Formal observation tomorrow

It’s my first formal observation tomorrow since first joining this school going on 2 years ago. It’s been a learning curve and a half as I’ve got used to a totally different style of teaching than I was used to (for 3 whole years), and learned more about the value of presence and authenticity over action (at times). That being said, I’m nervous and excited about tomorrow’s lesson all at once as it’s going to be critiqued (what on earth is Bloom’s taxonomy, anyway?;)) and it’s my Advanced Composition during the last block of the day, which could go somewhat wrong… but then again, the topic is one that is interesting to me: family stories.

The premise is that we all recall a relative whose actions have somehow been significant to us. We all recall how the person did the thing they’re famous for (it’s the one thing that every one returns to during gatherings like Chinese New Year or Christmas, and which causes embarassment for the active party, and general merriment and high hilarity for the spectators), what happened, who was there, and just why we recall it even now.

So, as an example, I’ll be talking about my brother and what our childhood was like. In particular, and episode from when he was in primary school, and my mum had just had about 8 inches of her hair cut off. His first words to her, after having hidden from, were, “Mummy, you so ugly!”

Ahhh, the memories. I’m looking back on this particular story with no small amount of nostalgia, given what our relationship has been like over the past 3 years now…

On another note, I’m heading to Beijing for a weekend workshop on ‘brief counselling’. I have no idea what to expect, although I am looking forward to it quite a bit.