It's Elementary...

I have completed my first day at both elementary schools that I will be working in. There is so much I could say about my experience so far. Both schools are amazing, but with very different lesson plans. The smaller of the two, has a very strict class agenda that includes video, songs and book reading. All levels 1-6 at this school, have the exact same lesson plan each day. I have found that it is too difficult for the 1st grade, too easy for the 6th grade and boring for all grades after the first time. It's more like repetition than learning. The lesson consists of singing the same hello song, rainbow song, reading the same book and singing the goodbye song each day. I have lost any ego that I might have had after singing the rainbow song for the 10th time in the same day. The principal created this lesson himself, so for the time being I will not offer my criticism of it. He is a very kind hearted man, and I spent much time with him the first day. Perhaps when he feels comfortable with me, I will introduce him to some new ideas. The second school, which is one of the largest elementary schools in Tokyo is very different. The lesson plans are progressive and I have full authority to create, alter or supplement the lessons. I believe the students will be much more interested and learn more useful English skills. I will be challenged here each day to create the most effective lesson plan for the students. Having said all this, both schools are full of "genki" (energetic, happy) children that really make the job fun. I have never had a more rewarding experience in my life. In fact if I didn't need the money, I would do it for free. There is no way to describe the feeling of having a mob of "genki" children drag you down the hallway to your next destination. Whenever I walk through the buildings, I am constantly barraged with smiles, hellos, high fives, hand shakes, tugs and kind comments from the children. I feel moved to do my very best for these kids. There will be much more to come on my experiences in the classroom. Oyasuminasai.