On teaching kindergarten

[Ruth]

I'm teaching 3 kindie groups now. Maybe the disease Cheeky has is catching... I believe very strongly in getting them while they are young, so have difficulty saying 'no' when I'm asked. Okay, saying no is a lifelong problem of mine, no matter what the situation.

I've had one group of 4 (five and six year olds) for more than 1 1/2 years now, twice a week. I've had the second group of 3 for two months, once a week; they'll be starting school in the fall. The third group is composed of three really little girls (4 years old) and they'll be coming twice a week. Parents stayed for the first lesson. Second lesson was Saturday. I thought we were going to have tears from one, but she and I got through it. Poor little thing freaked out when I introduced something new. They were okay doing stuff I'd done during the first lesson.

Cheeky is an angel in teacher's clothing. The material she sent will be invaluable to me - especially with my two new groups of kindies. Public thanks here and a bottle of whatever she wants, barkeep Dinner and drinks if we ever meet in real life.

Roger M is making up naughty words to go with the kindie songs I was playing yesterday. To be honest, the songs are rattling around in my brain and are getting kind of annoying, too. Perils of the business.

[cheekygal]

Ah, Ruth. Thank you You are making me all shy. I am very happy my workload is helping someone.
As for the songs - gosh, they ARE sticky! For me it was I love Mommy, What do we do and Come ride with me

[DollyODear]

Cheeky

so sorry to hear about the job and did you say that they had also changed the previous teacher unexpectedly? That kind of proves that it wasn't really you at all -- not that it will be much comfort (ouch losing any job not by choice, even a bad one).

[cheekygal]

Yes, Dear, they did. I got over it Thanks for all the support.
I love the afternoon school I am teaching in at the moment. Cross your fingers: they might give me more hours next semester. Then I'll be JUST FINE

[con's fly is open]

For our Mother's Day party our kids will sing 2 songs: that "Mama? -Wei? somethingsomething..." song that you hear everywhere (one friend's phone plays it as the ring tone when I call her); and an English song whose lyrics I have printed below:

Mommy. Mommy, I love you
You know that I really do
I know that you love me too
And so I sing for you

Daddy, Daddy, I love you...


Am I just a jaded single man, or is this just a couple layers of icing too thick?

[cheekygal]

Starting kindergarten AGAIN on June 5th. Don't ask me: I only signed contract till end of August. It is more of I-need-money kind of thing this time. But seriously, kindergarten just kept on literally head-hunting me: they wouldn't give up! And they still hope I'll come next semester full time. I honestly don't want to. I am waiting for my afternoon school to offer me contract - I rather wake up to go there... I need a good rest from kindergarten teaching before I start missing it again!

[Newbs]

All the best with the new gig, Cheeky. I dips me lid to anyone who can teach ankle-biters. (Hogan speak for I have the greatest respect for anyone who can teach kindergarten kids. You listening, Con?)

[Ruth]

Cheeky, Con, Mark, anyone else with insight...

Last night I interviewed (with translator help) a mom of a 4-year old. Maybe wants her child and three 4-or-5-year old friends to study English with me. Fine so far. Balked at the price a little and asked if I would accept 6 kids. NO. For a couple of reasons a) my room is too small b) I can give better individual attention to 4 munchkins than 6 c) crowd control.

Wants to stay in the room. NO. First lesson only to make sure the kids are comfortable with me. a) size of room is a huge issue b) parents interfere too much with the lesson - hit their kids for not paying attention, yell at them if they pronounce wrong, TRANSLATE, pronounce the word in THEIR English after I've said it in mine (why are you paying me, teach them yourself then) c) kids are more nervous and perform less well with parents present (see b for reasons).

Mom really wasn't happy with not being allowed in the class. How would she reinforce the learning at home if she didn't know what I was teaching? Good point. But the kid is 4 years old. Let me teach my way and get the kid to enjoy English, then we'll work on homework. I offered to copy songs for her if she would bring me a blank tape. Songs are a powerful teaching tool for kids this age. Play the music, work on the actions at home. The kid will learn.

I use a lot of TPR, music and picture games (Bingo, matching, etc) with kids this age. Doesn't translate into homework that a non-English-speaking parent can do. With the kindies I've had for awhile I do color pages for them to take home. (The lion jumps over the log. The grass is green. The log is brown. The flowers are red and yellow; The cat runs and catches the ball. The cat is orange. Her sweater is green. The ball is brown and white.) Keeps the parents happy and gives them something to work with if they choose to. I'll do that eventually with the new group, but give me a few lessons to teach stuff first, please.

My teaching method is so different from what they are used to some parents just can't accept it. I'd like to know how other kindie teachers deal with this situation, or do you run into this?

[cheekygal]

Well, at the kindy we always had the lesson plan for a week displayed for parents: vocabulary, lyrics for songs we learnt, TPR and highlights of material we review. Those plans I sent you would be hanging outside of the classroom. In other kindergartens parents used to bring MP3 players to record the class. And also it was always a rule - once a month or in two month we have open class for parents.
Usually I ask parents to just control children, spend 5 mins a day with them reviewing material they learnt for kids still have a weak memory and need to be reminded the material because they are not surrounded by English everyday.

