Time to teach!

Tomorrow, I will teach my first English lesson and couldn't be more excited. I feel very prepared, and my Technical Coordinator has been working with my cluster closely to prepare the perfect first lessons! In Ukraine, you are required to have a written lesson plan for each class you teach, with a very detailed outline to be followed. At any time, the principal of the school could walk into class and ask to see it. If you don't have it, you won't be teaching that day. Not sure what the kids do...we really didn't go that far. It was just emphasized to us that a written lesson plan is a must.
I didn't get to choose my lesson topic, but rather it was the next one in the book of the form (class) I've been paired with. But had I been allowed to choose, this most definitely would have been it. The topic: "Different Families, Different Lives". My 40 minute lesson focuses on critical thinking rather than the traditional grammar or vocabulary, and I explore what other families and lives from around the world look look like. For me, this is a great first topic, because I essentially get to teach the lesson while introducing myself! One of the many things that I am thankful I brought was a photo album of my family and friends. Not only is it a fantastic ice breaker for the first meal with a host mother you can't communicate with, it fits in perfectly with my lesson of explaining lives from different cultures. Funny how things work out sometimes.
To say that I'm not nervous AT ALL would be a lie, but I've put a lot of time and effort into these 40 minutes. One thing I do know, I won't be going in with the "You know what they say about the first pancake..." mentality. I am confident in my ability, and have a well planned out, structured lesson. I'm excited to let you know how it goes, and what they say about my wonderful family and friends! If you happen to wake up in the middle of the night tonight, think of me showing off your picture in a small Ukrainian village and have a laugh.