QuoteI am back in my bad travel school after being away for three weeks, and as expected, it is Hell. For the first class back I just wanted to play a game with them. The game is a simple boggle game. I show a grid of nine letters (3x3), each team tries to get as many words as possible in three minutes, then they have to eliminate the words they have in common. It sounds so easy, but implementing was torture. Getting them to do each step was like trying to steer a boat in churning waters, because they were so loud and not understanding the concept, even when my co-teacher explained it, and then they are all talking at once, every word is disputed, even ones that do not exist (like ‘ral’ and ‘lge’) and they just keep talking and talking. At first, after they had finished getting words in three minutes, I had one person from each team stand, and one would read a word, and I wanted it so that if they both had the word, they crossed it out, but of course the people sitting kept talking, the person would just read through the list, there would be discussions within each group (loud ones) and it was so f*ck*ng chaotic. I just wanted to play a game, for f*ck’s sake. And the co-teacher (Mr. Kim) was here, and was helping: he would try to direct the whole reading out loud process, but it was too much, and then I decided to just collect the papers and figure out which words were valid on my own each time, and though it made things run smoother it also made the game more boring. Argh, I hate this travel school.middle school? it sounds like you tried to do an activity that was a bit too complicated for them. I've found keeping things simple is usually better, and can help with classroom management.
I am back in my bad travel school after being away for three weeks, and as expected, it is Hell. For the first class back I just wanted to play a game with them. The game is a simple boggle game. I show a grid of nine letters (3x3), each team tries to get as many words as possible in three minutes, then they have to eliminate the words they have in common. It sounds so easy, but implementing was torture. Getting them to do each step was like trying to steer a boat in churning waters, because they were so loud and not understanding the concept, even when my co-teacher explained it, and then they are all talking at once, every word is disputed, even ones that do not exist (like ‘ral’ and ‘lge’) and they just keep talking and talking. At first, after they had finished getting words in three minutes, I had one person from each team stand, and one would read a word, and I wanted it so that if they both had the word, they crossed it out, but of course the people sitting kept talking, the person would just read through the list, there would be discussions within each group (loud ones) and it was so f*ck*ng chaotic. I just wanted to play a game, for f*ck’s sake. And the co-teacher (Mr. Kim) was here, and was helping: he would try to direct the whole reading out loud process, but it was too much, and then I decided to just collect the papers and figure out which words were valid on my own each time, and though it made things run smoother it also made the game more boring. Argh, I hate this travel school.
There are a few games like this that can take a class period to get the kids familiar with game play. Battleship is one of them. If they get the concept, you can whip it out for future lessons and modify activities for it so easily. It gets them speaking and they really like the competition/secrecy. But explaining how to mark your own guesses to map your partner's waters and getting them to understand how to mark their partner's guesses so they can properly respond can be a nightmare the first time around. One of those games that so easy to demonstrate, yet way more complicated than it should be to articulate. Animating a PPT is best so all can see, but tedious in and of itself.
Quote from: nomadicmadda on October 20, 2015, 01:40:38 pmThere are a few games like this that can take a class period to get the kids familiar with game play. Battleship is one of them. If they get the concept, you can whip it out for future lessons and modify activities for it so easily. It gets them speaking and they really like the competition/secrecy. But explaining how to mark your own guesses to map your partner's waters and getting them to understand how to mark their partner's guesses so they can properly respond can be a nightmare the first time around. One of those games that so easy to demonstrate, yet way more complicated than it should be to articulate. Animating a PPT is best so all can see, but tedious in and of itself.It was difficult to teach adults how to do this. I tried to do it using the expressions that we were using in class, and that just went too far over their heads. The next class I just brought the simple, normal battleship game and had them play. Finally they figured it out. I've used it a couple times since then. Before they figured it out though, that was one of my more frustrating experiences.
