William fixed up our computer in the 3rd floor office this week, which means that I will be able to update here and now more frequently. So for those of you that prefer to procrastinate and so forth can use this to prolong whatever work you have to finish.
Anyway, this whole week has gone by pretty smoothly with no major disasters from my Penguins class. The girls have their little arguments but what troubles me and the other teachers is that they are constantly manipulating and bullying each other.
I asked Nicole Teacher to place even numbered girls in our classes from now on but we don't place students in classes like that...it's 100 per cent based on test scores. THAT'S RIGHT! Preschoolers are given an exam and interviewed prior to entering the school so the monthly test that we will give to them next week should be easy breezy for my kids.
I always forget that the school negates all exceptionalities because test/exam scores dictates the placement of students. It kills me every time to see a fairly dilligent child suffer in a lower class only because they don't test well. I think back to my Canadian students and it makes me feel like I mothered them too much...but that's just how it's done in Canada--with much consideration of the accommodations and modifications that's needed to help students succeed.
I don't know when it turned out to be a blog about test scores but I'm just thinking about my little kiddies and I don't want them to get stressed out. I've been told to tell them that it's just an independent activity and to not mention the word "test". *sigh*
Tonight is Hannah Teacher's birthday party. She invited some of us to her home. I wonder what it will be like...Last night, we bought her some Anna Sui comestics and the counter girl wrapped it up really nicely. Angela was joking around because she must have had to take a training course in wrapping or something. I'll try to get a few pictures of the party here and there...maybe you can see what other Korean homes look like...we'll see.
It's getting cooler as each day passes and the double comforters are working out well. So far, there is no need to buy a third blanket. I just hope we won't have to bust out the winter coat til the end of November.
Our next trip looks like it will be Seoraksan with a few people we met at our staff retreat. I don't have a lot of pictures from that retreat because of the spa experience...I think Hannah may have one or two of the boss singing...I'll try to get them off of her...
Stay tune for pictures of Maggie's wedding tomorrow...we are all very happy and excited to celebrate with her.
H.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Heather Teacher
Heather Teacher is leaving our third floor office in 12 days.
This is tragic news considering how much we have done together.
To list several:
- told me where the airport shuttle was when I first arrived
- shared the more organized way of planning and reporting
- took us to the new Japanese restaurant around the corner
- shares the same rage for students who do not perform at their optimal level
- gave me her colourful stationery papers so I can write letters to my grade 1 and 2 classes
- giving away her toaster oven to Hannah so she can make toast and other related goodness
- took us to First God, a lunch time hangout...
But regardless of these things, I think the most important and coolest thing about Heather is that she has that rage...you should have seen her that one time after having a successful yelling at her students. It was nice to see that kind of passion because she was just so frustrated over why this kid was not performing to his potential. That's when I told her that she should seriously consider becoming a teacher...not that she isn't already.
It's ashame that I am just talking about her and sharing this with you now, but we've been hanging out and partying...so yeah...stay tune for our going away party for Heather!
Hope you are all doing well in Canada. We've been experiencing warmer than usual weather in Seoul.
Smell ya later!
H.
This is tragic news considering how much we have done together.
To list several:
- told me where the airport shuttle was when I first arrived
- shared the more organized way of planning and reporting
- took us to the new Japanese restaurant around the corner
- shares the same rage for students who do not perform at their optimal level
- gave me her colourful stationery papers so I can write letters to my grade 1 and 2 classes
- giving away her toaster oven to Hannah so she can make toast and other related goodness
- took us to First God, a lunch time hangout...
But regardless of these things, I think the most important and coolest thing about Heather is that she has that rage...you should have seen her that one time after having a successful yelling at her students. It was nice to see that kind of passion because she was just so frustrated over why this kid was not performing to his potential. That's when I told her that she should seriously consider becoming a teacher...not that she isn't already.
It's ashame that I am just talking about her and sharing this with you now, but we've been hanging out and partying...so yeah...stay tune for our going away party for Heather!
Hope you are all doing well in Canada. We've been experiencing warmer than usual weather in Seoul.
Smell ya later!
H.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Han River Cruise
Last weekend, Heather invited us to cruise on the Han River in a ferry boat. We caught the tail end of a huge fireworks display. Apparently, when Korean businessmen want to promote their new condominiums, they invest in thousands of dollars worth of fireworks.
I didn't get a chance to photograph the fireworks...but here is a link to the Han River photos!
I didn't get a chance to photograph the fireworks...but here is a link to the Han River photos!
Monday, October 20, 2008
October 19th marks 3rd month in Anyang
So it's been three months!!! Horrahhhhh haha
Honest to God, I thought time would go by a lot slower but really...time flies by when you are teaching. Can you believe it's HALLOWEEN?!?! Teachers are still mean right now hahaha...if you missed the teacher not-funny joke, the saying goes, "Be mean 'til Halloween". This is based on the assumption that if you are strict enough and able to keep the kids in a regimented routine until this time...the kids will obey your every word and command. I must say, this is only true for 12 per cent of classes...and that statistics...I made up.
But yeah, back to the point.
We are already planning for Halloween and the decor in the front foyer is superb. I will have more photos up shortly. I meant to take photos of the walls and things hanging from the ceilings but my kids were dancing and singing to Mamma Mia and well...here I go again...
Anyway...when I figure out why it's not working, you are supposed to see Jun and Thomas sing their little hearts out to Mamma Mia! Thomas is saying as he finishes his Phonics workbook and tries to help Jun complete his page during the dance sequence when there's no singing...
