Tuesday

Woke up at 7:10am today, rice for breakfast, then drove to school. Another relaxed day today with only 3 lessons. First up was 6-2 and we practiced the plays again. They’re coming along pretty nicely! Filmed two groups’ practices and then played it back for them to reflect on. The first group (Disney themed) was pretty well done, and they have kids who can mimic Mickey Mouse’s and Donald Duck’s voice so that adds to the quality of it. The main thing they needed to work on was facing the front/audience when saying their lines, as they all had the habit of facing each other directly, or even slightly turned towards the back. But otherwise they were great! Every member had their lines memorised and they acted out the actions pretty well as well. The next group to be filmed hadn’t got all their lines memorised just yet, but they’re nearly there. They went through the play pretty well, but they had a few members who couldn't stop laughing, it was pretty hilarious. One kid also kept doing adlibs and adding in extra sounds and words, so that’s why the other 2 girls couldn't stop laughing. I’m still really looking forward to the plays though. We got them to make extra props (the objects they’ll be giving each other like onions, bananas, or sweets) and they’re all really getting into it so it’s great!

6-1 up next in period 2 and I thought it was a great run until I went back to the classroom at the end and 3 out of 4 groups was having trouble between the girls and the boys (of the respective groups). My JTE said that it looks like 6-1’s boys and girls don't have a good relationship with each other (but 6-2 doesn't have this problem at all! They’re all very tight knit and close). The two groups that I filmed had been separated into boys and girls at the beginning (because they dead refused to work with each other) and that’s probably why they’re doing so well. That was our mistake so I feel a bit bad about letting these groups have their way, but the other groups are stuck as they are. Kids will be kids wherever you go! But anyway, the first group that I filmed (girls) were great. They forgot their lines a little bit, probably because of the camera, but they acted out the scenes really well, and had even made their props (a bag of lemon dango) before the lesson so it was great! It’s also really nice to see the shy girls doing the play with loud voices. They’re just normally shy in class, but outside, or in small groups, they’re great! The next group to be filmed (boys) were also great – this group’s run was practically perfect so I didn't have too much to say about what to improve on (except the usual face the front more so the audience can see/hear you guys better). They even pointed out their own mistakes, and which actions/gestures were good and stuff, so it was really nice to see! When I went back to the classroom for the last 5 minutes, the groups were in full swing making their own swords for the fight scene, even though I had told them my JTE and I would make them. Some kids even made scabbards and belts to go with their swords! Their effort and excitement is so nice to see. I hope the problem between the girls and boys of those trouble groups gets solved soon though. It’s all on the guys not trying. The one group where they’re still working together is because the guys are putting in the effort as well. At last week’s practice, there wasn’t this problem so I’m not sure when it suddenly sprang from.

Spent the 20 minute break practicing the play with 4-2’s kids again, and today their teacher (or one of the kids?) had wrote on the board “JAIME-SENSEI IS COMING DURING BREAK TO PRACTICE THE PLAY” so the kids were all ready for me when I came. Today’s group was so eager to practice, one kid even asked if she could come for both sessions (at lunchtime as well). They’re doing good! Progress is great. 5-2 in period 3 and they were much better than 5-1 (same lesson). They put much more effort into their parfaits, and also only had to listen to the recording (for the listening activity) once and they got the answers! Hope this is a sign that their English is getting better!? They all put so much effort into drawing their parfaits that my JTE and I decided to give them all sticker rewards. It was also funny because the kids were all going “NO JAPANESE” at the very beginning of class, I didn't even have to say anything to remind them. A lot of them were also having a lot of fun with their parfait requests by asking for 10 scoops of ice cream, 20 grapes, 5 pineapples, and so on. Lunch with 1-2 again and it was another super fun lunchtime. Today’s lunch was spaghetti with meat sauce (the kids got it all over their faces!) and cabbage soup and bread. Less questions today but more conversations, as all the kids were coming up to the front to chat with me about the most random things. One of my favourite 1-2 kids still thinks that I live in NZ and fly all the way back home every night. He was asking me “Did you go home last night?” and I was like “Yes?” and he’s like “How long did it take on the plane?” before I clicked and was like “You know I live in Japan right!?” and he says with the utmost surprise “REALLY!?”. Too cute seriously. Spent the lunchtime break with the remainder of 4-2’s group 3, and they were great! They were again very eager to practice, even coming to the teachers’ room to find me. Cleaning time was a bit rough today since there was a little accident where one kid slammed a door into another kid’s head, so that was rough. Otherwise the other kids cleaned relatively well. Spent the spare 5th and 6th periods making more dress up characters for the English board, since it’s looking a bit empty. Had the meeting with the grade 2 teachers for tomorrow’s lesson and I taught them the Hokey Pokey song/dance! The grade 2 teachers are so encouraging – they were like “Tomorrow’s lesson looks like so much fun! We’re looking forward to it” and everything like that. So nice. Went to the bank to get some cash after school, and also clean my car.