Cosmic, man
...written on 2001-05-02, @ 4:05 p.m.
Tales of Kim's Life in Japan
Sat April 21, 2001
"My very educated mother just served us nine pumpkins", intoned the newly turned ninth grader at the Maranouchi branch. I hollered "Yippee!" and led the class in a round of applause and then watched as many other hands in the class shot up to take their stab at reciting the handy phrase I just taught them for remembering the order of the planets in our solar system.
In the first class of the evening, I had played charades and then tried to make a game out of giving directions. Well, after that, I decided I would not have the second class lead me to the boring library, department store or movie theatre again. No siree, Bob. We were going out of this world. I took them on a tour of our solar system.
I am on the fourth planet from the sun. Where am I? I am between the 3rd and the 6th planets. Where am I? I am on the smallest/largest planet. Where am I? These two planets are almost the same size. What are they? I am in front of Saturn. I am behind Earth. I am next to Venus. Where am I? Go straight to the North star 'til morning. Who am I?
After my self introduction, the game of charades, and the solar system tour and questions, I had five minutes left and taught them the above phrase. I was so pleased at how they caught on and that they were able to remember the planet names as well, that I gave them their choice of my best metallic stickers. The class went way over time, but the teacher and the students didn't seem to mind.
I have to remember that teaching has its ups and downs. I was a little down the other day about the way some classes have been going, but it is worth perservering through the very few blue days to soar with the many highs.
"Do what you love and you'll never have to work another day in your life." somebody cool said this, but it wasn't me though. tee hee.