We're in dallas :) plane just landed

We're in minneapolis. Fly out at about 530 to dallas. Woo hoo

We're in seattle :) good flight. Only 2 more to go till we get home to dallas

Last Update

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to post... our kids have been having
alot of sleep troubles and we took another teacher to the doctor
(Teacher Amanda who's still not feeling very good-sinus/upper
respiratory infection), so it's been a while since I've been able to
sit and write.

Last week went pretty smoothly. The teachers have been growing closer
to each other, their students and their TA's. A handful of TA's have
been asking really good questions about Him and several have expressed
that they're close to understanding and wanting to know Him like we
do. So He's answering many requests. Thank you for joining in with
us on behalf of those we've grown to love!

Yesterday and today classes are preforming their final class
presentaions and they're all doing an amazing job. It's really
incredible to see how much english the students have picked up in 4
short weeks... every class (all 350 students) have made huge strides
in speaking english.

Tomorrow is our last day of teaching and then we fly out really early
on Saturday morning (your Friday night). This is probably the last
time I'll post until we land state-side.

Thank you again for all of your thoughts and yarps. They have been
greatly appreciated!

Blessings,
The Gentala's

Recap of Week 2

Recap of Week 2:

Health-wise, almost everyone who was sick is better.   Pls be praying for Teacher Matt.   He's on an antibiotic and still not feeling great.  A few other teachers are starting to feel sick, but we're yarping that rest and liquids will help them kick the sore throats.  (It's hard to tell right now if the sore throats is the smog or sickness or lack of sleep)

The second week of camp ended well.  Each class performed a song or play as practice for their final performances (Where parents come and watch).  The classes were all nervous, but they did a fantastic job.  

Over the weekend, we visited the Great Wall.   We requested that they take us to a different location than last year... and the location where we went had a ski lift you can ride up about half way, then hike some.   And then you can either slide down, hike down or ride the ski lift back down.   About 2 hours after we arrived at the GW, it started pouring.  So the slide was closed and we rode the ski lift down.  It was alot of fun (the location was perfect for Amer1can tourists) but everyone was soaked.    So we cancelled the rest of the day's activities (we were supposed to go hang out by a man-made lake, outside for 3 hours), so we could all go home, get dried off and rest.  

Sunday was filled with lesson plans, shopping at the pearl or silk market and wrship/B1ble study at our place. We had a handful of TA's join us.   We learned that colleges here have started requiring a full-year course study of the B1ble.  The entire year is spent criticising the Book and what we believe.  So some of the TA's, when we've asked what they thought about our singing and study have replied with comments like, "I really like the singing.  I can see why you are a Chr1stian and why you like the B1ble, but I'm not interested", etc.   So we found many hard hearts when we arrived.  But several of those girls have come to every singing/reading time and listened really carefully.  So we trust Him to help them see the Truth and that He'll open their ears.  

Our team is doing such a great job loving on each other and loving on their TA's. We haven't had hardly any relationship issues thus far (which is very unusual for a group this size).  But the past couple of days we've noticed alot of culture shock, home sickness and exhaustion.  We're encouraging them to get extra rest, get time in the Word, pryer, etc.  But we'd appreciate all of us being covered from that end of the world.

Thank you for your encouragement and pr.yers.  Each of us greatly appreciate the support!  :)

FYI - the bl0g that we're using is currently blocked over here, so we're having to post in a round-a-bout way.   We're having issues posting pics, but we'll hopefully have a few up soon.  :)

Week One Recap

I'm sorry it's taken so long for us to post an update.  Our first week here flew by and it took awhile for our two kids to get over jet lag.

------------------------------------  

Thank you very much for your thoughts and conversations with Dad on our account.  Our time here has been really good...   some challenging times, but overall very good.

We've finished one week and almost 2 days of teaching.  I think this is our best team that we've ever taken over here.   Each of our teachers is very focused, preparing in advance for their classes and really pouring themselves into their students and Teacher's Assistants (TA's).  Friendships are forming between teacher and TA  and already several TA's have been asking questions about why our team acts like we do and what we think about different topics.

