Lacing up our shoes in k1
This week, the high school students had an essay in our writing class. The assignment was about procedural language, and the students were supposed to write a procedure for lacing up their shoes. HOWEVER, they weren't supposed to do it in the way they usually do. They were supposed to find a NEW way to lace their shoes.
Some of the students did diagrams, which was all right, but I would have preferred them to use language and give instructions. A couple students gave instructions for how they USUALLY lace their shoes.
However, this was a learning experience. Their next assignment is to find an appliance in their home that takes at least five steps to operate and write a procedure for operation.
One of the things I explained to the students is that in almost every job I've ever had, I've written a procedure manual on how to work the equipment (often because I was the only one at the time who actually knew HOW to operate the equipment, being the company guinea pig and all). So, I showed them the "Operations Manual" I made for Seishin, with instructions on everything from putting grades into the computer, to using the copy machine, to filling out necessary forms.
Being able to write a procedure is a very useful skill. Saves a lot of time in explaining things to people. Just hand them the book and tell them to follow the steps!
Date: 07:58｜Permalink｜Author：nelp
Speech Contests
Yesterday, two of my high school first graders went to speech contests. Brian went with one of my high schoolers to the 5th All Japan High School English Speech Contest preliminary at Kurashiki Minami High school, where she won 2nd Prize! She'll go on to the next round!
I went with the other student to the Notre Dame Trophy English Speech Contest at Notre Dame Seishin University, where she shared the Excellent Prize (like 2nd place) with another student whose speech was also really great. I was SO impressed by all the students. It was a VERY high level contest.
Here's a picture taken by my student's mother.
Date: 19:16｜Permalink｜Author：nelp
This Week in NELP
Last Sunday was the Seishin Culture Festival. Here are some pictures.
Here are the first graders in writing class.
Here the second graders are having a discussion.
Here are the third graders in a discussion.
This week, the junior high school students were working on debates.
The first grade topic was "Should junior high school students get discounts on buses and trains?"
The second grade topic was "Should students be allowed to choose their teachers?"
The third grade topic is "Should we repeal the Japanese government law that levies penalties against companies that hire overweight workers?"
The third grade debate will be next week.
Today, I talked to the high school first graders about their first reports. I could have done a better job. Luckily I have some good ideas for next time.
Date: 21:38｜Permalink｜Author：nelp
Next Readings
Next week, the junior high school NELP students will begin their first reading of second term.
The first graders will be reading a poem called "An Easy Decision" by Kenneth Patchen. It's about a man's unusual encounter during an evening walk.
The second graders will be reading a poem called "Class Pest" by Kathy Kenny-Marshall. It's about an annoying boy!
The third graders will be reading a poem called "Chelsea Had Some Chocolate Milk" by Ken Nesbitt. It's an unusual little poem about a rather messy class.
I hope the kids will enjoy the readings.
Date: 16:39｜Permalink｜Author：nelp
New Photos of First Grade Students
Here are some recent pictures of the first grade students.
Date: 16:31｜Permalink｜Author：nelp
Third Grade PSA
This term, the junior high school third grade NELP students will be working on a video project. They have to create a public service announcement. It can be 30-90 seconds long.
The "protype" NELP class did a short video against war.
The first NELP class did a really amusing anti-smoking video.
The next NELP class did three videos: about manners on the train, drug abuse, and wearing uniforms properly.
The next NELP class couldn't finish their videos because we were too busy with the debate. However they had a lot of good ideas.
This time, we divided the class into two groups. I am REALLY amazed at how much work they've already done.
We watched a bunch of PSAs, including those made by previous NELP students. Today was our first day to work, and the students not only chose their topics, but by the end of class had already started scripting and storyboarding.
This really is such a fantastic class. They are SO hardworking! I can't wait to see their PSAs. I'm sure they will be great!
Date: 16:26｜Permalink｜Author：nelp
The Cave 2011
During the summer lessons in July, the NELP first grade girls worked on a special project: making a story.
We read a book called "The Cave" (written by Robert Waring, who teaches English at Seishin University). The girls' assignment was to write and illustrate a prequel to the story explaining about The Cave.
This year, the girls' story was about an evil teacher who badly abused the five girls in his class! It was a very violent story, and it didn't have a happy ending for the teacher (who looked a bit to me like Max Schrek's Count Orlok in the film "Nosferatu"!) but I still enjoyed it a lot. Here are some pictures.
Date: 16:12｜Permalink｜Author：nelp
NELP Pre-test 2011
We had the NELP Pre-Test on August 20, 2011. It was a big success. We had a lot more people than in previous years. A lot of the girls who took the test did really well, too.
In general, if a girl can pass the 3rd Grade Eiken STEP test, she can pretty well pass the NELP Entrance Exam. However, I have to stress that this DOESN'T reflect the level of the class. Rather, it reflects what I hope the student knows BEFORE she comes to class.
NELP, however, is a lot of work, and it's important for the girls to have a positive attitude!
The NELP entrance exam will be in December, so start making plans now!
There will be a kind of seminar about the test on November 20th, I think.
Date: 16:06｜Permalink｜Author：nelp