German School

Yesterday, Bailey and Camden went to German School for the day! The local school allowed them to come visit for the day, and they truly enjoyed it. The set up for school here is quite different. All children go to school (1st through 4th grade), and then they change schools depending on their academic levels and strong points (science/math, humanities, Music etc). Camden was able to go into the class that he would actually be in if he went to German school, and Bailey went to the class a year below where she would go. I couldn't wait to hear how it went, and when they got home we made a list of differences that they noticed:

• obviously they speak German, not English (although they do take English in the older classes) - Bailey took English :-)
• instead of raising their hand, they raise a finger
• they do not line up to walk around the school, they just go
• Camden's class only had 14 kids, while Bailey's had around 20
• all kids either walk, ride bikes, or take the city bus to school (they are responsible for getting themselves to school - even in 1st grade) - another interesting thing was that it was a hot day, and the students worked hard, so they were allowed to leave 45 minutes early that day (the liability for this would never fly back home - I think the administration would be fired :-))
• They eat snack during break/recess (they do not eat lunch at school)
• They get out of school between 11:30 and 1:00 (Camden was SHOCKED at how fast the day went)
• The children were very well behaved in the classroom
• They had a computer lab, but no computers in the classroom (no smart boards either)
• Camden observed that their was a sculpture of Jesus in the classroom (they do not have that huge separation of church and state)
• It seemed more old fashioned (huge classrooms, wood floors, highceilings, wooden desks - no metal or plastic) - in a good way though
• Everyone shakes hands out of respect. Mia even does it in the Kindergarten - when she arrives, and when she leaves, she goes to her teachers and shakes hands to say either "good morning" or "good bye" (It primes them for real life - I like that alot!)

They really enjoyed their time, and felt extremely welcome. They both were so excited to tell me how everyone came up to them to ask them what their name was etc...
The funniest/starteling/ most eye opening part for me came around 11:30 when my door bell rang, and it was Camden standing there in front of me. I had told the kids that I would meet both of them in the front of the school at 1:00 (when I thought that they got out). Camden's class dismissed at 11:30, and he waited outside like he was supposed to. (He does not have a cell phone, but may be getting one now :-) After a while, he figured that Bailey was not getting out at the same time as he was, and so he walked home. I asked him what he would have done if I wasn't home, and he had an entire plan that I would have definitely approved of. I was very proud of him, and it made me realize that sometimes I don't give him enough credit! Bailey used her cell phone to call me to let me know that she would be getting out early, and when I told her that Camden was home already, she worried that he had gotten in trouble in school :-) A great Opportunity!!!