Thomas is one of my favourite kids. When I told him that his mommy was happy about his report card, he looks down at me (because I'm squatting next to him) and he just plants a kiss on my face. He's smart and adorable...he's mine!
Jun was a problem but after a conversation with Angela about his autistic tendencies...let's just say his behaviour has changed after some modifications and accommodations. I am so proud of Jun...I wish I could talk to his mother in Korean. *Sigh*
Not being able to talk to the parents was not something that I thought I would miss. In Canada, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the phone light flash red. Here, I only wish I could tell them not to worry so much about their writing and reading...but to worry about their social abilities and emotional health. All they seem to worry about here are test scores and class placements...it's definitely one huge cultural difference. So our professors were right afterall...learning is a culture and pedagogies reflect the differences...okay, back to more news...
As for my third month anniversary, I celebrated with everyone from work. It wasn't anything official but it was a nice way to remember and celebrate how long I've been able to live on this peninsula...
The bosses treated us to a weekend retreat near Ocean Castle Resort. We went to the spa & sauna and had a great time. This visit to Ocean Castle was definitely one of those been there, done that items because I don't think I can take all the nakedness anymore.
Angela, Hannah and I were complete morons in bathing suits while everyone else was eating, walking, talking and socializing in the nude. In fact, we got stares for not being naked. We looked unsanitary...not eating in the nude. Not that we could eat anyway...
After the spa, we went back to the house to have a cookout. Jamie, a guy that used to work with Justin, cooked up something with other admin. staff and provided us with delicious pork. We had Korean bbq with lots of soju. I went shot for shot with Michael (the boss) for about six drinks and then I had to invent ways of disposing the shots. Needless to say, we had a great time.
More to come...Maggie Teacher's wedding. She invited all the teachers from the school to attend her wedding this coming Saturday. It will be the last time we get very fancied up with Heather, a teacher that we met earlier. More pictures to come following this event.
Hope everyone is doing well and recovering from any sicknesses...I just had a cold and had to use one of four sick days. How I miss calling in sick...but one thing we don't have to do is write supply plans. Our plans are already written out for us!
Hope to have more time to write again soon...
H.
Honest to God, I thought time would go by a lot slower but really...time flies by when you are teaching. Can you believe it's HALLOWEEN?!?! Teachers are still mean right now hahaha...if you missed the teacher not-funny joke, the saying goes, "Be mean 'til Halloween". This is based on the assumption that if you are strict enough and able to keep the kids in a regimented routine until this time...the kids will obey your every word and command. I must say, this is only true for 12 per cent of classes...and that statistics...I made up.
But yeah, back to the point.
We are already planning for Halloween and the decor in the front foyer is superb. I will have more photos up shortly. I meant to take photos of the walls and things hanging from the ceilings but my kids were dancing and singing to Mamma Mia and well...here I go again...
OKAY...the video upload is not working.
If you know why it's taking so long to upload, let me know okay?
If you know why it's taking so long to upload, let me know okay?
Anyway...when I figure out why it's not working, you are supposed to see Jun and Thomas sing their little hearts out to Mamma Mia! Thomas is saying as he finishes his Phonics workbook and tries to help Jun complete his page during the dance sequence when there's no singing...
Thomas is one of my favourite kids. When I told him that his mommy was happy about his report card, he looks down at me (because I'm squatting next to him) and he just plants a kiss on my face. He's smart and adorable...he's mine!
Jun was a problem but after a conversation with Angela about his autistic tendencies...let's just say his behaviour has changed after some modifications and accommodations. I am so proud of Jun...I wish I could talk to his mother in Korean. *Sigh*
Not being able to talk to the parents was not something that I thought I would miss. In Canada, I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the phone light flash red. Here, I only wish I could tell them not to worry so much about their writing and reading...but to worry about their social abilities and emotional health. All they seem to worry about here are test scores and class placements...it's definitely one huge cultural difference. So our professors were right afterall...learning is a culture and pedagogies reflect the differences...okay, back to more news...
As for my third month anniversary, I celebrated with everyone from work. It wasn't anything official but it was a nice way to remember and celebrate how long I've been able to live on this peninsula...
The bosses treated us to a weekend retreat near Ocean Castle Resort. We went to the spa & sauna and had a great time. This visit to Ocean Castle was definitely one of those been there, done that items because I don't think I can take all the nakedness anymore.
Angela, Hannah and I were complete morons in bathing suits while everyone else was eating, walking, talking and socializing in the nude. In fact, we got stares for not being naked. We looked unsanitary...not eating in the nude. Not that we could eat anyway...
After the spa, we went back to the house to have a cookout. Jamie, a guy that used to work with Justin, cooked up something with other admin. staff and provided us with delicious pork. We had Korean bbq with lots of soju. I went shot for shot with Michael (the boss) for about six drinks and then I had to invent ways of disposing the shots. Needless to say, we had a great time.
More to come...Maggie Teacher's wedding. She invited all the teachers from the school to attend her wedding this coming Saturday. It will be the last time we get very fancied up with Heather, a teacher that we met earlier. More pictures to come following this event.
Hope everyone is doing well and recovering from any sicknesses...I just had a cold and had to use one of four sick days. How I miss calling in sick...but one thing we don't have to do is write supply plans. Our plans are already written out for us!
Hope to have more time to write again soon...
H.
Monday, October 6, 2008
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