Learn and Teach

My cute new student

2010-02-01T08:38:00.000-08:00

Vacation is finished. Some students said they were happy because they met their school friends and some said they had terrible day because class started today. But my topic is not about their ended vacation but about my new student. She was supposed to be in our institute by 2p.m. I thought she wasn't coming. I thought her mom changed her mind to send her in the academy either because she's young or she moved to another institute. But yes! She appeared at 2:37. The class has to finish at 2:50 but I couldn't do it because of her. I had to finish at past 3. The reason is because she came very late, it's her first time and I tried my best to finish two pages. In fairness, she's cute and smart so I like her. hehe..

It's not easy to teach Korean students

2010-01-09T00:37:00.000-08:00

I'm tired of teaching so I'm planning to quit my job but that's not going to be easy. It's not easy to quit when you know that you are teaching because you want to help. I think i'm helping my boss because I'm doing my best so his business will become successful. I also believe that I'm helping my students because I always do my best so that they can learn even when they are sometimes rude and naughty. I sometimes feel like losing my temper but want to throw them away out of the window but I just take a deep breath instead. Sometimes I feel like my head is going to explode because of stress and anger that I always keep deep within me.

Oh well, it's not always easy to teach Korean students.

Students who always complain

2009-09-26T21:12:00.000-07:00

I hate my 6 o'clock class. They don't do anything but to complain. It's very stressful to teach them. I remember when I first taught them, they couldn't read or write even a single word like "she" or "they". It always took us 30 minutes to read and learn the spelling of ten of the sight words. And now I can say that they improved a lot. They can't only read fast but they can also write and explain even hard words. Of course that wasn't an easy job. I always argue with them everytime we meet. They always say that I always give them hard works. We have to learn words, explain what they have read, study the pronunciation and give homeworks. They said they haven't studied like that before. I know that's why they were stupid. Actually, I also taught them phonics on my first month of meeting them because they couldn't read or write. But until now it's hard to correct their pronunciation because whenever I teach them the correct pronunciation, they get angry easily so sometimes I'd rather ignore them because I get much stress.

Before we start the class, they always tell me to study a little and leave early. That's everyday that I always want to put earphone on my ears before I start the class. I don't hate them but I hate their bad attitudes with regards to studying. I always want them to learn but they are not interested enough. Do I get more salary if they learn a lot? Of course not! Would my salary decrease if they don't learn? Absolutely not! I just want to do my job so I'm trying my best so that they could learn. They should know that! Yes, they should!

Tell the whole earth

2009-08-22T23:46:00.000-07:00

I was in the office while waiting for my next class. While waiting for them, I checked my cellphone if I got a missed call or text messages. There wasn't any. It's also my habit to check the pictures on my cellphone. I was alone in the office so I decided to take a picture of me. I was posing like a cute lady when two of my students came and saw me. They laughed at me and didn't stop teasing me until the class started. During our class, they wanted me to play but I didn't allow them. We had to finished the book for this month so it seems like we are running out of time to finish it next week. Then my students said they would tell my boss on what they saw in the office. I said I wasn't scared of it. Then they said they would tell the whole students about it. I said that was okay. Then they said they would tell all parents. They couldn't convinced me so they finally said that they would put on the internet. Are they saying that they would tell the whole earth about my picture taking? hahahaha....

They are so cute but not funny! hehehe...

Summer Vacation

2009-07-29T10:53:00.001-07:00

School Summer Vacation has started last week. There are many students who missed the class for 2-3 days because they are going on vacation. Some of them visited other countries and others just inside the country but stayed in one place for many days. There are also students who quit because they went abroad to study.

Students are very proud to share about their vacation to their classmates. Students who have been on vacation were telling about their fun time when they were away and some of them are telling where they are going on their coming vacation. I noticed that one of my students was very quiet. Then someone asked her, she said she's not going anywhere because her parents are afraid of the swine flu. I think her parents have a point there. I told her that I'm not going anywhere either so she can come to my house during our vacation. She smiled and I hope my words made her feel more relieved and comfortable.

Reason for being absent

2009-07-12T05:07:00.000-07:00

My student wasn't coming. He was already 20 minutes late so I called him at home. He answered the phone and said he was coming. After 10 minutes, he called again and said that he couldn't come because someone came and explained him about the church. He said he was trying to leave but the man didn't want to let him go. I don't know what kind of church it was and I'm not against the church but I was upset because they disturb people specially kids in their studies. There was no wrong if they were on time but to disturb a kid from studying is not right.

I told my student to leave that man and just come even when he was late for more than 30 minutes. It's okay to be absent for a day but if the reason is just because of that guy that he met in front of his apartment, then that unreasonable. I'm not angry with my students. I'm angry with that guy. I just hope that his intention is really to bring him to the church and not what I see on tv whose trying to get the heart of the kids and then just bring them somewhere and ask for money.

The Mole

2009-06-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

Have you ever seen a mole? What do they look like?

Have you ever walked across a lawn and found a little ridge where there was none before? Have you wondered how it got there? It was probably made by a little animal about six inches long called a mole. Very few people have seen a mole because they usually stay underground digging tunnels. They have thick, soft gray fur with a short tail that looks like an angleworm. They have tiny eyes that covered up by the fur on their face. The mole only sees light and dark. He doesn't need to see anything else.

Party for Children's Day

2009-05-05T07:59:00.000-07:00

Every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, students go to school. But last Saturday, it was a holiday because of Buddha's Birthday and today is another holiday because of Children's Day. And because it's holiday today and it's children's day so we had a party for the students yesterday.

We give some points to the students who study hard. They collect the points and use them as their money when we have a party. We sold some school supplies and food to the students. We had some quizzes and the 1st, 2nd and 3rd would get points. Students had much fun playing with their classmates and they enjoyed eating some food. It's just too pityful to see some students who doesn't have much point so I just gave them some free stuffs and food as a present for Children's Day. I hope they would study hard next time so that they could get more points and enjoy more the next party.

