As part of working with the Sendai Board of Education, my job as an ALT at a local Junior High extends to one or more elementary schools close by. We are expected to visit elementary classes on an invitation basis from the school. I have one school right next to my main school, and my fellow late-comer and I were the last ones to teach at one. So as the day drew nearer when I would be expected to teach at one, my heart raced. Could I do it?
So many things went through my mind preparing for it. I had a meeting with two of the teachers to create a lesson plan for my first visit. I would be teaching three 4th grade classes, each lasting for 45 minutes. I mention the time because Ive now noticed how much of a difference it makes to know how long a lesson will last. Five minutes can go for a long time, believe me. The teachers wanted me to perform my self-introduction for the first half, and then a Halloween lesson. Ive done my introduction over fifteen times already, so it should be easy right? Well… lets just say it was a bit harder to swallow a twenty five minute intro as opposed to a ten minute one.
The day before my visit, I planned a longer and more thorough self introduction to perform. I printed out tons more pictures, found more props to use, and brainstormed games that could go along with it. Essentially, I printed out pics of LA food, scenic spots, and famous people like Michael Jackson and Angelina Jolie (surprisingly!) After that, I thought of what kind of game to perform for my Halloween lesson. I knew it would be hard to keep the attention of ten year olds, so lets just say I was sweating bullets up until the first minute of class.
Yes, I was extremely nervous. Yes, I was thinking about the ways it could go wrong. And yes, I thought it was going to be the end of it.
The outcome?... I had an amazing time and loved every moment of my visit!
My first class went so well that it gave me the confidence for the rest of the day. Even though I was teaching the class alone, I was able to pull off a pretty good performance. I like working with kids, so maybe that’s why in the end, it wasn’t as horrifying as I thought it would be:
1. The students were so engaging and fun to be with… quite the opposite of a junior high school class. They participated, repeated, and really took an interest in everything I did. Especially when I showed them pics of LA and made them guess who certain people were, or what certain food was, they were really into it!
2. I think I know more Japanese than I thought! I would throw in really simple Japanese to grab their attention, especially when they were confused. Its by no means impressive language skills, but I was surprised at how much I was able to spit out. I usually don’t have this opportunity in my regular classes.
3. Playing fun, easy activities and giving out prizes really work!
I actually ended up running out of time for two of my classes, which surprised me because I was so scared about ending up with ten minutes of awkwardness. But I felt so relaxed the whole time with the classes. The kids at the elementary school were great, and even though they could not understand 80% of what I was saying, I think they saw I was enjoying it, and so did they. I had a few criers, and some that drifted away, but most of my students were attentive and really into it. I loved acting out Halloween antics and playing fruits basket with them. What they say is true though. After my three classes, I was beyond exhausted.
Afterwards I had lunch with the first class, and the students were extremely cute. I had so much fun talking to them in simple English, and even some Japanese. The kids even love it when you enter the room… crazy I know. I guess seeing any old foreigner will get them super excited. Lunch was small, fitting for an elementary student. But I also enjoyed meeting some students that told me their older siblings go to my main school… some of which I even recognized the similarities! Also, the staff at the elementary school was wonderful. They were so nice and supportive, and most knew a few words of English to even talk to me
Another cool moment? I had my school picture taken again for the teachers wall. I wonder how it came out, because its been years since high school when I went through the woes of looking good for my yearbook picture, haha.
So I loved my trip to my elementary school. My next one is in two weeks, and I am excited to see what else I do with them. I think Ill be teaching them a mock-up Thriller dance, since they ALL knew Michael Jackson. Kids these days, they crack me up.
Another long entry I know, but thanks for reading! I wrote this when I was still in the high of having done elementary lessons.
Material I used for class: celebrities, Obama, and In-N-Out
Itkadakimasu!
These kids were so great! They made the experience so much easier and funner for me.
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