Quote from: chelseajk on September 29, 2016, 01:04:14 pmOur super stressful open class is over! (Now just two for the parents but that shouldn't be too bad.) My poor co was so nervous during our open class that she was shaking, but it went really well and the kids were so well-behaved. I could tell the kids were nervous too though because they sat straight up in their desks and just stared at me the whole time; they were too nervous to turn around and see the 18 or so teachers who were watching our class.After it was over the VP came up to me, grabbed my hand, stared me in the eyes, and earnestly said, "This is the best English class I have ever seen." I'm so glad it's done with and her comment made all of the prep worth it. In 5th grade a couple girls have been begging to play Sleeping Elephants, so we did that today. Some boys whined and moaned but I told them they could sit at the back of the class if they didn't want to play. All the kids looked like they had fun (even the grumpy boys got really into), and at the end of the class the two girls ran up to me and thanked me for the game. I've been having trouble connecting with the girls in this class (they are so darn quiet) but I think we're getting there. Why was your coteacher so nervous? Is she new to teaching English? Or just a new teacher in general?
Our super stressful open class is over! (Now just two for the parents but that shouldn't be too bad.) My poor co was so nervous during our open class that she was shaking, but it went really well and the kids were so well-behaved. I could tell the kids were nervous too though because they sat straight up in their desks and just stared at me the whole time; they were too nervous to turn around and see the 18 or so teachers who were watching our class.After it was over the VP came up to me, grabbed my hand, stared me in the eyes, and earnestly said, "This is the best English class I have ever seen." I'm so glad it's done with and her comment made all of the prep worth it. In 5th grade a couple girls have been begging to play Sleeping Elephants, so we did that today. Some boys whined and moaned but I told them they could sit at the back of the class if they didn't want to play. All the kids looked like they had fun (even the grumpy boys got really into), and at the end of the class the two girls ran up to me and thanked me for the game. I've been having trouble connecting with the girls in this class (they are so darn quiet) but I think we're getting there.
Why was your coteacher so nervous? Is she new to teaching English? Or just a new teacher in general?
I just blew my sixth graders' minds by playing Salt n Pepa's "whatta man" for them.Their 'new' favorite I.O.I. song is actually 22 years old.
Quote from: Lurch on September 30, 2016, 11:37:00 amI just blew my sixth graders' minds by playing Salt n Pepa's "whatta man" for them.Their 'new' favorite I.O.I. song is actually 22 years old.Its actually 48 years old cuz Linda Lydell sang it back in 1968. But that explains why I have been hearing it lately.
Quote from: chelseajk on October 06, 2016, 02:10:35 pmMy debilitating cold did not stop me from powering through two open classes for parents. They went fairly well and it's over and school life can get back to normal now. Just one more day of school then this weekend is the Hwaseong Cultural Festival and the fireworks festival in Seoul. I don't know if that will be worth the crowds but I love fireworks so we'll see how it goes.I hope you don't mind crowds. I live super close to the fireworks festival and have literally never gone to it, because it's just goofy crowded.
My debilitating cold did not stop me from powering through two open classes for parents. They went fairly well and it's over and school life can get back to normal now. Just one more day of school then this weekend is the Hwaseong Cultural Festival and the fireworks festival in Seoul. I don't know if that will be worth the crowds but I love fireworks so we'll see how it goes.
Quote from: moonbrie on October 07, 2016, 12:47:34 pmI have this student in first grade who is really not very good at English. I remember the first or second class I talked to the teacher about how she refused to answer any questions or practice reading the conversation in the book, and she said "oh yeah, she can't speak English" as if this meant I was free to give up on teaching her. I remember being very upset about it. Her English has improved a tiny bit, but the biggest change is she seems much happier in English class and likes me a lot!!! I just had her class and she always does the heart-hand thing at me casually until I notice and give her a heart back, and she smiles and looks so happy.Even if I didn't help her with English much, I'm happy at least if I can brighten her day.Ugh this grinds my gears so much. Some teachers think, "Oh, X student isn't good at Y subject. Better not bother with them and focus on the ones who are good already."That's literally not how you're supposed to teach. The students who are already good at something are either 1) self-motivated enough that they don't need excessive attention from teacher, or 2) going to enough hagwon that they're already way ahead of the game and don't need you. Teachers who only focus on the high level students are literally just taking the path of least resistance to getting through the workday. Miserable.
I have this student in first grade who is really not very good at English. I remember the first or second class I talked to the teacher about how she refused to answer any questions or practice reading the conversation in the book, and she said "oh yeah, she can't speak English" as if this meant I was free to give up on teaching her. I remember being very upset about it. Her English has improved a tiny bit, but the biggest change is she seems much happier in English class and likes me a lot!!! I just had her class and she always does the heart-hand thing at me casually until I notice and give her a heart back, and she smiles and looks so happy.Even if I didn't help her with English much, I'm happy at least if I can brighten her day.