Stay late at work

2009-04-18T12:02:00.000-07:00

The students are preparing for their exam so we have to stay to work until 11p.m. or sometimes until midnight. We also sometimes go on weekends so we are tired before the exam. The students are pitiful because they look hungry and sleepy but they have to stay until late at night. They also say that they get much stress studying but we can't do anything for that. No pain, No gain! If they want to get a higher grade then they have to suffer.

Actually, I really don't understand the education system here. The students are forced to study including elementary grade school students until late at night. There are lots of institutes that they have to attend not to mention their tutorials at home. So I understand when the students complained. I also understand when they can't understand any of what I teach. Maybe they are confused, over studied or their heads are full to accept learning.

My special class

2009-04-11T07:09:00.000-07:00

I don't like attending my special class. They are very naughty and it seems like they are not learning anything. I don't know if they just come to have fun or to study. There are not interested in learning and they just always laught. I don't know why their parents want them to have a conversation class when they are not good at conversation. They even don't know simple English so it's hard to teach them. I'm trying not to speak Korean because it's a conversation class but I am forced to translate everything in Korean because i'm worried that they can't understand what I am teaching. I think they are paying more than the other students because they are special class. They can just join the other class so I don't have to consider them always. It's because they are special so their parents expect too much from me. There would be no problem if their kids are interested but even if I do my best, if they don't participate then they can't learn. I already did everything for them. I even tried to hit them or took some points but it didn't work. They are still naughty. My boss always comes in my classroom and talks to them angrily but they just laughed and smiled.

They don't listen to my boss then how could they listen to me? Yesterday, I told my boss to teach instead of me. But my boss left and said he would come back after a few minutes but he never came back. He just asked me after my class if they were still naughty. I said they never changed. Haaayyy....

How do beavers build their homes?

2009-04-10T08:36:00.000-07:00

When my hubby went to Canada, he gave me a beaver doll as a present. The doll is very cute. Since then, I started to like to the beavers. Their wide tail and big front teeth looks very cute and interesting. Now that I found this interesting facts about beavers so i'm gonna share it to you. You may be also interested.

Beavers are very busy animals. They build their homes with the mud, woods and stones. They live on land and in the water. They use their sharp and strong teeth to cut down trees that they use when they build their houses. They cut the trees by gnawing around the tree trunk near the ground. Every year they a fresh layer of mud around their houses which made their wall become very thich after a few years.

Beavers usually build their houses in a stream where the entrances are underwater. They are very friendly and like each other's company. Their houses are built close together, but they don't build doors or openings between them. Beavers are not only hardworking but also smart.

My student who always brings me drinks

2009-04-09T09:45:00.000-07:00

I have a student who always gives me some drinks. He said his mom asked him to give them to me. He just doesn't bring one but a dozen. Today was his fourth times after 2 months of studying with me. I don't know how to give thanks to his mom but whenever I call her, she said he was just thankful that her son always comes home happy after his class. That student of mine is the only son so I understand his mom. If she just knew that I also like his son because he studies very hard. He never made any mistake in every exams that I give. He always participates in the class and he enjoys using the words that he has learned. I wish all my students are like him.

Btw, my student's mom also said that her son studies very hard at home. He suddenly became interested in learning a new language. She said she never saw her son like that before. I'm glad that there are people who are satisfied with my teachings. I hope she's not the only one.

My naughty student

2009-04-02T07:57:00.000-07:00

I have a student who doesn't do anything during the class but to laugh. He always makes fun of his classmate or himself. I don't think he's learning in my class. Even when I talk to him or get angry with him, nothing works. Even when my boss talks to him, he doesn't know how to stop. My boss even asked if he can't concentrate in the class, then he has to call his mom and make a decision like what my boss did here. His mom expects too much but we can't do anything for his son. He's not interested in learning. When I asked if he could understand he says "Yeeesssss" with a very loud voice but when you asked about the topic, he can't understand any.

We always listen to the tape and when he hears any sound then he stands up and dances. It's hard to handle him. He's not the only student in that class so just can't act like that. That was my last period so I always have to send him home later than the other students and we study together. I don't know what kind of head he has. It's very hard for him to memorize five words a day. I always ask him to repeat after me or say the word 10x then change the word. After saying another word, I go back with the first word that we learn and he can't remember anything. Even when you just ask the word alternatively, he can't remember after saying another word. Hew!

How to grow plants?

2009-03-15T07:26:00.000-07:00

Spring is coming soon. What a great time to plant specially flowering plants. If you want to see a plant grow under your eyes, here's a good project for you to do this spring. If you have a younger sibling, you can pretend to be the teacher and make it a learning project. It would also be great for your kids. First, buy some gladiolus bulbs, you can plant them inside or outside. For one bulb, a flowerpot is big enough. Be sure to keep the soil damp. After three or four weeks, a little green shoot should appear. One little girl saw the shoot right before her nap. When she woke up, she looked at it again. It had grown so much that she could see the difference. She was amazed. Teach your brother or sister how to measure the shoot. Write down how tall it is every day. If you have a camera, you can even take pictures of it every three or four days. The gladiolus will grow so fast as it will amaze you, too. Most gladiolus plants produce flowers.

Questions for Conversation Class

2009-03-07T23:56:00.000-08:00

Here are some questions to use when you study about students' favorite season. You can make another question by changing the season.

1. When does spring start?
2. Are you happy that it is the end of winter? why/not?
3. What do you like to do in winter?
4. What can you see in Spring?
5. What is the weather like in winter?
6. Are you usually happy when the school holiday starts? why/not?
7. Where do you usually go in summer?
8. What do you usually do in summer?
9. What kind of clothes do you wear in summer?
10. Is it very hot in your country in summer?
11. Do you like hot weather? why/not?
12. What the best thing about summer?
13. What the worst thing about summer?
14. Do you go out with your friends in winter?
15. What do you usually do when you go out in winter?
16. What is your favorite season? Why?

If you have another idea or want to include more questions please leave a comment and i'll add it.

