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Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Learnin' and Stuff
Have you heard about iTunes U? If not, find it... it's amazing. I'm currently doing a course from Stanford called The History of the International System.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Caaaaaaamp
Hello all,
Camp is all finished (whew!) and I will head back to school tomorrow! I taught at a camp for the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education for three weeks and at my school for just one week. The MOE camp was all 3rd and 4th graders, and at my school is was 3rd-6th.
The MOE camp was actually a ton of fun. We had 6 foreign teachers (myself included) and co-teachers to match. The students at that camp were a lot of fun, and the lessons went really well. One downside was that on the second day, I had some money stolen from my purse by a student, however, 4 days later, I came into the classroom after lunch and there was more than twice the amount that was stolen sitting under some of my lesson plan sheets. My guess is that someone's parents caught wind of the theft and made them give more money back.
Also, at that camp, we had a homeroom where we were supposed to teach the kids some kind of performance- either a song, dance, skit, or something similar. The performances were held on the last day and it was an absolute riot! Andrew's class did We Will Rock You, we also had the Macarena, The Three Little Pigs in a skit, and for mine, I taught them "Hello, Goodbye" by the Beatles, along with a little dance of sorts! It can be seen here. And in case you were wondering, the kids at the end are shouting, "Encore!"... yes, it rocked.
The winter camp at my school also went very well. It was a bit more relaxed since all of the kids knew me and also because it was only a week. The teachers that I worked with had a pretty relaxed attitude about the whole thing which made it really nice!
Now, at this point in the game, I will be heading back to school tomorrow to finish off this school year. We will have one more long weekend over the Lunar New Year (Valentine's Day weekend), and then finish up at the end of February.
The new school year will start in March (I believe...) and at that point, I will have a new co-teacher and be really facing the end of my time in Korea. And at this point, I have no idea what that will bring!
Take care, everyone, and stay snug- winter is almost over!
kb
Camp is all finished (whew!) and I will head back to school tomorrow! I taught at a camp for the Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education for three weeks and at my school for just one week. The MOE camp was all 3rd and 4th graders, and at my school is was 3rd-6th.
The MOE camp was actually a ton of fun. We had 6 foreign teachers (myself included) and co-teachers to match. The students at that camp were a lot of fun, and the lessons went really well. One downside was that on the second day, I had some money stolen from my purse by a student, however, 4 days later, I came into the classroom after lunch and there was more than twice the amount that was stolen sitting under some of my lesson plan sheets. My guess is that someone's parents caught wind of the theft and made them give more money back.
Also, at that camp, we had a homeroom where we were supposed to teach the kids some kind of performance- either a song, dance, skit, or something similar. The performances were held on the last day and it was an absolute riot! Andrew's class did We Will Rock You, we also had the Macarena, The Three Little Pigs in a skit, and for mine, I taught them "Hello, Goodbye" by the Beatles, along with a little dance of sorts! It can be seen here. And in case you were wondering, the kids at the end are shouting, "Encore!"... yes, it rocked.
The winter camp at my school also went very well. It was a bit more relaxed since all of the kids knew me and also because it was only a week. The teachers that I worked with had a pretty relaxed attitude about the whole thing which made it really nice!
Now, at this point in the game, I will be heading back to school tomorrow to finish off this school year. We will have one more long weekend over the Lunar New Year (Valentine's Day weekend), and then finish up at the end of February.
The new school year will start in March (I believe...) and at that point, I will have a new co-teacher and be really facing the end of my time in Korea. And at this point, I have no idea what that will bring!
Take care, everyone, and stay snug- winter is almost over!
kb
Friday, January 1, 2010
I was right...
...Sydney rocked. I am in love with that city and I'll shout it just as a fake rockstar once shouted "I am a golden god!" from a rooftop.
But seriously, it was an amazing vacation and an amazing city. Totally wonderful.