Our teachers spent last Saturday planning for this week and then several were able to go shopping at a nearby pearl market and a nearby silk market. This weekend we'll go to the Great Wall and tomorrow we're going to be able to see an Acrobat troup that's coming thru the city.   So already we're getting to see several amazing sites. 

This morning about half of our classes had Open House where parents came and watched teachers teach for a class period.  Tomorrow the rest of the classes will have Open House.  Today's Open House ran very smoothly.  Several of our teachers received compliments from parents (which is fairly rare here) and so far all of our teachers sound pretty confident about how it went.

At the end of this week, all of the classes will perform short songs/plays in front of the other classes.  They all sound pretty nervous, but the kids sure are cute and it's alot of fun to see them up on stage.

Here are some things that we'd appreciate being lifted up:

1. Teachers experiencing traveller's sickness.  Most of us have and it was pretty minor and quick to recover.  A couple of our girls are having to adjust their diet (mostly water and oatmeal) while they wait for their stomach/intestines to heal.  Pls be lifting up Kim and Samantha, specifically that they'll be able to eat solid foods soon.  
2. One of our Kinder teachers, Cynthia, had to go and get antibiotics for an upper-respiratory infection.  She's already feeling better but needs complete healing.   Pls think about other teachers... we're yarping that none of the rest of the group catch the infection.
3. David and I  tweaked our backs (probably from odd sleeping arrangements while trying to help our kids get over jetlag).  Today we're both having some trouble walking up and down stairs.  
4. Each Wednesday/Sunday we have a time of singing, reading and listening to the Book at our place.   We had several TA's visit last Sunday and they seemed very interested. Pls be thinking of them, that He'll continue giving them questions and that He'll help them find The way.

Thank you for your love and support.  It means alot to us and our team.  Blessings!

We're here

We're all checked into our hotel rooms and apartments and will hopefully be asleep soon.  It's 3:30am right now.  Blessings and ty for your yarps.

We've landed in Detroit. Pretty good flight. We'll be flying out in a little less than 3 hours. Ty for your prayers. :)

If you have tonight or tomorrow you can check in and print boarding passes at delta.com

Kinder Classrooms Update

Kinder Teachers:

We talked with the BJ school tonight and asked if you guys had chalk boards or white boards.  Turns out you have neither. 

There is one chalk/white board on rollers (I think one side is chalk, the other side is white board), that you can share and roll between classes.  It's up to you if you'd like to schedule when each of you will have it.  Another option is doing all of your teaching on paper.  We think we can get big sheets of paper that you can use and/or hang up on your wall.

We'll work all of this out when we get there... but we wanted to give you a heads up so you can be thinking about it :)

Weighing your bag

This is optional!!

We'll be bringing a scale up to DBU tomorrow... so if you'd like to weigh your bag, you're more than welcome to bring your suitcase with you.  (Or if you want to pack as many extra teaching materials as you can but don't want to go over 50lbs)

Roommate Changes

Hannah will not be going on the trip this year (she's home sick with mono).  Wesley Basinger will be taking her place.    

We rearranged some of the roommates.    Below are the changes only.  So if your name/room isn't listed below, then nothing has changed for you.

Room #5: Annette Witte

               Emily Garner

               Nathalie White

Room #8: Wesley Basinger

Room #11:  Kaitlen Harrison

                 Jordan Andrews

Let us know if you have any questions!

Website on Classroom Rules

Here's a thread where several teachers talk about classroom rules that they use and have posted...  will help with ideas if you feel stuck  :)

http://www.proteacher.net/discussions/showthread.php?t=58463

2 Weeks!!

2 weeks from today we'll be hopping on a plane!    Keep praying that the Lord will prepare our team's hearts plus the hearts of all that we'll be meeting over there!  :)

July 4th Training

DBU told you to be prepared to meet all day on July 4^th for training.   Since most of the DBU campus is closed and because it’s a holiday, we’re going to condense that time.   Please be at the International Bld from 1-4pm.  We’ll be covering travel info, first day of class info, making sure everyone has their discipline plan ready to implement, etc. 

