunity to be useful during class. And they unknowingly are learning a little English in the process.

Commitment Accomplished

The Peace Corps commitment is for 27 months. My group, the MAK 13’s have now been here for 26 months and individuals have started to return to their home towns in the USA . The out-processing procedures limit the number of Volunteers who can depart to 4 or 5 a week, so the whole process of getting everyone out of Macedonia takes about six to seven weeks. Some Volunteers (I being one of them) choose to extend their time so they can complete projects that they are working on. At least eight Mak13’s have extended for various lengths of time (6 months to a year) which is an unusually high number of extendees. I chose to extend six months so I could complete several in-the work-projects and so that I could finish the school year with the students whom I have grown so fond of.

Meanwhile, the MAK14’s have almost completed their first year on site (plus three months training) and the MAK 15 Trainees will complete their training and be sworn in as Volunteers on Thanksgiving Day, the day after which they will head out to their new assignments in villages, towns and cities throughout the country.
The eight Trainees here in Probistip found out last week where they will call home for the next two years. They had a chance to visit and spend a day there, meeting their counterpart, getting a feel for their new village, town or city, and seeing their new digs. They all seemed very pleased.

Here at Nikola Karev, the computers that were installed 10 months ago in the our English classroom are now fully functional. We have the internet and the teacher can control and monitor each student’s computer, so that FaceBook and sports betting sites can be locked out. Alexandra has found various TEFL sites that enable her to work with different levels of students simultaneously and it throws a little variety into the usually mundane teaching strategies that teachers are forced to employ because of their limited resources. Alexandra has embraced this new technology but I am not sure if many of the other staff members who have this technology, have. Time will tell.

Alexandra conducted a brief workshop for the Trainees on using the computer network and monitoring the students’ work and I gave a presentation on a Model Classroom and on my lessons learned as a TEFL. Hopefully they gained a few insights into teaching in Macedonia but there was no test, so I don’t know how much of it they absorbed or found useful.

Speaking of useful, I finally found a use for all of the plastic bottle caps that I have been throwing into a kitchen drawer, caps I figured I would someday come in handy. I took 26 of them and wrote one letter of the alphabet on each cap so that I had the complete alphabet. I employed them as a manipulative at school when I worked with some of the students who were having a difficult time. It was so successful that we needed more sets so we had a contest to see which class could bring in the most plastic caps, with the winning class getting Michael’s (me) homemade cookies. The winning class brought in 1173 caps and we collected more than 2500 in one week ¬(Only the 5th and 6th Grades participated). We can now make all sorts of manipulatives to reinforce tenses, parts of speech, sentence structure, colors, sounds, etc. All for free!

Despite all of the good things happening in the classroom, there is still room for improvement. Time could be used more efficiently during the 40 minute class. Students’ study skills could be improved. Advanced students could be challenged more. Slower students could be more involved. Class discussions could be better managed. Parents could be more involved. Student accomplishments could be better recognized.

So each day we strive to sell the concept that I have written on a sheet of paper taped to the classroom wall – “Better is the Enemy of Good Enough”.