absolutwillie

Tag: video

  • Snow and rainbows

    Today showed me how very differently one class could respond to a particular L.O. lesson than another. Where the Gr.X C-class nearly yawned the class into Oz, the A- and E-classes loved every detail! Where the first class was decidedly bored out of their skulls the moment they walked in the door – the other classes snapped out of it the moment I started the lesson. They enjoyed what I had prepared for them, and participated to such an extent that the lesson felt less like a class and more like a lively discussion among friends. It was amazing.

    Your preparation as well as the kids make all the difference. The classes who put something of themselves into the lesson, got something more in return. This mix of energy allowed me to pour my whole self into the moment and emerge with my learners, energized and ready to move on at the end of the period (which flew by in no time).

    I have yet to figure out why the first class differed so greatly from the other two, and what I could do to bring their spark out in the former group.

    …

    After school I went to buy my colleague a milkshake for his birthday (which he didn’t want celebrated elaborately). Three of us jumped in a car, drove in the icy rain to the mall, and celebrated with sweets while surrounded by snow capped mountains. From the pay-point, I took the following photograph:

    All was right with the world.

    I also made him this little video as a birthday present :0)

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8V8DpEi_33Y?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata&w=320&h=266]

  • Saturday Fun-day tester

    An experiment in vlogging:
    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iImS2Rl443w]

  • International Schools Rugby and Big Band Brilliance

    Today was a day packed to the brim with excitement and activities. Not to mention work.


    SARU had selected our school to host several international rugby matches that were televised and broadcast throughout the rugby-universe. And everyone got a chance to take part! Even if you were part of the Under 14 D rugby team, and played waaaaay at the back on the secondary fields – you were a part of everything, and the excitement that filled the air was intoxicating.


    Even one such as myself, who barely knows what a rugby match looks like, could enjoy the day quite vigorously. Which I did. Starting with early morning security detail, to watching the sun rise over the snow-capped mountains, to supporting the U14Ds and all my kids playing before the main games. I don’t know how many of them recognized their student English/LO-teacher pacing up and down the fields – but seeing the faces of those who did light up made my heart swell.

    Similarly, at the Orchestra’s Winter Concert earlier tonight, it was such a pleasure to see kids shining in their passions, and living for what they do. I had such a great time watching them play, listening to the gorgeous music they made, and just being a part of their Big Night!

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOaJkm1H9_Y?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata&w=320&h=266]

    I’m growing quite attached to these kids.

  • The Big Brag

    Today was all about building school spirit – gees – which pretty much translated to kids in red costumes bursting in controlled chaos. Fun most of the time, but pretty draining. Especially the day before the Big Rugby. Which will be followed by the Orchestra’s winter concert that very evening.

    All of which needed to be prepared for today. Of course I helped everywhere I could, and some places where I couldn’t… old habits die hard.
    Best news of the week though: the kids whom I helped with preparation for their English Language term paper all passed with improved grades! Yay!!!
    To celebrate, here’s a short clip of some Geesvang:

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Fqi3sk9FJA?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata&w=320&h=266]

    I spent most of the day preparing the school hall for Saturday evening’s concert – which promises to be big fun!

  • Winter Ball

    Quite a lot went down today, but I’m simply too tired to do this entry right. Reason being that we had to chaperone at the Winter Ball tonight.

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IW34t-iswgg?version=3&f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata&w=320&h=266]

    What day is it anyway?

  • WANT!!!

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dudy-zw4yj4&fs=1&source=uds&w=320&h=266]

  • Video: Sweet Brown's Greatest Hits

    Almost everybody, everywhere has been throwing the line “ain’t nobody got time for that” around like there’s no tomorrow. Having been oblivious to such phenomenons (I was late with Gangam Style too), I never really got it.

    Until now…

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFEoMO0pc7k&fs=1&source=uds&w=320&h=266]

  • Weekend review: Joburg hail storm

    Joburg hail storm: Watch this incredible footage of the intense hail storm that hit Johannesburg over the weekend.

  • Fun music video: Gangnam Style

    I’m pretty sure most of you have heard/seen/otherwize experienced the Gangnam Style phenomenon.
    For those of you who have no idea what I’m talking about – welcome to what’s been playing in my head since Friday:

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=videoseries?index=18&list=PL9C8FEF2291D596E9&hl=en_US]

    Dress classy,
    Dance cheesy!

  • Compliments for Strangers

    [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3_c2Ae0kCI?fs=1]

    Thanks Davey Wavey for putting a smile on more than a few people’s faces with this random act of kindness.