This is also where you’ll receive construction paper and toys/prizes to pack and bring with you (remember you were told to save room about the size of half of your carryon?).   

Because this year we’re only allowed 1 checked suitcase (instead of 2), we decided to not send nearly as many toys/prizes/school supplies as you were originally told.  You’ll be receiving a large package (11x17 I think) of construction paper, and about a gallon ziplock of other stuff to pack and bring with you.  

The BJ school provides some school supplies, students will bring some, and you’ll be able to purchase anything else you need pretty cheap from stores nearby.   (We figured if it was between paying for an extra suitcase or spending $10 to buy additional supplies/toys/prizes there, you’d rather buy it there)    

When you pick up these items from DBU, if you would like to have more free stuff to take with you, and have the space to pack it, extras will be in Whitney’s office.  Please let us know that day if you would like more.

Money and ATM's

Here are the details about bringing different forms of money this summer:

• Cash - 
• There's not really a safe place to keep your cash except on your person.
• Cash is hard to exchange.  You have to bring a translator with you to a bank during specific hours, along with your passport and hope they'll change the money for you.  It's difficult to get the cash changed (they'll reject bills if there are weird folds or tears in them) and hard to find someone to take you to do it.  Sometimes you might have to wait several days to get money changed.
• Up side is that  there are no fees to change the money.  
• Traveler's Checks
• Easy to keep on your person (not as thick as a stack of bills)
• Also very hard to exchange.  Same as cash, you have to bring a translator with you, etc, etc.  If you bring traveler's checks, make sure they're from a large/national chain, and it would be good to bring either the 1-800 number or international phone number, because the Chinese bank will probably call to verify your traveler's check.  
• Several years, we've had teachers only bring traveler's checks and for random reasons, they were not accepted and the teacher was stuck with no money.
• No fees in china to change these, only whatever fee you pay at your bank
• Debit Card
• There are ATM's everywhere... it's very easy to find an ATM.
• If you bank with Bank of America (BoA), they have a sister bank (an ATM for that sister bank is conveniently located outside the door of your hotel), so there are no fees to withdraw your money.
• If you don't have BoA, then the total fees are generally around $7 per withdraw.  (you normally are charged a fee at the ATM and a fee back home)   If you only withdraw once or twice a trip, then it's not that bad.
• Make sure you call your bank and let them know what dates you'll be gone so they don't freeze your account (this has happened to us in the past)  :)
• This is the way we recommend bringing money with you.

Some other bits of info:

• The BJ school will give you 'food money' to pay for evening meals and weekend meals and also a little bit to catch taxi's and such.  You'll be given this money either on July 4th at the training or at the airport on July 5th.  It'll be around $400.  So if you want too, you could wait to withdraw money/exchange money until you use up your 'food money'.
• To clarify...  the school is providing breakfast and lunch in the school cafeteria on school days.   And then money for food on evenings and weekends.  :)   (edited 6.21.2012)
• Make sure you talk with your parents and have a way for them to get money to you if you need it.  The way our insurance works is, you pay up front, then are reimbursed.   If you get sick and need to go to the doctor or if there's an accident and you need medical help, you will have to pay cash (or credit card) and then be reimbursed from MH Ross.

Airport Times and Such

July 5th - All team members need to be at the airport by noon (at the Delta check-in)

If you would like to park your car at DBU and ride a DBU bus to the airport, you need to:

1. Let Whitney / Amber Gentala know by Monday, June 25th.   If we don't hear from you, we're assuming you'll meet us at the airport.
2. Fill out form to leave your car on campus while we're gone and give keys to Whitney (on July 4th to turn into Campus Security)
3. On the day of our flight, July 5th, meet at DBU at 10:45am to load the bus.  Bus will be leaving at 11am.   (Location TBD)
4. It's assumed (unless you say otherwise) that you'll be riding the bus back from the airport to DBU in August.