Games for teaching

2009-02-28T23:33:00.000-08:00

Everytime I meet my students, they always asked if they can play a game. I always prepare games for them but I always say that if they don't study hard, they can't play a game so they always pay attention. I prepare games related to our topic so they also learn while they are playing. There are lots of games to do in the class. If our lesson is about verbs, we do the mime game and I called it a guessing game or action game. One will act in front of the class and the students will guess using the right sentence like "Are you ______?" and it must be answered by "Yes, I am or No, I'm not." This game is more fun if you make some flashcards and let the leader to pick up a card and act so they can't choose what they want or else the hardest one will be left so they won't participate at the last one. If you don't have the flahscards then just write the words on a piece of paper and let them pick up. It is advisable if your students can read. For starters, flashcards is better.

There are times that it's hard to think of a game for a particular lesson. Then just do the hangman game. The leader will come in front and choose a word on the pages that they have taken and write lines according to the letters. If the word is "apple" then he would draw five lines. The remaining student will guess the word by saying a letter. The leader will write down the letter on the line if it is correct and the wrong are under the lines. Every wrong letter, the leader will draw each part of the body until it will become a man. Someone who can guess the correct word will say the spelling and the meaning of the word and it will be his/her turn to be a leader.

A Rainy Day Project

2009-02-20T06:08:00.001-08:00

A Rainy Day Project

What can you do on a rainy day? Why not make something to brighten up your room? One fun project is a collage. To make a collage, you first need to get a small piece of cardboard. Choose one of your favorite stars or anything else you like. Then cut out pictures of them from magazines. An old calendar is also a great material to use. Arrange and paste the pictures to cover the whole cardboard. You can also use egg shells to make designs. First, dry the egg shell and then crush them. Color each piece with felt markers or food color if you have some. Get a small piece of cardboard. Arrange the colored egg shells in a design you like and paste them to the cardboard. Make sure you cover the whole cardboard. Or draw your own design like animals, clothes, bags, etc then cover it with the colored egg shells.

Have fun!

Points (dallant)

2009-02-19T07:48:00.000-08:00

I usually give points (dallant) to students when they study hard. I have a student who receives points almost everyday. Today, he told me that I didn't give him point last week. Oooppsss...! He was asking for points because he said I didn't give him last week. I said, I don't give points everyday. Because I always give him points, he thinks everytime he's present in the class, he can receive point. Of course not! I told him because he studied hard that's why I gave him points. He didn't wanna leave today. He said he would only leave If I would give him points for last week. What?! I said, "Don't leave and live here." His eyes were red and he almost cried when I left him in the classroom. I said, I would call my boss so that he could call his mom and pick him up then he suddenly stood up.

Before he left, I talked to him. I helped him put his coat and he looked happy when he left although I didn't give him points. I realized that giving points everyday is not good.

Cheer up!

2009-02-16T06:45:00.000-08:00

My high school student came 2 hours earlier than her class time. I was having a class when she came and my boss asked her if she could wait for me. She's my special student. She pays higher than the other students because she's the only student in that class. I always have an hour break time before I enter to her class but she asked me if she could study earlier. I said it was fine so we started earlier but her parents called her during our class. I never let my students use cellphone in the class but I allowed her today because she said she had a trouble with her mom. I could hear their conversation and I heard how angry her mom and dad were which made her cry in front of me. She also took off the battery of her cellphone.

A few minutes before our class ends, she asked me what time do we usually go home so she asked a favor if she could stay there until that time. I said yes, so I stayed with her and we had class until everyone had to go home. I feel so sorry and worried about her. I know how she felt at that time. If I could just stay with her for a long time. But I think she also need to go home and have a talk with her parents. I hope everything will go well to her.

Cheer up my dear student and friend! And thanks for trusting me to tell everything about how you feel. In case that you need me again, I'm always here for you to listen and willing to help you if I could.

They are sick but they go to school

2009-02-12T06:48:00.000-08:00

What do you think of going to school when you are sick? What would you do if your student is sick but told you that the parent told him/her to attend the class? Today, my student was very sick when he came in class. I saw his red face and eyes as soon as he entered the classroom so I asked what seemed to be the problem. He said he was sick. He has a cold and fever. I thought he cried because of his red eyes. It's not the first time that I saw a very sick student who attended my class. I don't know why parents let their children to go to school even when they are sick and why do students attend the class when they don't feel well.

Last month, one of my students had an operation and we visited her in the hospital. The next day, I was surprised to see her attending the class. She said she came home from the hospital in the morning so she attended the class in the afternoon. Although, they don't have terrible disease but I think they have to stay home at least a day. I feel so sorry for them so I don't force them to study hard when they are sick. I even think of sending them home and tell them to get enough rest.

I remember when I was a student, if I didn't want to go to school, I just told my mom that I had a headache and she would tell me to take a rest and wouldn't allow me to go to school. It's not right but better than what my students situation. What do you think?

Side Dishes from my student's mom

2009-02-06T23:31:00.000-08:00

How would you react when your students' parents give something to you not only some presents but also side dishes? Yes, I usually get some side dishes from my students' mom. Maybe they know that I don't know how to cook or I'm lazy when it comes to cooking. Just last week when I got a box of dried laver and last night, I got 2 types of side dishes. I know they are giving me something or taking care of me because I take care of their children. I treat them well so I guessed it's their way of saying thank you. But I'm also grateful for them for trusting my ability to teach their kids. Although I always try to do my best but I still think of ways on how to give or share knowledge to my students in a very fun and easy way.

Yesterday, one of my students was carrying a shopping bag and handed it to me. He said that's side dishes from his mom. I didn't know how to say thank you because I even couldn't remember what good thing that I did with this student of mine. I just teach them, that's all. This is what I always wonder when I receive something from them. Are they satisfied of my teaching? Or they are asking me to teach their kids better. Well, I think the answer is both.

My kindergarten niece who wants to get married early

2009-01-31T07:52:00.000-08:00

This is a story about my niece who is a kindergarten student. I haven't seen her for a long time and I was surprised to see her look more beautiful with her long hair. I called her "Miss" and asked if she already has a boyfriend. Her mom said, not yet but she likes someone who lives next door. We laughed and teased her but she never cried.

