Korean Job Discussion Forums

[gillod]

I have an afterschool class of 25 little hellions. Because it's afterschool, I don't have a co-teacher. What I do have is 25 kids who don't understand a word I say, rip their worksheets or workbooks to pieces and generally run around the room, screaming while I try to get them to chill out. I can call the co-=teacher in and she quiets them, but the moment she steps out the door they're back at it.

Does anyone have any suggestions for 1st and 2nd grade games , activities etc. that might keep them engaged and at it?


What I've been doing is an alphabet song to start, then a PPT about the "Letter of the Day". Then a video (Yo Gabba Gabba, Sesame Street etc.) about the letter. After that I made a workbook for them with puzzles and coloring sheets. Usually about 10 minutes in they're all over the place. They don't understand a word coming out of my mouth and they don't respond to any kind of discipline. Thoughts?

[southernman]

Is it actually after school or an extra class? It sounds like you are doing a good lesson plan

I was doing an extra class after lunch with first and second graders last year, and there was always a co teacher with me, sometimes late but always there would be one. I would just say that i'm not doing the class without a co-teacher there.

Had my first example of Kindergarten kids on Monday, damn one young girl just took one look at this strange looking white guy and just started crying, hehe

Thats me for this month. I'm not doing it again for now, I told the main co-teacher if I wanted to teach Kindergarten I would be at a Hogwan. The Korean co-teacher was busy, the kids just did there own thing after they had finished drawing. The last thing I was going to do was raise my voice or look angry or be grumpy.

So the Kindergarten teacher has to come up with all the materials and ideas from next month, I just said I'd assist her if I have to but that I'm realy not qualified or interested in teaching Kindergarten AT ALL.

My hat's off to all early chidhood teachers, You deserve all the money you get.

[gillod]

It's an afterschool class- I get paid extra for it. But not nearly enough. I'm gonna try some new stuff today, we'll see how it goes.

[Ramen]

"Let's Go Start" is your answer.

[jonpurdy]

I do an after school class 2x per week with grade 1, 2 and 3. The young ones don't even listen to me in Korean and don't respect me at all. I have a co-teacher and they just barely listen to her. The third graders are fine but tend to get bored if it's too easy (since it often is with the first graders there).

Games are the key. Do as many activities and games as you can. Though without a co-teacher I wouldn't even bother teaching the class at all. I hope you didn't sign a long contract for this class.

To those who have successfully taught K, 1, and 2, how did you do it?

[southernman]

[Horangi Munshin]

They can't make you work overtime but they can make threats and or make life difficult for you if you refuse. I just said no thanks to more classes...

[ddeubel]

Why not take them to the computer lab and have them do something like THIS? Barbara's students - she's the gal who wrote Let's Go and still teaches the youngins.

DD
http://eflclassroom.com

PS. Also see Supersimple songs. We have a player on EFL classroom. See the site map. Devon does a wonderful job explaining how a teacher can use the songs/activities.

[jhuntingtonus]

Best results I've had are from 1) singing (especially if you have something online or otherwise to play the music), and 2) if you have realia such as fake fruits and vegetables, name them, ask them what their names are, give them to them, then ask for them back - gets a lot of involvement.

In fact, their decibel level may rival The Who's Altamont concert...

[chocolate_thundergirl]

I'll just add one thing.

Other than having them sing (nod to jhuntingtonus) and do actions to a video, one thing that has also saved me is puppets.

Puppets, though it sounds simple works wonders... you don't have to be a puppeteer the whole time- that's not your job.

You just want to use them to help get your ideas across.

For example, I had this problem.

As is the case a lot of times at their age, if you say something to the kids they will likely repeat after you, whether or not that's what you wanted them to do. (ie. you say: "How are you?" they say: "How are you?", intstead of I'm good/fine/happy or whatever else you just taught them and are looking for them to say).

If you have one or two puppets you can mimick a two-person conversation without needing two people there.

Also, you can use the puppets to model the behavior that you want or show them how you don't want them to behave.

I have noticed that kids who normally would not want to speak in front of
the class, put a puppet on their hands, and you give them an opportunity to become someone else- they magically speak with more confidence.

Although I like puppets, I try not to use them too much, only when needed so that their effect doesn't wear off and the kids look forward to them.

>>>My 200₩<<<

[tokkibunni8]

My first year here, I was asked to teach kindy. I was honest and upfront and told them that it would be difficult since they are just starting to learn their mother language.

That was the end of it until a week later the P asked me again. But, this time he said it will only be for 15 minutes each, but will still count as 40 minutes of pay time and that I don't have to teach but just to "free talk" with them during their 15 minute freetiem to get them use to being around a forienger.

That I agreed to. My hats off to any foriegn teacher teaching Kindys, 1st and 2nd.

Sorry, couldn't help ya out here. I also do afterschool classes, but I have a coteacher. I was told that because I'm not a certified teacher in Korea, I can never be along with Students. Let your school know that it's hard to teach the little ones and if possible a coteacher.

Not only is a coteacher great in classes with little ones, it has also been beneficial during breaks too. I have friends who have to do 3-4 weeks of camp during break because they have no coteacher, while I only do one week because my coteacher does not want to spend 4 weeks at school during her time off