Sunday, April 10, 2011

In The Classroom (Introduction)

Hello,
                My name is Wintermute and this is Dumbr, a simple blog of my ongoing experiences in South Korea. I just recently finished Contract Week, if you missed it, go read it. Next we will be discussing Common Classroom Practices. You signed the contract, you met the consulate, you left your family, you ate the airline food, you took a cold shower not knowing how to make the hot water work, and now you are teaching in a classroom for the first time. I can only imagine the plethora of questions and thoughts storming in your head. Where are my shoes? Oh…they really don’t speak English? Hey don’t hit her… no don’t cry…well don’t hit him back. You have to go to the bathroom…Again?!

                One thing I noticed and love about Koreans is how they think Americans are magical, like we have some kind of wand that does everything. We all just know exactly what to do in every situation, and while we have the confidence to believe that’s true when you get right down to it we are all just winging it. Teaching in the classroom really is about 60% improve, this week I hope to fill in the other 40% and answer some basic questions you may have on how to deal with your new class.

1.       Morning Routine – What is a good way to get my class ready and engaged to start the day off?
2.       Discipline - Yelling and screaming at them didn’t work, how do I get them to listen?
3.       New Material – What’s a good way to introduce new material to the class?
4.       Music/Art – I can’t sing and I’m no artist, can we just have play time instead?
5.       Level Gap – Not all of my students are on the same level, what do?

I chose these as they will come up daily, and are needed if you wish to be successful and stay sane. This week will have a much happier tone then the last as I love teaching and soon you will too. This will be a helpful guide for you to turn back to if ever in need of help. So I hope to see you here every day. Please bring your questions with you, and do please spread word of this blog. I will see you tomorrow!

Your teacher,
Wintermute
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40 comments:

  1. El OsvyApril 10, 2011 at 3:01 AM

    Nice post, I'll follow you

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  2. SamApril 10, 2011 at 3:03 AM

    Thankyou! I'm going to use this as I take and teach some classes at my school :)

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  3. hemorrhageApril 10, 2011 at 4:27 AM

    im considering about going to korea

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  4. fdogg2009April 10, 2011 at 4:58 AM

    good information friend!

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  5. MarianApril 10, 2011 at 5:31 AM

    half of the world thinks americans are magical. until they meet some.

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  6. cool_ciclerApril 10, 2011 at 5:35 AM

    Only from your analysis I already have the desire to visit Korea one day. Great blog.

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  7. Fix PC Games AdminApril 10, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    you are an awesome teacher

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  8. AnonymousApril 10, 2011 at 5:51 AM

    Try using weed.

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  9. Leanora's BlogApril 10, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    This is a very good blog, with a lot of useful information. I'm going to take a look around some of your other posts.

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  10. AnonymousApril 10, 2011 at 7:01 AM

    I'm looking forward these answers! Especially the 4th one :D

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  11. A70 8TracApril 10, 2011 at 7:49 AM

    Wow, looking forward to how you answer these!

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  12. MuscovyApril 10, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    I have friends in south korea, so I found this very interesting.

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  13. AnonymousApril 10, 2011 at 8:07 AM

    Nice, this is going to be super interesting. Following :)

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  14. AnonymousApril 10, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    This is looking to be quite the interesting blog. Can't wait to see some of the stories you post :)

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  15. Blk JesusApril 10, 2011 at 8:19 AM

    very nice!

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  16. FreddyApril 10, 2011 at 8:29 AM

    good to read

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  17. RemiApril 10, 2011 at 8:42 AM

    Interesting, do update us with your classroom practices, btw I'm Korean :D

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  18. AzooApril 10, 2011 at 8:44 AM

    The best way I have found to get others to listen to to treat them as equals. This concept applies to all beings; not just humans.

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  19. Garrett BrownApril 10, 2011 at 9:25 AM

    The best way to keep them in line is to keep them all on the same level, try to talk to them as people, not students. But above all else, dont get too friendly with them, then they'll walk all over you! You'll do great! :)

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  20. AnonymousApril 10, 2011 at 9:27 AM

    Very interesting i must say :) Follow

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  21. AnonymousApril 10, 2011 at 10:14 AM

    Discipline, how I wish everyone was born with it (myself included)

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  22. NinaApril 10, 2011 at 10:36 AM

    I'm excited to get to hear everything.

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  23. InhiaApril 10, 2011 at 10:58 AM

    good luck. No pics of the classroom?

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  24. Team PandaApril 10, 2011 at 11:16 AM

    I'm about to start work as a teachers aide soon, so I'm gona need as many tips as possible. (especially in the "getting them to listen to you" part) I'd like to hear more about that hah.

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  25. Wayward DispositionApril 10, 2011 at 11:30 AM

    Any chance we could see some more pictures? I feel the story flows better with pictures. Like you had last time. :D

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  26. tiowaApril 10, 2011 at 11:32 AM

    I'm half Korean and lived 5 years in South Korea. Probably the best 5 years of my life

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  27. King ElysiumApril 10, 2011 at 11:42 AM

    I'm glad I'm done with school. I used to get high every morning before school though, and I still managed to graduate early ;p

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  28. edApril 10, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    its true that we are magical people

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  29. MuteMath FanApril 10, 2011 at 12:19 PM

    Teaching really is a gift! Good luck to you!

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  30. AnonymousApril 10, 2011 at 1:02 PM

    oh dear!

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  31. AnoApril 10, 2011 at 1:49 PM

    thanks for sharing!

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  32. DYLONApril 10, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    you need something interesting to really grab their attention at the beginning of the class

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  33. UnknownApril 10, 2011 at 5:23 PM

    Interesting. I don't know all that much about Korea.

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  34. LaurentApril 10, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    If yelling and screaming doesn't work. Then yell louder. haha :D

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  35. TunerollApril 10, 2011 at 5:47 PM

    Most of my friends are Korean haha, so I understand wat you mean!

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  36. DerpFilesApril 10, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    I think being a teacher would be cool but the fact that kids can fuck with you and you can't get them back scares me. Good stuff though man, very professionally laid out and presented clearly and in an orderly fashion.

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  37. TasosApril 10, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  38. TheStamosApril 11, 2011 at 9:56 AM

    i dont think your post was intended to be comical, but i got a chuckle at some parts.

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  39. Brandon SampleApril 11, 2011 at 8:41 PM

    no, there was intended humor, glad i made you laugh.

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  40. OscarApril 12, 2011 at 2:15 AM

    Satirical, I like it!

    ReplyDelete

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