While we were watching tv, she interrupted her mom and asked at what age do ladies usually get married. Instead of her mom, I answered her that she had to graduate to University first before thinking of marriage. We were all surprised when she said that she wants to get married earlier and wants to raise two kids like her mom. I was shocked. My niece is only 5 years old and a kindergarten student but she already thought about her marriage life. I'm wondering if all kids are like her.

I remember my student when she said that she usually goes home around 11p.m. She she's more tired during vacation because she had to attend more institutes. She attends piano lesson, dancing lesson, goes to Math Academy, English Academy, Art class, taekwondo (Korean martial arts), etc... So maybe my niece doesn't want to experience this kind of education so wants to get married earlier.

A letter for my student

2009-01-19T06:18:00.000-08:00

I have a student who always think he's the boss in class. Students are afraid of him and he's always not in the mood when he comes in the class specially when he's late. As soon as he comes he shut all his things on the desk even when we already started the class. When his pencil fell down I always hear some bad words from his mouth that always caught other's attention. One of my students in that class even quit because of him. When we play games in the class, he says his classmates are not good that's why they lost. But if he lost, he argued and try to attack his classmates. When I say, don't do this and that, he replied yes and keep silent for a while but after a few minutes, he goes back to his normal attitude. When I correct his mistakes specially his pronunciation, he always tells why does he always need to do everything the way I want or if he doesn't react then you'll just see him murmuring. When I give them a test and correct their mistakes, he says why does his answer wrong. He always says that he wrote like "this" (the right answer) and get angry when I show his answer on his test paper which is really wrong. When he raises his hands he always want to be called first. If you chose others then he would get angry and would never participate again. He complains and gets angry everyday about everything which I always tell my boss. My boss sometimes knocked on the door when he hears his loud voice complaining or arguing with the students. My boss also talked to him and promised not to do that again. But same things happened everyday. Students quit because of him so my boss doesn't have any choice but to kick him out. I feel so sorry and sad for that but If we want the rest of the students to stay with us and want more students to come, then we have to do that thing.

I'm so sorry to you my dear student. I didn't mean to hurt you and your mom's feeling. I'm not the right teacher for you and I'm sure you'll find a teacher who is much better than me.

The Lion and the Rabbit

2009-01-07T05:52:00.000-08:00

King Lion catches Rabbit for his dinner. Rabbit tells him, "The other lion wants me, too."

"Other lion?" roars King Lion. "In my forest? Let me see this other lion."

Rabbit takes King Lion to a deep well.

"Look! Can you see him?"

King Lion looks into the well. "Yes, I can." (He doesn't know it's his reflection.)

King Lion roars, "I am king of this forest."

The reflection roars back, "I am king of this forest."

The Lion is so angry he jumps into the deep well.

He doesn't come back.

Rabbit is very happy and goes home to rest.

Snowflakes

2009-01-06T06:28:00.000-08:00

David and Rose were watching snowflakes fall from the sky. They looked soft and pretty as they floated down.

"I wonder if they are all the same shape," said Rose.
"Let's get some and find out," replied David.

David and Rose went out to catch snowflakes. But when they tried to look at the form, the snow melted away before they had the chance to see. Their mother gave them a piece of black cloth. Their mother also gave them a piece of glass to use as magnifying glass. Looking through the magnifying glass made the flakes look larger so they could see that most of them had six arms or points. "They're all different," said David, "and they look like stars!" They drew pictures of the flakes to show their teacher the next day.

My favorite student

2009-01-01T01:13:00.000-08:00

My student came in school with her younger brother. Her brother's English is much better than her specially his pronunciation. He also knows much vocabulary than his sister. Sometimes his sister asked him what's that called in English. I know that this student of mine is not good but she always tries to do her best in class. She's a new student and I can say that her English got much better than before. After the class, her mom came and she said she felt sorry because my student came with her brother. I said that was okay. I even had a good time with her son.

My student's mom said that her daughter's English is getting better and she's always excited when she goes to Institute. She also likes doing homework. She said she never saw her daughter doing like that before because she used to hate English. I was so happy when I heard that compliment. Actually, I also like her daughter. She's my favorite in class. She's always willing to learn. She's always interested in learning English and never complained when I give homework. I hope there are more students like her.

He ran away

2008-12-20T04:45:00.000-08:00

My student came an hour earlier and told me to help do his homework. I wondered how could this naughty boy who doesn't pay attention when I teach could come early and ask me help him do his homework? It was a big surprised for me to hear that so I told him to sit down and taught him in the office. After a few minutes, I saw a guy entered in the room. He was very serious watching us. I greeted him and said he's my student's dad. When we were done with the homework, he told me that his son ran away from him because he hit his brother. muhahaha....

He's telling him if he could just go home for a while and just come back after eating the delicious food that he bought. I know that would just be a trick so that he would go home. But whatever his father said, he didn't want to go home. He said he would study. hehehe... When his father left, I talked to him so he went home. He came back after 30 minutes. I asked him if he ate delicious food, he said there was no delicious food. His father just talked to him and when his father left he hit his brother again. Oh, boy!

Authenticated Diploma

2008-12-14T03:38:00.000-08:00

Some foreigners came here to Korea to teach English. Some of them were caught because their diplomas are not real. They were shown in the news a few months ago so the government is very strict with regards to the diploma. He announced to School and Academies to authenticate the foreign diplomas. Because of that, we went to the lawyer last Friday to have my diploma authenticated. We were supposed to pay almost $50 but because we already translated it to Korean, so we only paid $12.5. I can't believe that translating a diploma costs $37. That's too much, right? Anyway, the boss is in charge of the fee so there's nothing to worry about. It took us less than 30 minutes but it would take longer if we didn't translate the diploma into Korean.

It's right to be strict but I'm wondering if all foreigners who are teaching here have graduated in college. Hmmmm.... And Koreans who are teaching in Academies are not College graduate. Paging Mr. President.

I need more patience!

