School in Madrid

The boys go to a school called Buen Consejo. Their school day in September and June is from 9:20 until 1:30pm and in October through May between 9:20am and 5pm. It is a Spanish school with about 4 hours of English a week, so not classed as a bilingual school as many other schools here are. Their class sizes are small- about 15. The grade cut off is by calendar year so the twins have boys on their soccer team that are in 6th grade and with a February birthday, Harry and Charley are now two of the oldest in the class. Yes, they are in the same class (as there is only one 5th grade) which is a first for them. It is kind of nice for me when it comes to homework. There aren't three different sets anymore only two and the twins help remind each other what has to be done.

First day of school 12- September -2011

Gym day for the 5th graders September -15-2011

The boys said they prefer NFSI, when Marie, Montse’s sister asked them. One of the twins – she does not know which - said “NFSI because you do not have to speak Spanish all the time”! The Spanish day for them is still very long but it is improving with time.
Other reasons why they prefer NFSI:
They miss their great friends back in the USA.
They have too much homework here -they keep telling me.
The food at school is not as good.
And more recently they have been wishing for a shorter or no recess so they could leave earlier. They have two play times and the second is pretty long (used to be a selling point but the day is long with the late finish, the soccer and then the homework afterwards).

Gym day for the 5th graders 22- September-2011

 Getting colder in the morning but still very hot afternoons 26 September 2011

I get the impression that without the responsive classroom setting there is more shouting and ultimately crying going on in the classrooms. All three boys complain that it is hard to work during the shouting. The teachers are also very particular about handwriting. I would say Billy's writing is already neat but he spends most of his homework time erasing and perfecting his work. Harry and Charley's teacher has told me already that their writing has improved. My neighbour/Spanish teacher has much neater writing compared to mine. 

Much colder in the mornings 20 October 2011

The boys aren't too fond of the school meals and in Spain you have to finish everything on your plate. Well Billy told me that often he has to wait until the lunch lady monitoring the dirty trays has left and gone to help someone before he goes up to put away his tray. I believe, they are learning with time to like the new foods they are trying and not just new systems to avoid new rules. 

Harry (Quique at school), Marisol (5th grade teaccher) and Carlos

In the main the boys are enjoying school. They have made some friends, although are missing those back home. Billy was disappointed to report that his grade in Spain (like NFSI) has more girls than boys but he is having fun anyway. Harry and Charley again have more boys in their class and they spent their first day just playing chess and teaching others the game. Their biggest complaint the first week was about the "annoying girl" in their class room. I asked the boys how she compared to the annoying girls back home and they replied - there are none. I thought that boys their age thought all girls were annoying - well I was wrong!

Billy (at school Guillermo, Guille or Willie) and Chuz (4th grade teacher)

On Monday October 3rd, the day before the school's feast day, the school had a sports day. The boys played sports all day. It was 6th graders against 5th graders. The 5th graders did not win the soccer but they did win the Basket ball and the relay race, some table tennis matches and the bowling. Fourth graders were against third graders and fourth grade won everything and won the school trophy for doing so. Everyone received a medal. Every child was allowed to bring a certain amount of money into school to buy snacks from the tuck shop. I believe my boys were drinking pop all day. A fun day of school was had by all and what's more there was no homework.

Billy's class with their sports day medals

5th grade class with their sports day medals

Both my school and the boys school are 20 minutes walk away from our apartment. We normally get the bus to their school in the morning but if we miss it we will walk and still arrive on time. The two schools are about 15 minutes walk apart. The only other time we get the bus is to soccer, otherwise we walk.