No, the girl I replaced is back in South Africa but she tracked me down through a friend so she could give me the low-down and we've been chatting on Facebook from time to time. She's super nice.
What's everyone sick with? That sucks having a house full of sickies!
So, I finally had some success with the 1-2 graders! We went over class rules today, I showed them pictures of behaviors and had them tell me "good" or "bad". They're really cute and animated about everything. But now we've established what I expect them to do and I told them there would be a reward if they worked hard. I've been learning bits of Korean that I throw in to help them understand things too. I opened and closed class with a pixar short to get them to quiet down and sit and then we did action songs. They've learned the term "One more time!" really fast and want me to play everything twice. I used the Rusty and Rosie alphabet songs that Haley used to listen to in Kindergarten and they sang along. While all this was going on, I gave them workbooks I'd made with letters of the alphabet paired with pictures, connect-the-dots and maze games. They all colored in their books and practiced writing letters while I played a powerpoint and videos to go over phonics. It went soooo much smoother almost everyone participated this time around. (it helps that I hid the toy food they'd kept playing with last time). They will literally repeat anything I say, they're very eager and curious about English for the most part.
Before I started the lesson, I made sure everyone was sitting in a desk with eyes forward. A few of the girls like to police everybody so they always help me with calling role and yell at the other kids to pay attention. They're very sweet. The kids loved their workbooks though and begged me to let them take them home but I wanted them to keep working on them during class so I collected them. I had a lot of angry kids going out because of that but I think I'll let them take the books home next time since they liked them so much. Glad it paid off because I spent hours putting them together and even used some supplies that I'd bought myself.
There's one little first-grade boy who's very cute and friendly. He always stops me in the hall to tell me a story and I never have any idea what he's saying but I pretend to understand by saying "chinja?" (Oh, really?) over and over. It always keeps him going and he never expects much more than for me to listen. Today he came rushing into the classroom yelling "Yongo Sansangniiiiiiim!" (English teacher!) and tackled me with a hug. It completely made my day.
I'm bummed though because today I actually got to school really excited to teach and feeling really prepared. I'd played a game with some of the kids yesterday at a different school that was a huge hit and I couldn't wait to play it again with the kids at Cheonjeon. (It's the end of their units so the game is kind of a reward) But then Mr. Song texted me and told me English was cancelled today for an assembly and I'd only have 1-2 grade after school. I was kind of disappointed. Most days I get really anxious and hope that classes will get cancelled but it only happens the days I'm looking forward to lessons. So I spent most of the day lesson planning for the rest of the week.
I think I've gotten a feel for things though. This week has gone so much better than any other week so far and I've really seen myself improving. My instructions are clearer, the kids are more engaged, and I don't have awkward pauses not knowing what to do next. Plus I've got a flash drive full of games that have tested well with the kids. (The third graders always make requests now when they see my game file come up on the screen). It's amazing what a few weeks time can do. I still have a long way to go but there's a light at the end of the tunnel.
Anyway, I've got to go. It's payday and traditionally the new teacher brings a treat for the other teachers on payday. Mr. Song asked me to join them for Badminton and give my gift then (the salt water taffies and choco-cinnamon bears I'd brought). Hopefully they don't hate them!
Talk to you later
-Whit
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