Tuesday, September 06, 2005

Thyphoon Update

The typhoon is moving slowly and it looks like it's heading north of Himeji. Many of the teachers were comparing this typhoon to Katrina and have told me that it will be as bad as Katrina. I know it's south of here right now. Hasegawa-sensei is going to pick me up again. I'm on the 4th floor, top floor of my building.

I taught 2 classes today. I worked with the 2nd and 3rd graders (8th and 9th grade in US). I had a really tough time with the 3rd graders. It was like pulling teeth trying to get them to participate....I think they are either too shy or too cool for English. The 2nd graders were awesome. I think it had to do with how the teachers manage their classes. Tomorrow, I get to work with the 1st graders (7th grade). Thursday, I'm going to the elementary school to teach the 6th graders. I've been preparing their lesson all day.

I think it's going to take quite a bit of work to engage the kids. I'm up for the task! The kids are so sweet and talkative in the hallways and at their club activities, but in the classroom they get really quiet and shy. I have a lot to figure out!

3 comments:

Gwynne Sullivan said...

Ok so here's the ticket: I say bring in a popular american song and a tape player and teach them the lyrics to the song. Something kind of funny maybe but of course appropriate. We have tons of those! They should love that! It doesn't even have to be one that's popular right now, it can be disco or some other era. It would probably help them to grasp English, too, since you know how it is when you get a catchy song in your head!

Anonymous said...

Hello Taube!
julian just stopped by and hooked us up to your blog, we have had fun reading about all of your cultural adventures so far!
I love Gwynne's American song idea. when i was in denmark at a conference, one of the Phoenix people brought a guitar and MANY of the Europeans took turns with it, serenading the group after dinner one night - and ALL the songs were from past eras. It will be fun to hear which era American songs the kids relate to! have fun on your adventure, love Lisa T(and her mom Julie who's here visiting!)

John Suitcase said...

Hi Taube!

When are you going to get your camera working? I want to see some pictures!

Hope all's well, I'll try to catch you online tonight (tomorrow morning for you, or would that be today for you and tomorrow for me...)