under the microscope
The BoE representative came by today to observe my class with Ms. Numazawa and the two first year boys, Yuki and Yuya. She is basically my boss, so it was a bit nerve-wracking. The students were nervous, too. There are only two of them, so there is no chance of hiding and hoping other classmates will volunteer. (The usual technique at my larger schools.) These types of classes are called research classes, and are used to evaluate the teacher being observed - all of the other school teachers and sometimes a few key members of the BoE attend the class.
However, we had a wonderful lesson planned, which focused on writing and speaking practice. Also, it involved very little use of the textbook; in my opinion, that just makes all of us (students included) look that much more talented. Ms. Numazawa even used my feelings flash cards as part of the warm-up. Our main activity was a role play scenario. I was selling my pet dog before leaving Japan, and I wanted the boys to help me find a good owner for the dog. They had to figure out a set of interview questions based on my requirements for the new owner, using the grammar point, "Do you ~ ?" Then, the boys had to interview various teachers who were playing prospective owners, as well as Miki, who seemed a little put out at having to participate in the research class when she could be enjoying study hall in the next classroom. I don't blame her. :P Afterwards, the boys had to tell me who would be the best owner for my dog.
Overall, I thought the class went very well. The students were very good with their English, even if Yuki is a bit loud. His voice when he speaks Japanese is so quiet, but his English voice is like a megaphone. And I thought both Ms. Numazawa and I were energetic and supportive teachers. I tried to be more vocal in praising the boys when they did well, and more expressive with gestures when they had trouble understanding me.
After any research class, the teachers and the BoE representative usually have a meeting to discuss the class and pick it apart as they review the observed teacher's performance. The BoE rep asked if I would stay for the meeting, but tragically, I had to catch the bus home. Oh, woe am I. ;)
Oh, and the other high point of the day! While we were teaching class in the morning, I spotted a deer through the classroom window! She was all the way across the exercise yard, under some trees by the wire fence. I immediately pointed her out, and we all went to the window to watch her. She grazed a bit of the grass, but then seemed to feel our eyes on her, for she trotted along the fence until she could go around it and down the hill into the woods. Too bad I didn't have my camera; none of the teachers in the staff room saw her.
When I say deer, mind you, I don't mean the long-legged, graceful creatures in Bambi. The actual English term for the deer that live in the dense forests and mountains here is serow. A serow is basically what you would get if you crossed a goat with a deer - they're about the size of small ponies, have two small horns on their heads, and are usually a mottled brown that ranges from sandy to dark. They're also rather fluffy, in a coarse way. Wikipedia has a picture here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lightmatter_japanese_serows.jpg
However, we had a wonderful lesson planned, which focused on writing and speaking practice. Also, it involved very little use of the textbook; in my opinion, that just makes all of us (students included) look that much more talented. Ms. Numazawa even used my feelings flash cards as part of the warm-up. Our main activity was a role play scenario. I was selling my pet dog before leaving Japan, and I wanted the boys to help me find a good owner for the dog. They had to figure out a set of interview questions based on my requirements for the new owner, using the grammar point, "Do you ~ ?" Then, the boys had to interview various teachers who were playing prospective owners, as well as Miki, who seemed a little put out at having to participate in the research class when she could be enjoying study hall in the next classroom. I don't blame her. :P Afterwards, the boys had to tell me who would be the best owner for my dog.
Overall, I thought the class went very well. The students were very good with their English, even if Yuki is a bit loud. His voice when he speaks Japanese is so quiet, but his English voice is like a megaphone. And I thought both Ms. Numazawa and I were energetic and supportive teachers. I tried to be more vocal in praising the boys when they did well, and more expressive with gestures when they had trouble understanding me.
After any research class, the teachers and the BoE representative usually have a meeting to discuss the class and pick it apart as they review the observed teacher's performance. The BoE rep asked if I would stay for the meeting, but tragically, I had to catch the bus home. Oh, woe am I. ;)
Oh, and the other high point of the day! While we were teaching class in the morning, I spotted a deer through the classroom window! She was all the way across the exercise yard, under some trees by the wire fence. I immediately pointed her out, and we all went to the window to watch her. She grazed a bit of the grass, but then seemed to feel our eyes on her, for she trotted along the fence until she could go around it and down the hill into the woods. Too bad I didn't have my camera; none of the teachers in the staff room saw her.
When I say deer, mind you, I don't mean the long-legged, graceful creatures in Bambi. The actual English term for the deer that live in the dense forests and mountains here is serow. A serow is basically what you would get if you crossed a goat with a deer - they're about the size of small ponies, have two small horns on their heads, and are usually a mottled brown that ranges from sandy to dark. They're also rather fluffy, in a coarse way. Wikipedia has a picture here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lightmatter_japanese_serows.jpg
