And came February 1st, the first day of the month, when I usually update the EB (English Board), I still couldn`t picture in mind what the final outcome would be.
What I did first, was just use the old heart cut-outs I found in the English room that`s been sitting there in the cabinets for years. I put them on the sides to create a border effect. And then I put in the center, the theme of the month, the winning second choice `Fall in love with reading`. Below that, I lined up all the heart cut-outs and on both sides I put the instruction on how to do the challenge, in Japanese and in English.
I also put up a paper and a matching pencil where students can write their names after doing the challenge.
After putting everything, there was still an empty space below so I decided to put up some pictures and explanation telling the difference of how Valentines is celebrated in Japan and other countries. I chose to write the explanation in Japanese because this is about culture, an aspect where they need to clearly understand what`s it is all about.
The school principal said she liked it and I`m happy.
In order to get the students do the challenge, I have to be near the EB during lunch break and recess time and encourage them to do it. Higher grades can basically do it, but with fourth graders, I have to teach them first or sometimes I just let them repeat after me.
The words are actually very easy, but, you know, if it is not your primary language, it is a challenge. The words I used are sing (which students tend to pronounce as `shing`), like (they know from `I like apples`, but some would still say `lee-ke`), love (most of them get it, I don`t know why), bat (which students say `bato`), ten ( I would give them hint by counting 1-9), run, and finally the word win. Then, I award them with a sticker, one that they can never get in Japan (I got from the dollar store in the US). And finally, I let them write their names on the `I did it` paper.
By the middle of the month, I got the paper full and I had to make another `I did it` paper to give space for new challengers.
Few days from now I have to update the EB for March and before that I hope I can get more students do the challenge.
March would be the last EB I`d be making for this school since I don’t know what will happen in the coming school year (in April). Contracts might change and who knows if I`m staying or what. That’s ALT life in Japan. So, I have to make the March EB, the best. Pressure pa more. 🙂
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