Orientation: Day 2

Well I survived another day with my new students. It was definitely an easier day, mainly thanks to having two groups of 3 instead of a group of 2 and a group of 4.  Plus no one really cried at drop off, and they were so stinking adorable! Now, that's not really the way my trainer would have wanted me to talk about the children, she'd hope for something a bit more respectful of their growing individual selves, but I think adorable described them perfectly today.

With both groups I had a chance to actually just pause for almost an entire minute and just watch them work. Not bad for new children who aren't used to being in a situation like this. And in the second group they were all actually working on the cylinder blocks at the same time. It was so cute! All three of them, at their separate little tables, intently lifting the cylinders by the knobs to put them in and take them back out. That was the best part to is that they were even using them just as I had shown, it was so awesome!

As you might be able to guess I felt pretty good about how today went. I had it a bit more in my head of what the day was going to look like: taking them all to the bathroom first, reviewing our three rules, then a short lesson about how to sit in a chair, and after that going wherever the children led.

Not that it was perfect, there was definitely a few minutes where I had two children waiting outside the bathroom while the boy inside proceeded to not just pull down his pants to use the toilet, but actually took them and his shoes off to complete the act. And unfortunately he's not had much practice dressing himself as I soon found out.

But it went really well. I got in a few nice presentations and exposed my more impatient students to the idea of waiting. I really made a point to explain that "I'm working with so-and-so. When I'm done I will come and help you." They were very receptive to it.

I definitely let some things slide that I won't later on in the year, such as a child leaving work out while they observe someone else. I know most things are easier to be strict on at first and ease up later, but because I'm in the position of being the sole teacher in my classroom, I need to take advantage of any involved time they have right now.

Here's hoping that tomorrow goes just as well! (though it might make me nervous if it does!)

New students!

The day has finally arrived, the first day of orientation for my six new students!

Welcome: S, CL, O, Ca, W, M
(...hmm, they kind of looks like periodic elements this way, oh well!)

I am happy to report that the day went by with no major catastrophes, which is great news because I am flying solo without an assistant and our float person was also absent for the day. I think the biggest incident was having one student come at the wrong time so I had a group of 2 and a group or 4 instead of two groups of 3. It made things a bit trickier but it all worked out.

My favorite accomplishment of the day? Getting each child to shake my hand hello AND goodbye. They all were excited to see their parents, but I was secretly glad that they were also content to continue playing for a bit and didn't need to run right up to them. Let's hope they feel the same when they come back tomorrow and realize this isn't a one time thing!

At our school orientation takes place over three days where the children come in small groups for about  1 1/2 hours. This helps them get used to the routine of coming in to school, changing their shoes and working for a little bit in the classroom. The smaller groups is to help the teacher give more presentations so they new children have activities to do.

I gave each group a quick little tour of the bathroom (very important!) and some important parts of our classroom. We went over our class rules, all three of them!

1. We walk in the school
2. We wait until we've been shown how to use things before we touch them
3. We put materials back in their place when we're done.

I had a small shelf set up with some activities they probably have at home, such as some simple puzzles and a bead stringing activity. I told them they could take any of those things to a table and most of the children found something to interest them.

Now I know I've talked a lot about how a Montessori teacher is supposed to stand back and not interfere, but what I haven't mentioned is that this happens only after the child has EARNED that freedom. That meant that I had precious little time to sit and observe today. Most of my time with the children was spent reminding them to push in their chairs and put things back on the shelf. There was also a lot of directing to activities and (with one group) a lot of reminding that we don't touch things we haven't been shown.

Yet with each group I can distinctly remember a short period of time where I looked around and all the children were engaged with something. It was wonderful! They will get there. We will be a calm, functioning Montessori classroom. The children will be able to choose things that interest them and work on them with concentration. It won't happen right away, but I"m already excited to see that it will be possible!

And So It Begins

Ok, I apologize for not posting yesterday, but admit it, you really did not want to read about orientation. If you've ever started a new job (or several more likely) you know the drill; a lot of talking followed by a whole lot more talking. So enjoy a little photo summary of the highlight of my day today (homemade dinner!)

I did officially find out though that I will actually begin teaching a class starting in September in a campus on the south side of the island so that was exciting, including seeing my classroom for the first time. It's small but really, what else did you expect in Hong Kong?

Little 'park' area on the roadside, there was also a nice fountain with benches behind me.

Challenges of cooking in Hong Kong

Homemade Pad Thai (ok, sorta)