A crazy start to school and classes

Yesterday (8/25) we had our first day really in the school since we got to meet the kids and sit in on classes and help out. The first thing we did was walk downstairs (in our socks, no shoes in the school). Most of the kids run around barefoot, instead of wearing socks. It's been very hot and humid, so things have been warm all over the school. 

 

The director was waiting around the door in her office as the kids came in for school, so when we came down early she had everyone come over and introduce themselves, "nice to meet you!" She had us shake their hands and had some of them give us hugs. After that we were offered the same breakfast that they were having which was white sweet potato. It was actually pretty good. After that, around 10am the kiddos went upstairs to their respective classrooms and we got to sit in on one of the kindergarten classes taught by Rob (aka Robot).

The Rainbow Fish class was pretty rambunctious, but that's because we were there in part, and because we were told there was going to be a birthday party later in the day. Apparently birthdays are celebrated together on each month and we just so happened to start at the school when the birthday parties were.

The school has lots and lots of books. Most of them are in Korean, but there are some in English too.

This is looking down on the 2nd floor from the stairs that lead upstairs to our apartment. It's cute everywhere around here!

Looking down at the first floor from the landing. There's a cute little height chart and the kitchen is straight ahead.

This is the sink where the kiddos brush their teeth after they eat lunch, before they go downstairs to play.

This is the kitchen where "chef teacher" works her magic. She makes more traditional meals, but most of them are good and I can't complain. I've been advised against eating the squid and the fish though.

What's a school without fish? They are really cute and kind of relaxing.

This is the Humpty Dumpty room which has a projector and is used for some of the older kids.

This last classroom is used for special lessons including piano and violin, and possibly Chinese?

***Info time: So after shadowing for the morning time and several classes we had the birthday party in the afternoon for 3 of the students. The concept of birthdays in Korea is unique though in the sense that they celebrate 2 birthdays. One birthday is their actual birth, but when they are born they are considered to be one year old as the nine months in the womb counts for them. The other birthday is due to lunar new year which is celebrated once a year in February. At that time everyone turns another year older per Korean culture. So depending on the time of year, their ages could be different! That would mean that I'm 28 or 29! Eek!

Here are the birthday kiddos, sitting among all the goodies. The children at the tables in front of them (you can see Stella with her hands on her head) are sitting with their hands on their heads and eyes closed waiting for everything to be ready. On the table there are chicken fingers, french fries, peaches, grapes, and other miscellaneous snacks.

While everyone was waiting, each of the students took a turn either on their own or with another child to sing a song (or dance) for the party. Some songs were in English and a few were in Korean.

David's birthday cake was a solid ice cream dinosaur?? from Baskin Robbins, you see those a lot around here.

The four older girls did the dance for a Korean pop song by the group f(x) called Electric Shock. They did a great job with it too. As pre-teen girls, they really love their pop music, it's just a fact of life.

The way thing went for school was very abrupt though, I must admit. We were suddenly told that we would be teaching two classes with no preparation and it was similar for me during the next week when we were shadowing and suddenly I was told I would have a class of 13 students in the afternoon and didn't know it. That was a major struggle, as is building the respect in the classroom.

For now though, I will leave you with this since it's bed time...

Coloring on the back of their worksheets after they are finished.