2008-12-10T08:37:00.000-08:00

I have a student who always says that the textbook that we use is easy. Everytime we meet, he always says "Teacher, this topic is very easy" but when we start our lesson, he couldn't say anything in class. He only knows a single word that he even couldn't make a short sentence. When he knows something, he's very noisy and proud of himself but when he doesn't know anything, he's not interested in our lesson anymore. He always compare himself to another student. He thinks studying is like a competition in class. He always wants to be the first to answer but trying to avoid something when he doesn't know anything. When his classmate made a mistake, he always says "you are wrong!" In fact, that student is much better than him. I sometimes feel irritate in class because of his behavior but I have to treat him well coz I know he needs more attention.

Ahhhhh... I need more patience everytime I enter in that class!

Who's not busy?

2008-11-29T04:56:00.000-08:00

My co-worker who has been working for almost two months told my boss that she wanted to quit her job. See? I told you, there are no workers that can stay long at work? I know they have good reasons to leave but they have to stay at least three or six months before they quit. Oh gosh! I'm tired of working with new co-workers. Actually, my job is getting harder since my co-workers started to change. When I first came to work, my only job is to teach but now I have to give homework, give exams, worksheets and final test. Just imagine copying 8 pages of worksheets for almost two hundred students. I also have to check each page every meeting. I also give words test everyday and check again after my class. How about the homework that I check everyday? And the most terrible thing is checking the final test with more than 100 items in almost 200 students. yaiikksss! Tell me, who's not busy? Who doesn't work hard? hew!

North Pole Facts

2008-11-14T07:47:00.000-08:00

The North Pole is the noethernmost point on earth. It is extremely cold, with temperatures below freezing (32 degree Fahrenheit or 0 degree Celcius Centigrade) for most of the year. But surprisingly, it doesn't snow much there. Mostly, the snow on the ground is blown around by the strong winds, which makes it look as if snow is falling. From the middle of March to almost the end of September, the sun can be seen in the sky for twenty-four hours of the day. For this reason, the area around the North Pole is sometimes called the "Land of the Midnight Sun".

Source: Mastery Reading 1

The Boy who cried wolf

2008-11-06T05:28:00.000-08:00

The Boy who cried wolf

There was once a boy who was looking after his flock of sheep near a village. He thought it would be fun to play a trick on the villagers by pretending that a wolf was attacking the sheep.
"Wolf! Wolf!" he cried. When the people heard this, they came running to save his flock of sheep. When they got there, the boy shepherd laughedat them for believing him. He did this several times. Each time the people came they found out it was just a joke. There was no wolf. One day, however, a wolf did come. The boy cried "Wolf! Wolf!" as loudly as he could. The people thought he was just playing another joke so they did not come. The wolf killed all the sheep one at a time.

The moral of this story is "don't cry wolf!" (Don't tell lies becaue people will end up not believing what you say)

Source: Star Reading 3

Dine out after the party

2008-10-31T10:18:00.000-07:00

We had a Halloween Party. Children were wearing costumes and some teachers did the face painting while me and other co-workers were inside wearing scary costumes to frighten the students. Some students cried, some had fun and others couldn't get in the dark.

We were very tired. We don't like having class but we prefer to teach rather than having some festival. But after the celebration, we went out to have dinner. My boss had an appointment so he couldn't join us but he left his credit card and told us to eat anything we want. My co-workers said, it's better to eat without my boss because they felt comfortable. I also like it because we can go home after dinner and we didn't have to drink alcohol or beer which always make us to stay longer in the restaurant.

We were tired but felt good after having a wonderful dinner. We had Vietnam Food.

Counting Rings of a Tree

2008-10-21T08:12:00.000-07:00

Counting Rings of a Tree

If you walk through the woods, you may see trees that have been cut down. If you look at the stump of these trees, you will see many rings. They start out very small in the center of the tree and grow larger and larger as they get to the outer edge of the tree. You should count the rings. Each year a tree grows a new ring. So, if the tree has twenty rings, it is twenty years old. Next time you see the stump of a tree that has just been cut down, try to tell how old the tree was.

Source: Star reading 3

Facts about snails

2008-10-17T04:08:00.000-07:00

Snails are very unique animals. Did you know that snails can hide in their shells? Snails also eat with their foot. On the bottom of one foot is a mouth with little teeth. As it glides over leaves and grass, the snail chews on them and eats them. Snails also have a homing instict, just like pigeons. Even when they're far from home, they can always find their way back. How do they do it? It's hard to say.

Source: Star Reading 3

Teaching Strategy part II

2008-10-15T18:17:00.000-07:00

Here's the continuation of my teaching strategy part 1

16. Prepare your lesson in advance, always. Just in case that you still have time, you can preview the next lesson.
17. Make your lesson plan. Students are not interested if they see that you are not prepared.
18. Don't go out during the class. Once the class was interrrupted, it's hard to get back student's interest.
19. Don't let the students go out like going to the bathroom or drink water. Once you allowed one, everyone wants to go out, too. In this case, students will go to the bathroom before the class starts or at the end of the class because they know that they are not allowed to go out once you started the lesson.
20. Be fair! No favoritism! It's hard to do this but you should.
21. When students asked you to buy something for them, don't buy or else you will be broke. They will always ask you to buy something for them. Just imagine how many students you have. hehe..
22. Make some flashcards if possible.
23. Make rules and let them follow your rules.
24. Make sure to check their assigment every meeting and let them know their mistakes.
25. Always give homework.

My student wants to commit suicide

2008-10-13T08:53:00.001-07:00

How would you react when you heard from your student's mom that her 4th grade daughter sometimes tells her that she wanted to commit suicide? My student's mom came in the office to pay for her daughter's monthly fee. My student's mom and her adviser were very serious talking at the counselling room. After their conversation and after the parent left, the director asked what they talked about. We were surprised when we heard that our student was thinking of committing suicide. I was shocked! How could a beautiful and smart 4th grade student thinks of committing suicide? I even always sees her smiling in the class and she deals well with her classmates. I dunno what supposed to be the problem is and her mom doesn't know the reason, either.

I need to pay more attention with this student. I have to save her but I don't know how. If I could just live with her and be always beside her. I'm always worried of her. I want to hug her whenever I see her to show that there's someone who loves her except from her family and friends.