Kindergarten Teacher Information

Hi Kinder Teachers,

You 6 have a slightly different setup than the rest of the teachers.  All Kinder classes (including library, gym time, movie time) will take place in the Kinder building, which is across the street from the main school (where 1st grade and above will be, as well as our office).  

**You need to bring (or buy there) some house slippers.  You will wear your normal shoes to the door of your classroom, take them off and put your house slippers on.  These slippers should be new and ONLY worn inside the classroom.  When you leave the classroom, you'll take the slippers off and put on your normal shoes to leave the building.  You can buy cheap but uncomfortable slippers there.  But we'd recommend bringing some with you.   We think just about anything will work as long as it's new and the soles are clean.  Let me know if you have questions**

• Kinder teachers will have a TA (college age) and a 'Chinese helper' (can't remember the correct name for these ladies.  Most will be the equivalent of a babysitter, will be in their 30s or older and will not speak any English).   As you're planning your discipline system, make sure it's something easy your Chinese helper can use also.  Your TA can help translate to your Chinese helper.
• Your classrooms
• Will have a bathroom/sink in the classroom
• No computer or projector in your classroom.   A little more 'old school' than the 1st grade and above classrooms.
• No wi-fi in the building
• There is a 'Teacher Office' that has a slow computer. You are encouraged to bring a laptop to plug in here when you want internet access, etc.    (My guess is you'll be doing most/all of your printing of worksheets and photocopies in the main campus across the street.  We can give you a 'buddy' to use their computer in your off period or evening.  Or if you bring a laptop, we can set it up to print in our office in the main  building)
• Your building has a movie room, library and gym.  So you won't need to take your students to the 'main school building' across the street.
• They'll tell us this schedule more clearly when we arrive, but lunches for your students will be delivered to your classroom.   Your TA and Chinese helper will help get the lunches passed out and students sitting in their chairs to eat.  After that, the TA and Chinese helper will go eat their lunch.  At the DBU teacher's lunchtime (and 1st grade and above lunchtime), the TA and Chinese helper will return and take care of the kids while you go across the street and eat with the team. 

Description of Classes

Today we received the below from the BJ school.  Please refer to the class number that we gave you to know which group your class fits into (the one that I said you'd never use again)  :)  
 

• Kindergarten level: It includes six different classes so far, and from class 1 to class 4 are mix classes with the SMIC kindergarteners and non-SMIC kindergarteners, they are comparatively lower than the fifth and sixth which are pure SMIC high-leveled kindergarteners. 
•   Level 1: It starts from class 7 to class 10; they are all first and second graders, mostly first graders. Class 7 and 8 are about the same level, while class 9 and 10 are a little bit higher.
• Level 2: It starts from class 11 to 13 including the students who are from Grade 1 to Grade 5, there is a big age gap among the students in each class, let’s take class 11 as an example, some students are from Grade 1 while two of them are fourth graders, most of them are second graders. From the information given by the parents and some of the students’ evaluation paper, class 12 seems a little higher than the other two. 
• Level 3: It includes the classes from 14 to 15, they are about the same English level and have pretty good students, there are several English Track first graders in class 14, and the others in both classes are mostly second and third graders. (Fast English learners)
• Level 4: From class 16 to class 18, aged from 9 to 12 (from Grade 3 up to Grade 12). Class 16 is lower than the other two.      
• Level 5: Two writing classes from class 19 to 20, the students in class 19 are from Grade 2 up to 4, eight students are from English Track second and third grades, while class 20 are from G5 to G7, most of them learn English well. 
• Level 6: Class 21 Leadership class. All junior high students with a good English foundation. 
• ALL LEVELS:  Again, there are always a few students from each class are a little higher than the others as some of the parents insist that their kids should be put in the same class although they are not on the same level.
  

Please don't edit documents in Curriculum Folder

Hi Everyone,

Please copy all of the files from the 'Curriculum' folder (link we sent you) to your own laptop or thumb drive.  

Do NOT edit any documents in the Dropbox.  

Anytime you make changes in Dropbox, it changes the document for everyone.  (I keep getting notifications that documents are being changed)    If you need help understanding how to do this, please let us know. 

Thank you! :)