Poems

I really want to get more of what their brain can do.  Brain is a muscle that must be exercised. Therefore, I am giving them the strength to learn and remember other information through poems.  So I let them memorize many things, to say a few Poems and Fingerplays.  Unbelievably, they can remember it in a very short time.

Rhymes and Patterns are exciting for them and can be used to begin their love for poetry.  They may not understand it or don't know what to do with it, proper guidance from the teachers and to the parents as well may be of great help.  Through poetry, they will be able to enhance their English language skills.

Training them to speak publicly through reciting a poem at an early age would be a great help with their future careers.

And one thing they love after reciting the poem is by the applause given by the whole class, that would give them the sense of accomplishment which increases their self-confidence and feeling of self-worth.  I hope Thaam and Focus could feel that too.

I would like to share one of the poem that they can memorize.  They were able to memorize it in just 2 weeks.

The Wind

I can get through a doorway

Without any key

Or strip a leaf 

from a great oak tree

I can drive storm clouds

Or shake tall towers

Or steal through a garden

and not wake the flowers.

Seas I can move

Or ships I can sink

I can carry a house-top

Or the scent of a pink.

When I am angry

I can rave and riot

Or when I am spent

I lie quiet as quiet.

I can hardly memorize it myself, but they were the one who help me remember the words.  See! How the brain of a small child can develop and adapt so quickly.  At this stage of their life, they can learn so fast.  Whatever you feed to their brain at this stage has a great effect on their adult life.

One key that I believe has help them memorize it so quickly is by using hand motions on every word.  Through that they will be able to know the meaning of it and would show expression or feelings on the words being said.

God bless everyone!

______________________
 

The above blog post is brought to you by Popsie Sausa, who enjoys educating people on the internet. For more information, please visit http://www.viloria.net/swa-pinoy/swa-tmv2.shtml?popsiekol

Real Rice Experience

The students were given the chance to experience things in a real situation.  They were able to see things closely and had learned many things from the expert. Field trip is a part of the school activity which take the students away from their normal school environment.

Today we went to Ubonratchathani Rice Research Center.  A center for observing and researching the behavior of rice in Ubonratchathani province here in Thailand.  As well as to help the farmer solve the problem whenever it arises.  

The children were introduced to 2 kinds of rice.  Khaw Niew (Glutinous Rice) and Khaw Jaw (ex. Jasmine Rice).  So funny when the instructor asked what is the difference between the 2.  One student said, Khaw Jaw is white and Khaw Niew is black.  But really each variant has 2 colors (black and white).

They were taught also how to plant rice properly.  Not really in the rice paddies but they prepared a bucket where they can plant the rice.  It gave them an experience outside their usual activities at school.

Bugs and insects were introduced.  There are Good BUGS and Bad Bugs.  Good bugs protect the rice while the bad bugs are the predators that destroy the crops.  Small as it seems but they can damage the whole crop.  Cannot tell the name of the insects because it's in Thai but the idea is there are insects that can be good for Rice Plant.

They also had a chance to RIDE a buffalo though not all students wanted to try but some of them are just so excited.

They have research laboratory in the center.  Students were able to see the labs and how they test the variety of rice.

It was an exciting thing for students but not for teachers (lol).  They were able to observe the rice in natural state and how it develops.

And of course our "Star Dancer on the bus".  Ms Jeena The Grand Condo Ubon!

The above blog post is brought to you by Popsie Sausa, who enjoys educating people on the internet. For more information, please visit http://www.viloria.net/swa-pinoy/swa-tmv2.shtml?popsiekol

Telling Short Stories

Good Day Everyone!

Today, I would like to share my warmer.  It has been the most-loved by my children.  They are always asking for it everytime I come in the class.  "Do you have any stories today?" and shouting in unison "STORY, STORY, STORY!"  If I don't have any, they will wear their saggy face down.  But then of course, it all depends on the set of students or a class.  There is a class who doesn't like stories especially if the majority of the students cannot understand English. 

But first, let's see

Why telling stories is very important for small children?

1. It can move emotions and feelings.  When the story is sad, the listeners are sad as well.  There is a connection and can be felt by the listeners.

2. It can boost mental capacity.  Through thinking and imagining things that is happening in the story, their brain will be actively on.

3. It will increase their knowledge on different things.

4. It introduces new vocabulary for them.

5. And a lot more.

After knowing all the benefits of telling stories to them,  Let me suggest some few things.

1. Better to have visuals like books, props or anything.  It would catch their attention if you have something to show them.  One time I forgot to bring the book so I took a Calendar Flip-on, it was all about cars.  I told a story that the characters were the cars and I flip the page just to change the scene and it tickles their interest.

2. Make the words as simple as possible.  Use words that are understandable to their level.

3. Let them repeat the words as much as possible to get an interaction with them.  One way to get them involved in the story while learning new vocabulary.

4. Make it more funny for them.  Put some jokes in the story.  It would make them more interested if they're having a good laugh in between.

5. Say the words differently.  To check their listening skills, say the wrong words.  Like if you are talking about a duck, but purposely make a dog sound.  They will protest if they are listening and understand the story.

6. Exaggerate things.  Over emphasize things.  They love it!

7. Touch them once in a while.  For example in making a BIG gesture, you can hit gently one or 2 students on the head with your hand.  By showing how big it is.  Or scare them!  It would wake them up.

Telling stories are very important to a child though we are in a Technology-age.  TVs, ipads and high-tech gadgets would destruct and hinder their mental development.

So tell them stories and more stories.

http://coolpopsie.blogspot.com

The above blog post is brought to you by Popsie Sausa, who enjoys educating people on the internet. For more information, please visit http://www.viloria.net/swa-pinoy/swa-tmv2.shtml?popsiekol

Teacher Popsie

Teaching Kindergarten is such a challenging job especially for a foreign teacher.   

Rewarding in a sense that you will see them improved their English continuously.   

My experience in teaching Kindergarten in Thailand has exceeded to my date allotted.  

Now I've been here for 7 years and 6 months as to what I had in mind before that I will stay only for 5 years.   

For the information of everybody, in Thailand English is neither their primary language nor its secondary.  Nevertheless, the government tried their best to enforce the English lesson to every school in Thailand.

I am a Filipino, 30 years old and my students used to call me "Teacher Popsie".  Next blog will be some techniques and ideas that I'm using in teaching English to Kindergarten students.  Please leave some comments or feedbacks if you have any questions or things to clarify.

God bless everyone... 

"You don't need more to be thankful, you need to be more thankful."