For the past few years I have arranged my schools Halloween activity. Through trial and error I have figured out what works and what doesn't. The activities always go smoothly and the kids seem to enjoy themselves. This year, the boss wants to do one of the activities outside. (I think she is looking for an opportunity to get some free advertising.) Personally I think it is an incredibly bad idea to take the students out to the small paved plaza area in front of the school. The area is a popular drinking area for ajjoshis and atleast for the later part of the day, it will be dark. Even though I know she will not be disuaded, I mention my concerns. As expected she shrugs them off. No problem. I take some time and come up with a few suggestions for activites. They next time I see her she tells me she has taken care of the activites. She then presents me with her activites. She bought one of those alligator things that bite down when you press the wrong tooth and the old pirate in a barrel thing that pops out if you put the sword in the wrong slot. That's it. There will be 20-30 kids at a time doing these "activities". This will be a disaster.
Quote from: nermal on October 20, 2015, 02:28:54 pmQuote from: nomadicmadda on October 20, 2015, 01:40:38 pmThere are a few games like this that can take a class period to get the kids familiar with game play. Battleship is one of them. If they get the concept, you can whip it out for future lessons and modify activities for it so easily. It gets them speaking and they really like the competition/secrecy. But explaining how to mark your own guesses to map your partner's waters and getting them to understand how to mark their partner's guesses so they can properly respond can be a nightmare the first time around. One of those games that so easy to demonstrate, yet way more complicated than it should be to articulate. Animating a PPT is best so all can see, but tedious in and of itself.It was difficult to teach adults how to do this. I tried to do it using the expressions that we were using in class, and that just went too far over their heads. The next class I just brought the simple, normal battleship game and had them play. Finally they figured it out. I've used it a couple times since then. Before they figured it out though, that was one of my more frustrating experiences.came here to say this. i've done it many a time with adults, and it's always proved a little tricky.. even when demonstrating!
Quote from: nermal on October 20, 2015, 02:28:54 pmQuote from: nomadicmadda on October 20, 2015, 01:40:38 pmThere are a few games like this that can take a class period to get the kids familiar with game play. Battleship is one of them. If they get the concept, you can whip it out for future lessons and modify activities for it so easily. It gets them speaking and they really like the competition/secrecy. But explaining how to mark your own guesses to map your partner's waters and getting them to understand how to mark their partner's guesses so they can properly respond can be a nightmare the first time around. One of those games that so easy to demonstrate, yet way more complicated than it should be to articulate. Animating a PPT is best so all can see, but tedious in and of itself.It was difficult to teach adults how to do this. I tried to do it using the expressions that we were using in class, and that just went too far over their heads. The next class I just brought the simple, normal battleship game and had them play. Finally they figured it out. I've used it a couple times since then. Before they figured it out though, that was one of my more frustrating experiences.Korea just lacks problem solving capabilities in general... and it obviously all stems from their early education; as there is absolutely no critical thinking or problem solving required.The fact that even adults, with very good visual aids, prompts etc... regardless of language, cant understand how to play simple games is mind blowing to me. Korean's CAN"T think for themselves. They aren't taught to, and society doesn't allow for it. It's frustrating.I am super confident, that I could take any age group of westerners, and they would understand the concept of yunnori (Which is more complicated that battleship) speak to them in Korean, but have the same amount of visual aid etc.. and they would get it in about 20 min or less.2:Spent all afternoon yesterday creating a scavenger hunt type game, with six different routes for six different groups... CT and I were suppose to do it together, obviously during her free time she did prep or plan anything... so when I didn't have class, I pretty much walked out, and planned everything, and created the materials....Come in today... I think we should cancel because of micro dust...
The air is so disgusting atm, feel like im gonna cough up my lungs at any given moment. An asthmatic does not belong in this air*dying*
Mods, why did I just receive a 25% warning for this?The elf is the troll, not me. You guys really are becoming a joke. Careful what you wish for. We asked for you. Rule with a fair hand.
Quote from: Imogen1991 on October 21, 2015, 09:56:24 amThe air is so disgusting atm, feel like im gonna cough up my lungs at any given moment. An asthmatic does not belong in this air*dying* I asked my students how the weather was today and they said "foggy!" I said nope, thats smog. I've been wearing a mask all day. The air index in my city is 155 (not healthy.) That's twice as worse as Taipei and Shanghai.I'm surprised more Korean's aren't wearing masks.
