Wednesday

Woke up at 7:00 to a nice cloudy morning today. Had rice for breakfast and set off for school. Didn't have class for 1st period today so I used that time to finish making my alphabet board game for the 5th graders. They have two units following after each other doing capital letters of the alphabet, so it does get boring, which is why I made the board game which hopefully they will like!

First class of the day in 2nd period was with 6th grade. We finished off the country presentations, and had a mini test to summarize everything they’ve learnt. Their biggest challenge during the presentations is definitely speaking loudly. They all speak so quietly! It’s probably because they’re shy and afraid of making mistakes, because obviously they can speak fine and loud in Japanese. At least they can recognize all the country names in English now (from listening). During the 20 minute morning break I went around removing all the emojis and collecting the remaining worksheets. When I went to the 1st graders area to get the emojis, the teachers were really nice about it, saying it wasn’t my fault that I didn't know 1st graders weren’t allowed up to the other floors. The 1st graders were all trying to convince me that it is ok for them to go up to the 2nd floor though haha.

Next two periods were with the 2nd graders. Since I had had a meeting yesterday with their homeroom teachers, the lesson flowed pretty smoothly and the train game became very structured, since we actually used tape on the floor for the kids to have a trail to follow. I think it’s just an English lesson thing where the kids seem to be extremely loud. I swear when I’m passing classes doing other subjects (maths, history, Japanese) they’re never that loud. I’m not sure if it’s because of me (the class is too relaxed?) or if it’s because English classes are just more vocal/conversation based in structure, so it’s hard for them to be quiet. The principal and the vice-principal both came into my lessons today (separately thankfully) so I was a bit worried about the noise. They didn’t say anything since we were in the middle of lessons, but maybe it’ll come up in my report later – some ALTs have already had their performance assessments done by the BOE and their principal/VP! Anyway, these two 2nd grade classes managed to remember “shrine” and “library” relatively well. “Shrine” is still the most difficult for them though.

Lunch today was kimchi fried rice (I didn't realize it was kimchi till the kids told me later! No idea why but I tasted ketchup and not kimchi woops), some pickled salad, and soup with egg and corn in it! The class I was eating with had some leftovers so I got to get seconds for rice and soup yay! I got dragged to a 1st grade class during the lunch break by the kids from 1-2. They really are the most affectionate so far – their homeroom teacher laughs about how they go around the school trying to find me. Cleaning time was a breeze today – the kids were so well behaved! The cheeky kitten-like kid did the wiping properly today. Despite a few minor arguments here and there, the cleaning still went along very smoothly.

Last two periods of the day were with the 5th graders. Classes in the last periods always don't seem to go so well (except for maybe 1st graders since it’s just games?) because everyone has lost focus and any will to do any work. We still finished the planned activities (making alphabet cards and their own quiz about a chosen word) but the explanation time took a long time because they were all noisy and not really listening. Didn’t help that it was very hot and humid today too. Gunma weather is indeed weird. Just when you relax and think yay the weather is cooling down, it hits you back with these hot days. Had a mini meeting with the 1st grade teachers about next week’s lessons. They’re all so nice about everything that I feel bad. I said I’m sorry English classes always get so loud and they’re like “Nah don’t worry about it, it’s all the kids and they’re always that loud, don’t worry!!!” and they said it was great that I’m here everyday (so they can ask me stuff if they ever need to) and that they can communicate with me in Japanese. Thank you lovely teachers for being so nice. We’re starting “My Town” with the 1st graders next week, and like the 2nd graders the first lesson of the unit is on left and right, and the teachers were commenting how the kids don't even know left and right in Japanese properly yet. Cute.

Finished work at 16:10 today. It actually turns out that my official hours are 8:15 till 16:00, and not 16:15 like I thought it was. The VP reminded me of this when he saw me still doing work at 16:00. It was 16:05 ish and he was like “Shouldn't you be home?” and I was like “It’s not 16:15 yet?” and he was like “But you finish at 16:00?” haha. So he made me go home, and even showed me the contract stating that ALTs only work 7 hours a day (either 8:30 till 16:15, or 8:15 till 16:00). That was a funny episode for the day! Went to the supermarket after 19:00 to do some grocery shopping – it’s so nice to have a car for this since I stocked up on quite a lot!