Wait--They Don't Love You Like I Love You
I really, really love Kuroiwa JHS. I can't overstate this fact. I like it because it's small, the kids are just awesome, and the staff is extremely friendly. However, today I learned that it's closing when the new school opens (Ogawa is closing as well, of course.) I'm not exactly sure when the new school is opening, but I'm really glad I'm not going to be here. Big schools are the pits when it comes to being an ALT; the students simply become a sea of nameless faces and I'm reduced to a human tape recorder. I hate that. I would say that I feel sorry for whoever is replacing me, but who knows, maybe s/he'll love the big school like my predesessor did. I'll admit that there are some advantages to teaching in a big school, but personally I prefer a smaller classroom and a more one-on-one approach to teaching.
I also have to wonder what'll happen to the teachers and Kuroiwa and Ogawa. The English teachers at Sakawa, while not at all bad per se, most certainly don't measure up to either teacher at Kuroiwa and Ogawa. And while one more teacher is desperately needed at Sakawa, that means one is probably going to be left in the dust. I hope everything works out. I'm sure it will as it doesn't seem like Kochi has an overabundance of teachers.
Anyway, tomorrow I teach my very last elementary class of the year, which just happens to be the second class this semester with my very genki 5th years. I have no idea what we're going to do tomorrow, but I am absolutely determined to make it as fun as possible. Hopefully that way I can stave off their transformation in to snarling English-hating children until at least the second term of next year. I'm thinking about lots of rock, paper, scissors in English and maybe, maybe, maybe bingo. I don't know yet, though. I have to think about it a bit more. Thinking...
Tomorrow all us "creative talent" people are meeting up to discuss sets, props, music, costumes, and various other things related to the musical. I have my sketches and a rough list of materials all ready to go. I'm excited to get together and really hack out the details so I can start actually making the things I have in my head. I only hope I can do a good job with it all. I was quite the little builder/creator in high school, but I've never made anything for a play so this is pretty much a new experience for me. New experiences ftw.
Well, I'm going to settle in with a handful of strawberries and watch a movie. I'll be busy as hell this weekend, so I might as well be lazy while I can.
I also have to wonder what'll happen to the teachers and Kuroiwa and Ogawa. The English teachers at Sakawa, while not at all bad per se, most certainly don't measure up to either teacher at Kuroiwa and Ogawa. And while one more teacher is desperately needed at Sakawa, that means one is probably going to be left in the dust. I hope everything works out. I'm sure it will as it doesn't seem like Kochi has an overabundance of teachers.
Anyway, tomorrow I teach my very last elementary class of the year, which just happens to be the second class this semester with my very genki 5th years. I have no idea what we're going to do tomorrow, but I am absolutely determined to make it as fun as possible. Hopefully that way I can stave off their transformation in to snarling English-hating children until at least the second term of next year. I'm thinking about lots of rock, paper, scissors in English and maybe, maybe, maybe bingo. I don't know yet, though. I have to think about it a bit more. Thinking...
Tomorrow all us "creative talent" people are meeting up to discuss sets, props, music, costumes, and various other things related to the musical. I have my sketches and a rough list of materials all ready to go. I'm excited to get together and really hack out the details so I can start actually making the things I have in my head. I only hope I can do a good job with it all. I was quite the little builder/creator in high school, but I've never made anything for a play so this is pretty much a new experience for me. New experiences ftw.
Well, I'm going to settle in with a handful of strawberries and watch a movie. I'll be busy as hell this weekend, so I might as well be lazy while I can.