I hope and pray that she will be fine and never think of that scary and stupid thing again.

How to train a goldfish

2008-10-11T21:36:00.000-07:00

How do you know when goldfish are hungry? Once a man trained his goldfish to tell him when it was hugnry. He began by not feeding it for several days. Then he tied food to one of a rope and a bell to the other end. He dropped the food into the water. When the fish nibbled on the food, the bell outside the bowl rang loudly. He did this for several days. Then the string without food was put in the bowl. The fish bit at the end of the string just like it did with the food. When the bell rang, the man knew the fish was hungry and threw food into the bowl. After several days the fish learned to ring the bell whenever it was hungry.

Source: Star Reading 3

What would you do if your student always swears in the class?

2008-10-10T06:32:00.000-07:00

How can you deal with the student who always swears in the class? I couldn't stand him today. Everytime I enter the class, he always says something bad against his classmates. He teased, hit and swore the students who didn't do anything except studied. He's not a kid to act like that, so I told him to stay in the class and I talked to him. I asked if he knew what he did was wrong. He agreed and I asked him again what he should do next time. He said, he always acts like that in the class when he studies with his homeroom teacher. So I asked if he could change for the better. He said he doesn't know. So I said I don't know, either so I brought him in the office to let the director talk to him but he wasn't in. I called his homeroom teacher instead and told her what that student did. Here's what his homeroom teacher said--

"Did you do that to your teacher? It's okay in my class but not to teacher --- . You can do that 4 times a week but behave for one day, okay? Behave when you study with teacher --, okay?" and the student went home.

I was shocked to hear that. Is that right? I got angry not because I want this student to behave well in my class. I talked to him because I want to change his bad attitude not only during my class. Because of those words, the teacher isn't helping the student a lot. The student will think that it was okay to do that again and again in front of others except in front of me, don't you think so? And do you think he would really behave well in front me next time? This student will think it's okay with his homeroom teacher how come that he couldn't do it to me? My goodness!

I told my co-worker about that. I said, that's for the sake of the students and not for me. Students always hear bad words from him so they will also act like him. I told her to tell the director about that so that he can do something for him. She said she already did but the director didn't do anything.

When my boss came, I told him about the student. He said I should have sent the student to him. I said I did but he wasn't in. I also asked if teacher --- also told something about that. He said, "never". Oh, well!

What's the connection of economy to school?

2008-10-07T07:29:00.000-07:00

I saw my boss laminating some "dallant" (points that children collect and use as their money during the dallant day that is usually done during Children's Day and Christmas) when he said that Korea is now facing difficulties on its economy. It's true because the former rate of $1 was less than 1,000 won and now it's 1,328 won. Because i'm not aware of the economic growth and I don't care anything about the government and economy, I suddenly asked him what's the connection of the economy to his school business. He said some parents will not send their children to private institute if the economy is very low. Oh yeah, that makes sense. He has the right to be worried! hehehe...

My teaching strategies

2008-10-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

I don't know to you but these strategies work when I do them to my students.

1. Stop talking (discussing) and look at the noisy student. I assure you, he/she will stop talking and pay attention to you when he/she saw that you're looking at him/her.
2. When the student is playing with something, get the stuff and give it to him/her after the class if he promised that he would never played with that thing again.
3. Walk around the class when you do the listen and repeat part. You don't need to carry or look at your book. You can just look at their book while walking. I always do this thing and most students think that I memorized the book. They don't know that I only look at theirs.
4. Stand behind or beside the student who doesn't pay attention.
5. Look around and make sure that all of them are in the same page. The page of your topic for that day.
6. After the exam, let the students who make a mistake write the words at home 5 times. Give it as their homework and make sure to check it the next time you meet them. Do this when they had a words' test. Students who don't like writing always study before the come because they don't want to make mistakes and write several times.
7. I sometimes tell the noisiest students to go out but instead of going out, they just pay attention.
8. If you can't handle a very naughty student, tell the student to stay in the room after the class and talk to him/her. He/She might have a problem at home and needs your attention. If he doesn't say about it, just let him/her promise you to pay attention to you next time.
9. In Korea, it's possible to hit the students. Hit them rather than wait for their parents to complain for not teaching their kids well.
10. Give rewards to the students who did very well in the class.
11. Praise them when they did well or better than their former performance.
12. Make friends of them but don't forget that you are a teacher inside the class. They are not your friends when you are teaching the lesson.
13. I usually use visual aids and related games. My students always expect me to prepare games for them so they study hard during the lesson so that we can have spare time to play. They know that they can't play if they are slow in the lesson. So those who love games always lead the students and tell others not to make noise in order to finish the lesson earlier.
14. There are times that students are not in the mood for studying. Know the environment and change the lesson if it doesn't interest them.
15. Don't forget to break the ice to help everyone feel comfortable and be part of the discussion.

<--to be continued here-->

Amazing Animals

2008-10-01T07:41:00.000-07:00

Most sharks in the ocean can't stop moving; if they do, they can't breathe. Sharks grow new teeth every eight days. Some sharks can have as many as 30,000 teeth in their lifetime!

Egyptian Plovers can live in mouths of crocodiles! They clean the crocodiles' teeth. Crocodiles never eat this bird!

Giraffes live on the plains. They are very tall, and so they can reach high into trees to eat the leaves. Male giraffes can clean their own ears with their 21-inch (53-cm) tongues!

Camels live in the desert. They can go without food or water for a lont time. They can live off the fat in their humps. Camels can't sweat, so they don't lose water from their bodies.

Kangaroos live on the plains. THey have strong legs and can jump as high as 9 feet (2.7 m). Kangaroos can run 40 miles (64 km) an hour, but they can't walk backwards! They can go without water for a long time. Female kangaroos keep their babies in their pouches.

Octopuses like the warm parts of the ocean. Some octopuses can squeeze fish with their long tentacles, and some of them kill with a poison bite. Octopuses can change colors any time they want, and they can squirt black ink when they want to hide from an enemy.

