Early School Experiences: Childhood Perceptions, Lessons, and Vocabulary

First Day at School: A Child's Perspective

This section describes the first day of school for a small, three-year-old boy. He experiences feelings of fear, loneliness, confusion, and feeling tiny. As a young child, he perceives other children as very big and observes them playing aggressive games, often excluding him.

He misunderstands the concept of a 'teacher,' believing she is 'the girl who serves tea' (tea-cher). Initially, he believes school fences are there to keep out monsters or wolves. However, he later reflects on whether their true purpose is to keep the children away from school.

Key Vocabulary from "First Day at School"

• Be/feel at home: sentir-se com a casa (to feel at home)
• Rough: aspre, agressiu (harsh, aggressive)
• Swallow up: amenaça (threat)
• Wellington Boots: botes d’aigua (rain boots)
• Sew, sewed, sewn: cosir (to sew)
• Puddle: basses (pools of water)

With Teeth: A Story of Nationalities

This text explores the theme of different nationalities coexisting in a school playground. It highlights two examples: a British girl with a Pakistani name, chosen by her mother, and a Pakistani girl given a British name for ease of integration.

Vocabulary from "With Teeth"

• Fish pond: bassa amb peixos (pond with fish)
• Football cage: pista de futbol tancada (enclosed football pitch)
• Hum a tune: tararear sin letra (to hum without words)
• Slip: lliscar i colar-se en un lloc (to slide and sneak into a place)

The Beast Teacher: A Lesson in Critical Thinking

The story is narrated by a student, depicting a scenario where all other teachers are against the protagonist teacher. The teacher explains a fossil species, describing it and giving it an invented name. It is later revealed that the entire explanation was fabricated, resulting in all students failing the exam. The teacher's intention was to impart a crucial lesson: students should not believe everything they see and must always verify facts.

Children's Evacuation: A WWII Perspective

This section describes the early days of World War II. The narrative is told from a young girl's perspective. From school, children are informed they will be taken to the countryside, equipped with gas masks and other provisions. Their true purpose, however, is to protect them from the war. Guards are stationed at the school gates to prevent parents from becoming overly emotional during the farewells.

Study and Learning: Essential English Vocabulary

Common Phrases for Academic Activities

• To take an exam: Sit / take an exam
• To conduct research: Carry out research
• To pursue a degree: Enroll on / take a degree
• To do homework: Write (e.g., write an essay, write notes)
• When attending a class where only the professor speaks (university): Lecture
• Certificate/Degree: Obtain or be awarded a degree
• To receive/acquire: Receive / acquire
• Vocabulary notebook: Keep a vocabulary notebook

General Vocabulary

• To feed: Donar el menjar
• Waiter/Waitress: Salador
• Legislator: Legisla la llei (person who legislates the law)
• Clench: apretar les dents (to clench one's teeth)
• Dig: cavar (to dig)
• Chone: enojarse (to get angry)
• Slap: bofetada (a blow with the open hand)
• Disapproval: desaprobación (disapproval)
• Despised: menysprear (to scorn, to despise)
• Take something for granted: donar per fet (to assume, to take for granted)