Week 1
Phil here,
well well well don't we have allot to say today? As all of you faithful readers know all too well, this week was our first meeting/teaching the children, and it was quite a week.
On Monday we walked to the school at 8:15, and after a short walk up the mountain arrived at a small building perched on a rock ledge. We went into the teachers lounge, a small building separate from the school to prepare ourselves for our first meeting with the children. SM then walked in to give us the discomforting news that we would be flying solo today. We had been told by Jiwan that we would spend the first couple of days observing the other teachers, and then slowly begin to teach ourselves. SM thought otherwise and insisted that we were more than competent enough to handle them ourselves. the main problem now was, what to do with the class? we had not anticipated this and as a result had nothing planed. so taking a deep breath we walked up the steps to class IV.
needless to say that there was a rather awkward moment when we first entered the room. without warning the students rose as one and chanted "good morning sir! good morning miss!" in a lyrical fashion. they then continued to stand until Eliza tentatively told them they could sit. this caused them to bust out once again as one "thank you miss!" following the self same tune as their earlier chant. We then introduced ourselves and asked for them to do the same. after they stood one by one, hands behind their back to tell us their names, ages, etc.. we set out to ascertain the extent of their knowledge. As it turns out, they are not quite fluent, but just enough so that Eliza and I struggle to find something to teach them.
this general pattern was followed for the other periods of the day, where we met with class IV, III, and II. Since we have also met class I.
Class IV are about 11 and very knowledgeable of the English language. We have decided to expand their vocabulary for the time being, and have taken the word from a book that is read aloud to them. We attempted to use "A Wrinkle in Time," but they did not seem to understand. I read the book that day and upon reflection, the content and overall vocabulary is far to difficult for them. We have switched to book to "Dear Mr. Henshaw" and the class was enthusiastic at the change. They have a quiz on Monday lucky them.
Class III are almost at the same level as Class IV and we have decided to pursue a similar regiment with them until we can better pinpoint the areas of their English that need to be filled in. Rather than a chapter book, we are using simpler "ladybug " books to provide the material. they have a quiz on Thursday.
Class II are a far cry from the bright Children of class III they struggle to use verbs and modifiers correctly. We are teaching them about the proper use of the verb "to be" and will them move on to singular and plural nouns and how they change a sentence.
Class I are adorable little munchkins who are a little lower than class II, but they are very receptive and i am confident that they will do fine. they struggle with the concept of telling time and we are teaching them just that.
that is all for now, more next week about the schedule of the day and such
well well well don't we have allot to say today? As all of you faithful readers know all too well, this week was our first meeting/teaching the children, and it was quite a week.
On Monday we walked to the school at 8:15, and after a short walk up the mountain arrived at a small building perched on a rock ledge. We went into the teachers lounge, a small building separate from the school to prepare ourselves for our first meeting with the children. SM then walked in to give us the discomforting news that we would be flying solo today. We had been told by Jiwan that we would spend the first couple of days observing the other teachers, and then slowly begin to teach ourselves. SM thought otherwise and insisted that we were more than competent enough to handle them ourselves. the main problem now was, what to do with the class? we had not anticipated this and as a result had nothing planed. so taking a deep breath we walked up the steps to class IV.
needless to say that there was a rather awkward moment when we first entered the room. without warning the students rose as one and chanted "good morning sir! good morning miss!" in a lyrical fashion. they then continued to stand until Eliza tentatively told them they could sit. this caused them to bust out once again as one "thank you miss!" following the self same tune as their earlier chant. We then introduced ourselves and asked for them to do the same. after they stood one by one, hands behind their back to tell us their names, ages, etc.. we set out to ascertain the extent of their knowledge. As it turns out, they are not quite fluent, but just enough so that Eliza and I struggle to find something to teach them.
this general pattern was followed for the other periods of the day, where we met with class IV, III, and II. Since we have also met class I.
Class IV are about 11 and very knowledgeable of the English language. We have decided to expand their vocabulary for the time being, and have taken the word from a book that is read aloud to them. We attempted to use "A Wrinkle in Time," but they did not seem to understand. I read the book that day and upon reflection, the content and overall vocabulary is far to difficult for them. We have switched to book to "Dear Mr. Henshaw" and the class was enthusiastic at the change. They have a quiz on Monday lucky them.
Class III are almost at the same level as Class IV and we have decided to pursue a similar regiment with them until we can better pinpoint the areas of their English that need to be filled in. Rather than a chapter book, we are using simpler "ladybug " books to provide the material. they have a quiz on Thursday.
Class II are a far cry from the bright Children of class III they struggle to use verbs and modifiers correctly. We are teaching them about the proper use of the verb "to be" and will them move on to singular and plural nouns and how they change a sentence.
Class I are adorable little munchkins who are a little lower than class II, but they are very receptive and i am confident that they will do fine. they struggle with the concept of telling time and we are teaching them just that.
that is all for now, more next week about the schedule of the day and such
posted by Eliza and Phil at 9:39 AM
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