Source: Backpack Book 3

Teaching English in Korea

2008-09-24T15:40:00.000-07:00

If you are not a native speaker (from the U.S., the UK, Canada, Australia, etc..) then it's illegal for you to teach English in Korea. Some Filipinos who got married to Korean are teaching English illegally unless they would get their Korean citizenship. If you were caught teaching English illegally, the fine is $3,000 (according to my friend) and they would send you back home but if your husband is Korean then you are excuse with the second rule. Some directors are kind enough to hide you if they know that the immigration officers are coming like what my boss did when I worked illegally. I was heading for work when he called me and told me to go back home and come back the next day because the people from the immigration were there. That happened twice that's why I changed my citizenship after staying here for two years so that I can work freely.

Teaching English in Korea is very tough specially when you can't speak any Korean. There are many rude and naughty students so you have to carry your "patience" everyday when you enter the class. You need to deal well with your co-workers so that they can help you with it. Or you can just say to the homeroom teacher and they will manage it for you. They just talk to the students and call their parents if they continue to make trouble in your class and students are afraid of that.

Teaching Koreans is also fun if you know how to handle the students. Some kids are loving, sweet and thoughtful. Anyway, each student is different. Some can't be disciplined without holding a stick and some don't want to be hit and they are getting more rude if you hit them. Others just need your attention so they make noise.

I've been teaching here for seven years and i'm not saying that i'm expert enough but I can say that I already learned a lot and willing to learn more. Everyday is a challenge for me when I enter the classroom. I don't know what kind of day I should have but fortunately I always have a good day with my students. I don't only work for the money but also I work because I enjoy my job.

Snakes Flying Lesson

2008-09-18T16:08:00.000-07:00

One day Snake is talking to two birds.
"I live in the desert on the hot ground. I can't fly," says Snake.
"Everybody knows snakes can't fly," say the birds.
"I want to fly like you! Help me!" says Snake.
"We can try," say the birds.

"Hold on tight, friend. Don't open your mouth or you'll fall!" say the birds.
The birds carry Snake high in the air.
The air is cool. The sun shines through the white clouds.
Flying is wonderful! thinks Snake.

"Well, well. A silly snake who thinks it can fly!" says Eagle. "Are those feathers down there on your tail? Can you fly without that stick in your mouth?"
Snakes gets very angry. He opens his mouth to bite Eagle.
He falls through the air to the ground. He lands on a cactus. Ouch!

"Now I know snakes can't fly. I'll stay on the ground from now on!" says snakes.

Source: Backpack 3 Book

Tired of working with new co-workers

2008-09-17T04:59:00.000-07:00

I've just mentioned here that we had a new teacher. She had a week training and attended a seminar but when she had a demonstration, the boss didn't like her. She was rejected by the boss and hired another teacher. I was just surprised when we had a meeting and saw a new face in the office. I wondered if she was the teacher that my co-worker trained so I asked her, she said it was another one. My boss hired another teacher instead because this new teacher has a 3 years experienced and seems better than the other one. Well, I think so but I still feel sorry for the other one who didn't get the job.

My new co-worker is good and she knows how to handle the students. Because she had years experience, she's also better at teaching kids. I like her but I miss my former co-worker who I had a good relationship with. We keep in touch and wanted to meet me soon. She called me on her last day because I couldn't dine out with her. We went to my in law's house so I'm gonna meet her soon. Students and my boss also like her because she's pretty. She's also kind to the students.

Oh well, I'm tired of working with new co-workers. I can't count how many teachers I have worked with. I'm the oldest ("senior" i'm not referring to age here) employee there. I also sometimes think of quitting my job but my boss told me just last week again that I have to work with him forever. Ngeeeekkk!~

My new co-worker

2008-09-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

I've just mentioned that my boss was hiring a new worker and there were two applicants but he only chose one. My boss already chose among the two and he sent her in a seminar last Tuesday. But applicants kept coming so my boss tried the new applicant. They had both demonstration for a day and my boss thought that this new applicant is better than the one who he sent to the seminar so he chose her and asked the other one to go home. I just feel sorry for her because she spent days for training and attended a seminar but after that she would just go home because my boss didn't like her. That's a pity but I understand my boss because this newly hired teacher has many years experience in teaching so she's good.

She also lives near my apartment so we take the same bus. We already talked a lot of things when we were on the bus. Hmmm...she seems so nice!

My boss was hiring a teacher

2008-09-09T15:39:00.000-07:00

There were many applicants last week because my boss was hiring a new teacher. Last Monday, I saw two new teachers in the office. My boss told my my co-worker to train them although they have years experience in teaching. Yesterday, teachers attended a seminar including the new ones and my boss told us that he would hire only one teacher so one of them will fall. Before I left for home yesterday, I heard that my boss hired the younger one. I already expected that. In our profession, younger and prettier have more opportunities to be hired than the older or uglier one. Not only because my boss like young and pretty ladies but because students have more interest in learning if their teachers are pretty and young. Of course we also have two not too old hajuma (old woman) but they are good at teaching kids and i'm sure my boss doesn't want to hire older than them.

Ooppsss... nobody knows in my class that I'm married although I wear my wedding ring. But I wear two rings. Our engagement ring and wedding ring. I wear them both so my students are confuse. When they asked me about that I just tell them it's a secret. They even don't know my real age. When I asked them how old do I look, most of them answered 24-27. Oh well, it's better not to say my age. I just smiled at them and didn't say anything and I said it's time to start our lesson. Some said i'm bad, others said they hate me when I try to make an excuse whenever they asked me those two questions. Oh well, hehehe...

The Goose that laid the Golden Egg

2008-09-03T10:12:00.000-07:00

Once there was a man and woman who were fortunate enough to own a goose that laid a golden egg. Every day the goose laid one golden egg. Before long, the man and woman began to grow rich. One day the man said to his wife, "We are not getting rich fast enough. That goose must be made of gold inside. If we kill it, we can get all the gold at once. We would get rich and never have to work again." Well, they killed the goose and cut it open. When they looked inside, it was not made of gold like they thought. The inside of the goose was just like every other goose.