After Korea, I took off to Fukuoka, Japan for just a couple days, which was really nice. They had a really good downtown area that was nice to walk around, and my new favorite store, Muji. (Basically a Japanese Ikea... I subsequently nicknamed it 'Jaikea'.) This place is wonderful and I found some good, cheap stuff there like Thai curry cooking bases, Earl Grey flavored marshmallows (they rock- don't knock it), and a new dayplanner for 2010. (Speaking of which, HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
I'm now back in Korea, having celebrated New Years Eve by making Shepherd's Pie, Green Bean Casserole and Kahlua Brownies for Andrew and I and then celebrating New Year's Day by making Chocolate Chip Pancakes this morning. I'm also busy trying to wring all of the relaxation out of this weekend that I can before I am back to teaching on Monday. I'll be teaching at a winter English camp, which are usually fun because the lessons are more free-form and silly, but the kids can get a bit loopy by the end of it!
And during my extra-curricular time at camp, I'll be focusing on working on the afghan I'm making (I'm about a foot and a half into the length of it, and it's about as wide as a queen sized bed- a big undertaking), learning a board game called 바둑 (Baduk). Andrew and I bought the game and are going to try to teach each other the basics during camp time. I mostly wanted to learn this game because there's an entire TV channel in Korea dedicated to teaching the intricacies of it and you always see old men at parks playing it. (Old Korean guys playing it makes it seem like something really wise, so I guess that makes it cool?)
But now, if you'll allow me a regress back to a previous topic- the New Year. (Typing this while listening to New Year by Death Cab for Cutie.) I'm really excited about 2010. There's been a lot of change for me in the last few years- particulary 2008 (what with graduating college, turning down a job offer, accepting a very different job offer on the spur of the moment in South Korea and building a life there, and meeting a kind, intelligent and silly person who has become a huge part of my life).
This year feels very different, however. I think in 2008, I didn't think about the change that would be coming up- I was totally living in the moment (as one should do in their last year of college), and I wasn't really thinking about the change that would be occurring. In 2010, though, I am really looking forward. It's different because this time I know for sure that huge change will be coming my way. I know that in August, I will be leaving Korea. I know that I will be moving to a new location, almost certainly with the person mentioned previously, and I know that I will be starting a new job.
Where I go, what I will do, and how I will live is all a mystery though. But that mystery will be solved in 2010, and I'm so excited to see how. It's all really quite humbling, knowing that at this point, I have no control or idea of how those mysteries will reveal themselves.
I hope that this New Year brings a sense of wonder and anticipation to you as well. To those at home, I miss you dearly.
Love, Kayleigh
But seriously, it was an amazing vacation and an amazing city. Totally wonderful.
After Korea, I took off to Fukuoka, Japan for just a couple days, which was really nice. They had a really good downtown area that was nice to walk around, and my new favorite store, Muji. (Basically a Japanese Ikea... I subsequently nicknamed it 'Jaikea'.) This place is wonderful and I found some good, cheap stuff there like Thai curry cooking bases, Earl Grey flavored marshmallows (they rock- don't knock it), and a new dayplanner for 2010. (Speaking of which, HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
I'm now back in Korea, having celebrated New Years Eve by making Shepherd's Pie, Green Bean Casserole and Kahlua Brownies for Andrew and I and then celebrating New Year's Day by making Chocolate Chip Pancakes this morning. I'm also busy trying to wring all of the relaxation out of this weekend that I can before I am back to teaching on Monday. I'll be teaching at a winter English camp, which are usually fun because the lessons are more free-form and silly, but the kids can get a bit loopy by the end of it!
And during my extra-curricular time at camp, I'll be focusing on working on the afghan I'm making (I'm about a foot and a half into the length of it, and it's about as wide as a queen sized bed- a big undertaking), learning a board game called 바둑 (Baduk). Andrew and I bought the game and are going to try to teach each other the basics during camp time. I mostly wanted to learn this game because there's an entire TV channel in Korea dedicated to teaching the intricacies of it and you always see old men at parks playing it. (Old Korean guys playing it makes it seem like something really wise, so I guess that makes it cool?)
But now, if you'll allow me a regress back to a previous topic- the New Year. (Typing this while listening to New Year by Death Cab for Cutie.) I'm really excited about 2010. There's been a lot of change for me in the last few years- particulary 2008 (what with graduating college, turning down a job offer, accepting a very different job offer on the spur of the moment in South Korea and building a life there, and meeting a kind, intelligent and silly person who has become a huge part of my life).
