Day 10

The big day of the first lesson taught by me in Sweden! Was in school at 9, observed a lesson with Lena's Swedish class. The language is rather incomprehensible when pronounced, however, I am getting used to certain words and together with the pictures on the board and my familiarity with the theme (nervous system.. again.. (must be the 3rd lesson this week observing action potentials being taught), I was able to follow quiet well.
Lena also introduced me to one of her students, a bright boy that finished his high school math before even entering high school and is now doing university math + national math challenges. He was more than willing to have an interview with me for my research project, so we planned to do that in the afternoon.

Directly after this lesson, it was time for the IB first year class - 'my' lesson. I started off introducing myself and explaining what brought me to Sweden. Then I asked the students names, I figured if there were only 9, and I would be teaching them at least three 80 minute lessons this week, I might as well try and learn their names. Then I went on talking a bit about what Lena did last lessons and connected today's lesson to that, followed by explaining the flip book task and handing out the task. All students started working straight away.. they are so quiet.. I told them they were allowed to talk, but still they more or less worked quietly, only discussing silently with their neighbours if needed. After about an hour, most of them had their flip book ready and we discussed the whole process step by step. To practice some more with synapses, I copied a task about Parkinson meds from their textbook (they don't usually bring it to class as it is too large). Then, to illustrate this task, I showed them a video about a docter in a hospital investigating a patient with Parkinson's disease, who also talked about the effect medicine has on her. After this, there were only 10 minutes left to work on the task. We will continue tomorrow.

Lena commented on my lesson right after. She liked how I started with introducing myself and asking their names to show my interest in them. Also she liked how I linked this lesson to hers. I made a couple of small errors in my explanation (fi. writing Ca+ on the board, which must be Ca2+), some of which I can correct tomorrow. She finds my way of teaching very relaxed (I've heard that one before). All in all, she was very positive and I may teach again ;-).
Then, lunchdinner time, very nice today, with (amongst the more usual salad and hot meal options) pureed vegetable soup and lingoln berries! Together with Lena, I ate it in the teachers lounge, where I was able to meet a couple of other teachers again (I meet new people everyday there, and they are all very interested and welcoming).

After lunch, I interviewed the student, very nice experience, learned a lot about the school. They actually allow students that excell in math to come to this school years before they normally would start here, to do high school math. Apart from that, they have teachers that are able to give math lessons at university level to challenge te students. Also, for several courses, national challenges are organised (biology olympiad, and similar challenges in math and physics) and students are tutored in their preparation for these challenges.
At lunch I met a math teacher that is _the_ person in this school with knowledge about teaching gifted children. We are going to have a chat next week.
In the afternoon, again I observed Lena's last year IB class - another revision lesson. Had a nice chat with one of the students before the lesson started.
Now that I am well on my way getting the amount of lesson observations needed, teaching the lessons needed and I am reaching the contacts needed for my research, I am confident that I will get to complete all that's needed during my stay here!
16.45 I left the building, cycled home and did not do a whole lot as today was pretty tiring. Tomorrow, I teach first thing in the morning (8.05.. what time is that..).