Oh, goodness!

2008-08-25T09:30:00.000-07:00

My student gave this to me during our class. For me, she's the prettiest student in my class. She's thin, tall and dresses well. She always looks good in her clothes. Her dream is to become an actress which is just perfect for her because she's not only pretty but can also sing and dance well. When we have a party at work we always asked her to dance with some of her friends. She looks prettier when she dances and my co-worker likes her for her son.

Now a days, I always see her bringing nail polish and she sometimes shows me her nails with manicure. She's just in the 5th grade and she already acts like a lady. I have long nails and she usually tells me to cut them but now look at her, she always have manicure and I think someday she will have longer nails than mine.

Anyway, I saw this nail polish again on her desk just next to her book and she gave it to me during our class. I thought she was just kidding but she said it's really for me. How sweet! I refused at first but then she showed me her bag and I saw three more nail polish in it. Oh, goodness!

Words to study everyday!

2008-08-22T08:47:00.000-07:00

Before we dismiss the class there are words that we give for the students to study. Some have 10, others 15 and 20 words to learn depends on the level of the students. Before they go out, we have to ask them one by one at the front door. Students who don't know the words can't go home. The students have to go the last line.

I have this first grade student who couldn't memorize the words so I let him go to the back of the line. While he was going to the back, I saw him cried but trying to hold his tears. When he his turn came, his face and eyes were red so I asked him what seems to be the problem was. He said he could't memorize the words and afraid that he couldn't go home. He was the last student in the line so I told him to study next time so that he can go home early and won't let him go to the back. When I told him that I would let him go home today without memorizing the words but promised to study the words because I won't let him go next time if he doesn't know anything. That's our deal and i'm wondering what will happen next week.

He's so cute and funny. hehehehe...

Nobody likes the directors idea that we have to ask the students one by one and not letting them go without knowing at least 5 words. I know that it is good but it's too tiring for us. Everyone complains about that because we are doing that during our 10 minutes break. My boss left early today and while we were in the office, we talked about this matter and decided to tell about it to the director on Monday. Goodluck to all of us! hehehe..

She's waving at me

2008-08-21T08:35:00.000-07:00

As I entered at the entrance of the door, I saw someone in the office waving at me. I couldn't see her well because it's a little bit far so while I was walking near to her, I was surprised to see my former co-worker. She quit the job because she lives very far from work and she got lots of stress because of her students including my boss according to her. On her last day at work, I had dinner with her and now I was happy to see her again. No, she's not gonna work with us again. She came to the office to get the document that she needs in applying for a new job.

She brought some donuts and coffee for us. Eventhough I came late, she said she left something for me. She knows the flavor that I like because there's a donut shop across from the office and we usually go there to buy some.

I wish that she could find a better job. A job that is much better from the one that she had with us. Goodluck friend!

Happy Monday everyone!

2008-08-17T17:14:00.000-07:00

I couldn't sleep since last night because of the strong wind. We are living on the highest floor of the building so i'm scared of this strong wind. I can't even open the window because i'm afraid that the wind will blow everything inside my apartment. It seems like there's a storm coming but it's not raining. Only this strong wind bothers me. Does it mean that fall is just around the corner? But it's still hot. Oh well, I wish there will be no class today but i know i'm just dreaming because it's impossible to suspend the class just because of the wind. hehehehe...

Well, it's Monday again! You know, i hate Mondays because it means I have to work for the whole week again. It's also very tough on Monday because there are lots of things to do at work. Hmmmm...anyway, although it's a tough day, i still want to greet you a Happy Monday!

Happy Monday everyone!

I had so much fun!

2008-08-10T06:54:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun with my second grade students. Our lesson was about family. When I showed them the picture in the book and asked who the members of the family are pointing with the pictures, they all got mistake when I showed the tall guy who has curly hair. Most of them answered that he is mother, some says grandmother and others aunt. They couldn't believe me when I said that he was father. Everyone thought that he is a woman. They all laughed when I said it was father because he has curly hair. Everyone was touching their stomachs because they laughed so hard that we couldn't concentrate on our lessons.

I have another student who is like a comedian because he always makes us laugh. I like that class because I always have fun with them. When I enter that class, I always remember what my hubby says when I leave home. He always tells me to have fun while working.

I sometimes have a bad time at work but most of the time, I'm having a great time with my students.

sunglasses

2008-08-05T06:48:00.000-07:00

I have this student who always hugs me everytime we meet. She's fat and cute. She sings and dances well. Yesterday, we met in the bathroom. She was holding a sunglasses and told me to try it on. I thought she was just making fun of me when she said that the sunglasses look good on me. When i took it of and tried to give it to her. She said that's for me. I didn't want to accept them but she insisted. I couldn't do anything but to receive them when she said she bought them for me. Waaaahhh...she's so sweet! But I feel so sorry for her because she use her allowance to buy those sunglasses. Instead of buying an ice cream, she bought the sunglasses for me. waaaaahhhh...

I asked my co-workers if they already saw big bang's girlfriend. Nobody knows who the big bang's group girlfriend is so I wore the sunglasses in front of them. Everyone laughed including my boss. I just imagine big bang's sunglasses with those sunglasses from my student. Before I dismiss the class, I also did the same thing to the students and they said, they're not big bang's sunglasses but mc mong's. hahahaha....

See what mc mong's sunglasses here and listen to one of the most famous songs in Korea.

Let's spice things up!

2008-08-01T05:19:00.000-07:00

Oh yes, I got a new blog. Let's spice things up! I like the title. It sounds spicy like kimchi. hehehe... What am i suppose to blog about here? My love story? My teaching? My dream? My pet? Shopping? Hang outs? My neighbors? Hmmm.... I don't want to share some gossips. I don't want to be in trouble. hehehe...

I have nothing to say anymore but i'm gonna leave you this lesson which is about the Value of a Woman. Here it goes:

"Be very careful if you make a woman cry, because God counts her tears. The woman came out of a man's rib. Not from his feet to be walked on. Not from his head to be superior, but from the side to be equal. Under the arm to be protected, and next to the heart to be loved."