This year feels very different, however. I think in 2008, I didn't think about the change that would be coming up- I was totally living in the moment (as one should do in their last year of college), and I wasn't really thinking about the change that would be occurring. In 2010, though, I am really looking forward. It's different because this time I know for sure that huge change will be coming my way. I know that in August, I will be leaving Korea. I know that I will be moving to a new location, almost certainly with the person mentioned previously, and I know that I will be starting a new job.
Where I go, what I will do, and how I will live is all a mystery though. But that mystery will be solved in 2010, and I'm so excited to see how. It's all really quite humbling, knowing that at this point, I have no control or idea of how those mysteries will reveal themselves.
I hope that this New Year brings a sense of wonder and anticipation to you as well. To those at home, I miss you dearly.
Love, Kayleigh
Thursday, December 17, 2009
Just a quick blurb to let you all know: I LEAVE FOR SYDNEY IN TWO DAYS!
I'm so excited, for a number of reasons... I can't wait to get out of the winter that officially set in this week, I can't wait to eat some great food, I can't wait to go to the Sydney Opera House and hear their choir/orchestra, I can't wait to stay at a frickin' cool hotel, I can't wait to see the vineyards in Hunter Valley, and I can't wait to travel with my amazing partner again!
All in all, I have a strong feeling that it's gonna rock!
Have a great Christmas, everyone!
Love, Kayleigh
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Christmas season
Hello all,
Happy Thanksgiving week! I have spent the last few days making jokes with my students about how I wish I could eat turkey on Thursday and showing them clips of Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving special.
I have been researching how I could possibly pull together a Thanksgiving dinner, and I think I'm getting close. I've been able to find ingredients for mashed potatoes and gravy, stuffing, green bean casserole, sweet potatoes with marshmallows, and maybe even pumpkin pie (if I can find a pie tin that will fit in my toaster oven). Sure the green beans may be canned, the gravy from powder, and instead of turkey there will be a rotisserie chicken... but I'm not complaining!
The spirit of the season was furthered today by the fact that I received my first Christmas present! It was even wrapped! My parents mailed me a package that included- among other things- the movie Bad Santa and some Christmas Tree-shaped pretzels dipped in white chocolate and green & red sprinkles. Talk about holiday spirit!
Christmas isn't a very big deal in Korea... the only places that ever look Christmassy are the department stores, and even then, it isn't that Christmassy. Christmas is seen as sort of a couples holiday, not a family holiday, and no one really talks about it or has any traditions for it. Yet, all of these little things- the chance of a half-way decent Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas presents in the mail, and the clock ticking down until I escape to Australia, is just enough to get me in the mood to start the Christmas music.
Thursday, October 15, 2009
More Library Pics
Here are some pictures of the finished product!!
This is my vice principal and my co-teacher, Seona.
This is the classroom!
This is one of my favorite parts of the room- my students are always astounded when I point to Korea, and then I point to Minnesota. ("Oh, teacher! So far!")
This is my desk in the library
This is the computer counter and the theatre.
This is inside the theatre.
Some of my 5th grade students in the theatre.
Inside the library (The shelves are much more full now that we got our order of books in!)
The Bob Marley was all me! (The typo was not!)
Our posters at the back of the classroom.
Inside the library.
Information on how to use the library.
The entrance to Yangji English World (the name was not my idea).
So there ya have it, folks! That's the new room where I get to teach!
Hope you're all well!!
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
New Classroom!
Hey there!
It's been a long-awaited delivery, but here are some pictures of the construction of the new English classroom/library! I'll make this post all about construction and the next all about the final product, only because I can't upload more than 5 pictures per post!
The construction took a total of about two months, and then about another month to get all of the books and DVDs in. As I speak there are some 4th grade students enjoying, "Horton Hears a Who" in the theatre. :)
So here's the pics, along with some captions! Enjoy!
A wall that had separated two rooms was partially demolished to turn the two rooms into one larger space.
This is what would become the main teaching space with a blackboard, tv and side whiteboard.
This is the same area, only a few weeks later, after the main part of the construction had finished and the decorating had begun.
This is the theatre that has a small stage for role-plays as well as a tv for English movies. It also has graded seating that the students typically treat like a jungle gym.
This was taken while standing at the back of the classroom and looking into the library. The man pointing is the head of the project from a design company and the woman in the skirt is my co-teacher, Nam Seona.
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