[Ruth]

Good ideas, Cheeky. If she decides to send her child to me I'll work something up. For the classes I've got going I bought those plastic report cover booklets, cover page says 'My English Book' and we add to them every lesson. I've got to work on song lyrics for the parents...

[cheekygal]

Ok, kindy started. Actually, easier than I thought. Just need to write lesson plan. First class - finger painting whoohooo!!! Tomorrow we will do my most favorite color hand-prints. It's so much fun!

[Mr Nobody]

My methods are so different many students and teachers baulk, too.

Then eventually they try it and it works. A bit of a struggle at times. I mean, having to actually do something in class, and talk to each other rather than speaking to the air. And responding. What a hide I have.

Heh.

One question, though. Is the only reason they are called English lessons is that they are in English?

Or does anyone teach English language in kindy? Serious question, not a go at anyone or anything.

[Ruth]

Well, I'm not an expert like Cheeky, so don't quote me. I currently have three kindy groups - total of 5 hours per week. One group of 4 I've had for almost 2 years now. They come twice a week. My other groups I've only had since March. Three little girls come twice a week and a group of four comes once a week.

I don't have a Chinese assistant, nor do I speak Chinese, nor do their parents stay to be helpful and TRANSLATE. Do I teach English? I hope so, but it sure isn't 'by the book'. Meaning I don't use a book. I speak English all the time in addition to the 'lesson' material. We do a lot of TPR. Music is great, so I use a lot of songs (repertoire doubled now, thanks to Cheeky) with actions and/or pictures. I also use a lot of games. Once the kids become familiar with about half of the pictures on the Bingo cards I let them be the 'teacher', meaning that they hold and flip the picture cards. I find this reinforces their speaking. If they know the word - out it comes! If they don't know the word, I say it and they repeat it. Sinks into their little brains somehow over time. I have a lot of picture books, so sometimes read a story or talk about the pictures. They are hearing me use the language.

If they want a drink of water I make them ask for it in English. Of course, I say the sentence and they repeat. The kids I've had for a long time ask for stuff in English without prompting.

Is this teaching? I like to think so.

[woza17]

My new class of 10 years olds, one of the Mum's comes and that is OK even though I do correct her sometimes but she is an assett.
We played monopoly on Saturday night and one of the girls would not sell her property to go to the more interesting part of the game There were all 4 adults cajoling her in both English and Chinese then she asked for time out to confer with her female players, they went into a huddle came back and refused. The boys were getting mightily pissed off. Finally Eri took her aside and threatened to slit her throat if she didn't sell King's Avenue to the other player.

The game continued on quite happily after that.

The kids really got their money's worth that night



These kids are great

[con's fly is open]

Sounds good to me, Ruth. At Kinderland we have communication books for each child- we write stuff in there to keep the parents up to date.

[Ruth]

It's a good idea, Con, if I could only write their language or they could only read mine. Actually, I bought them each one of those plastic report cover books. Sometimes we do worksheets and this is a great way to keep the material together. I've also done some of the song words with pictures. Those get sent home too. I had a friend translate a note to the parents that suggests they review the material with their children at home.

[cheekygal]

ok. here's my new saga with kindy. seems the more i run from it the more it hunts me!
now, my dance class has changed into full English class. Which is alright. Just that now the new chinese montessori school that i am going to hold those classes in is offering me a full-time teaching job.
i might be stupid since i am really really not willing. and i know the pay will be good. i am just a bit drained out with certain recent events in my life to take up such a job that requires me being on full tank of energy 5 days a week...
oh, well. let's see what primary school says first... at the moment i work at 3 places: kindy, my english class and a training center (teaching adults)...

[cheekygal]

new update on my kindy saga: I am done with that morning kindy that was hunting me down before. We had a contract till the end of this month but we are done a week early because:
1) They will have 2 full time kiwi teachers
2) I can't teach there consistantly (I only was supposed to teach 3-4 times a week; I was slacking a lot and actually got sick a few as well)
I am rather relieved: it is really quite a distance from where I live and I was looking into getting out of it for a while now, just felt guilty to leave them completely without a teacher as I had an agreement with them. I got my pay. So next week I will have only 2 classes each 1,5 hours in the evening and the rest of the week - woohoo I am off!!!
But from September 4th I am starting a new kindy, which is 20 mins walk away from my house or if I take a bus that goes a bit around - 10-15 mins. I will be ONLY teaching English there, each time 1h50m or 1h20m depending on day. Only 4 times a week. And only afternoon! (sweet!) Pay is not that great but the agent who hooked me up with them has a very good reputation and she is very honest and stands up for teachers; pays at the end of them month without ANY delay. So... I might get another gig, hopefully in the evening. But if it's close to my house - I might take up mornings.
Whatever I do - kindy won't leave me alone!