Korean Job Discussion Forums

[mrsquirrel]

FromtheUK made me think of this from his thread today.

When I got to this school I spent hours making materials but I found that every class the kids were just farking them up and ruining them so the next students couldn't use them.

I might spend two hours sorting out words and games that were set into individual groups. Yet by the end of the class they were on the floor, mixed up with other groups and otherwise not useable for the next class without another hours work sorting them out.

I tried for three months but in the end gave up. I generally have worksheets and powerpoint now, nothing else. I got too peed off at my work being vandalized.

I tried again last week with some pictures of famous people. Their names and what they were famous for. Had to match them up. Worked nicely until the end of class where the bits come back folded crumpled and and a massive afro drawn on Luther King in magic marker.

Fark them I say now. I will use the book and basic powerpoint presentations. No more hours of my life are going into making lessons that can only be used one time by one class.

What do you lot do then?

[KYC]

same. I dont spend too much time. I make power points, games on powerpoint, and worksheets. I dont go above and beyond like other teachers. Sorry.

[icnelly]

Yeah simlar A/V stuff, but I haven't had problems with the kids messing things up too bad. I mean I can print a sentence strip activity and it will last through all 5-6 of my classes. They vandalise em a bit, but still usable.

[mrsquirrel]

Not mine, ended up one class where they were separated from the laminate, torn, colored in black, some missing. First lesson of the week as well.

[normalcyispasse]

I spend 2-3 hours a week on materials, but I don't let the kids have 'em. I generally prepare AV stuff and use a projector to show the whole class. If we're doing activities where the kids need their own copies, I run down to the 인쇄실 and have lots of 'em run off so they're disposable.

[patongpanda]

AV and Powerpoint still counts as material though, dunnit?

[thu_tinh]

yeah i guess power points and worksheets counts as materials. but the other things we used to put time into to make i had given up already.

[nomad-ish]

yeah, ppts for me too. i sometimes make handouts, but because i have to have the good sense to send them to the printers at least a week in advance, i don't usually bother.
now i sneak into the office with the photocopier and make copies on the good paper (not too many--just enough for the kids to work in pairs)

[ddeubel]

I've had my share of students "trashing" the materials I've sweated over, over the years.

So now I make sure to laminate, if possible, anything valuable. But most importantly and through much frustration - I really model and explain/demonstrate well, the procedures and respect for materials in general. Everything in a bin, putting each thing correctly back etc....IF not done, I spend considerable "slow mo " time with the class going over it again. They catch on.

Since there is talk about ppt. I'll add. I think teachers don't use the print preview function of ppt. enough. Go to it and you can print all your slides, 6/page for flashcards. Full page for front of the class demonstration/reference or decoration. Other possibilities. I use 3/page with lines for writing activities/story writing. This is a great function and teachers should check out the possiblities -- one of the positives of ppt.

DD

[mrsquirrel]

DD

I have given up all together with laminating or doing anything for them.

This week there is the highly esteemed demo class. It ties in with what they are learning and we have been able to use it in the other classes without cheating.

Kids were warned and warned to put stuff back in the envelopes, to make sure all the counters were back and the dice. Leave everything on the desk for the next class.

Get to next class and one of the kids from the previous class has nicked the stuff.

Stuff them, they are going to be spending the next 6 weeks readin gdialogues with Minsu and his esteemed friends.

[ddeubel]

I hear ya. I know there are always classes / students that no matter how many times you go over something and even no matter how sincere their own intentions -- ain't gonna happen. So yeah, just move on.

But if you do want to try anything "creative" again with the class, make sure the students know that their little spell with Minsu is related to the previous behaviour......

Don't you love teaching?

DD

[hugo_danner]

I learned LONG ago not to expect back anything I give them. Like most here, Powerpoint and handouts.

[Fishead soup]

[krjames]

I use chocopie boxes to make flash cards for my little kids, I know that they are expendable but with a little care, ie the kids hardly ever get their hands on them I still have things from a year ago.
I did have a middle school kid write in my 'A Fish out of water' a while back and I did bawl him out in the office, more for affect as he wouldn't have understood a thing I said but unpleasant for him anyway and an example to the others.(rat bag 1st year middle school class)
In a Hagwan situation it doesn't make sense to get carried away making materials. In a school you can manage things a bit more. When you are collecting things back in, you start with time to spare and check that everything is coming in correctly. If it isn't you can hit them with staying in class until everything is perfect.
But the rule is not to take anything to school that is irreplaceable.

[mrsquirrel]