An Educational Adventure in Prague

10 favorite things about Prague:

1) The blue pear chicken at the pub near the pension
2) gelato, and cupcakes at the Bake Shop
3) thus.. having to walk everywhere
4) Drink please.
5) 80’s/90’s night at Lucerna
6) an AMAZING Mexican/Native American restuarant Megan and I found
7) that Starbucks has actual coffee
8 ) pasminas
9) reading in Old Town Square
10) listening to Czech people sing American songs

This week we were able to present a English lesson to a third grade class at a local elementary school. The lesson focused on verbs, and was divided into 3 parts. We first played a game to help the students practice saying their hobbies and to get to know their interests better. Then we played a game where the children had to guess what verb or action another student was drawing on the board. Finally we played a game where they had to act out the verbs presented.

The children seemed to enjoy the activities, however their English level was much higher than we anticipated so the games may a been too simplistic for them. We also had a few discipline issues. There was a lot of talking during the last two games, and some students were having their own side conversations. Since it was not our classroom we felt hesitant to discipline the students. However this was a learning experience and going into the classroom we really did not know what to expect as far as their English comprehension level, or their behavior.

Italy..

last weekend I traveled to Italy and it was amazing! It’s my favorite place I’ve been and I definitely want to go back. I loved the Italian culture, food, and not to mention shopping. It didn’t hurt being in the fashion capital of the world, well maybe my wallet a little, but when in Milan…

We found a really cool area/district of the city which had a river and restaurants and shopping on both sides. We had great meals, and loved shopping “the fake stuff.” We haggled the price down for some gifts we bought which was fun, although I’m sure they are probably still making a good profit.

This week has been filled with school work and studying, probably from catching up after the weekend trip. I have also been catching up with everyone from home before I leave again this weekend for Milan! I am very excited about visiting Italy since I’ve never traveled there before. I’m especially looking forward to shopping and dining. My friend and I are hopeful that we will be able to get tickets to see “The Last Supper” which is another attraction of Milan.

In EDP….

This week we further discussed schemas and how they influence our everyday conceptions of “how things should be.” For instance, I have a certain schema and script (predictable sequence of events for a common activity) for going to the grocery store. Usually you place everything you want to buy in your cart then pay as the groceries are bagged for you. In Prague there is a different “script” for going to the grocery store. You have to pay if you want a cart, carrying baskets are free. At certain stores if you buy fruits or veggies you have to weight them yourself and place a printed sticker with the price on the bags. Also don’t be surprised if you feel like you are being “watched” as you shop because there is usually a normal dressed man walking around the store watching everyone as they shop to prevent thieft. Finally as you reach the check out be sure to grab a plastic bag if you haven’t brought your own, or you will be standing at the end of the conveyer belt with a bunch of groceries staring at the cashier who does not speak English. Yep, you must pay for these plastic bags, they will not ask you if you need a bag. And forget the “bag boy” you have to be a swift grocery bagger to prevent getting the next persons groceries slung towards you down the belt. The different script for grocery shopping took some getting used to, and when I return home I will have a greater appreciation for the “bag boy.”

It’s hard to believe this is only the second week here in Prague. I am beginning to develop a routine and find daily tasks much easier. I have realized that it is a good idea to go eat dinner before you are actually hungry because you may wait an eternity to get your food. Also, trying to get coffee has been surprisingly difficult, espresso is more common here and if you order a coffee you get espresso with milk. I have found that I can get my normal tall coffee at Starbucks, unfortunately I had to succumb to the corporate coffee world even in Prague.
I joined a gym today to keep my typical workout schedule. That was something very difficult to give up, so after a week I decided to join the local gym with some other students. The gym is basically the same as an American gym except no one speaks English, they call it aerobic and are obsessed with cycling. I really like the fact that you have to walk to get to the gym, at least 10 minutues, or to get to anywhere else you want to go. I wish we walked more like this in America, but most of our cities are not set up that way.
I’m looking forward to traveling this weekend, and learning about another new city and culture. I’ll post more about my traveling experience when I return..

We just got back from a busy weekend at Cesky Krumlov, which we quickly named Krispy Kremelov. This was by far the best weekend of the trip. The town and the views of the surrounding areas were beautiful. Our hostel was very clean, I actually preferred it to the pension in Prague, sorry but true. Saturday was an adventure to say the least… We went rafting on the Vltava River which was amazing, however half way through the 4 hour journey a torrential rain, not to mention lightening, storm started. Even though it was only about 50 degrees we still had a fabulous time rowing down the Vltava singing 90’s tunes in the pouring rain. The last day we visited the castle and explored the town a little more before leaving, mainly we wanted ice cream, which was amazing. I was glad to be “home” in Prague but enjoyed my time in Krispy Kremelov and would love to visit again some day and go rafting on the river in preferably 76 degree weather.

Relating to Edu Psych…

We related the name of Krispy Kreme to Cesky Krumlov from previous experience and knowledge. Since Krispy Kreme is prevalent in NC, we have that name enstilled in long term memory and when hearing words, or a place that sounds similar we can connect the words: Cesky – Krispy, Krum – Kreme. Although this was a silly name, it actually shows how we are relating stored and familiar information to new ideas and places.