First Day

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Monday 2/07/12

After a total lack of sleep last night, I got up at 7.20am to prepare my lesson and also as I had to leave early to pick up my bike from the bus stop and go to the Family Mart for some lunch. Although overcast, it was already warm. It was strange to walk into the classroom without Rebecca there. I was expecting the worst (picture children hanging like spiders from the ceilings and walls), but actually, it ran as smoothly as a normal day. I started my own Mat Time routine, starting with questions for each student as I call out their name and collet their notebooks, Taiso, then calendar work, and then we started learning their new song ‘Never Smile at a Crocodile’. I was amazed how quickly they picked up the actions, but they weren’t able to pick up the words today. I think they will be able to learn it very quickly.

They made cards for their activity, and later we are going to learn how to write letters and fold envelopes. I had some new sequins for them which always sweetens the deal. Then we went to the playground, and Miki came along and helped me with this. The kids were very well behaved and packed up at the playground nice and quickly before returning to a very peaceful lunch. Thank goodness my first day as the Panda Teacher is a Mummy-lunch day. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday will be a different kettle of Miso! I got the kids to help me sweep and wipe down the tables, and although they did a terrible job, it kept them busy from making further mess for at least a brief period of time.

I made them all pack up nice and early (perhaps a little too early), but that reduced a lot of stress and they had time to pick up their finished Windmills before rushing out the door.

Forgot to mention, today the children called me ‘Arigatou Sensei’, which they thought was hilarious! We also had a gigantic tickle war on the Mat whilst waiting for the buses.

After bumping into Kazumi at the supermarket, and a very early curry-croquet dinner, I was so exhausted I practically slept walked to bed for a 2.5hour nap.

I spent the evening trying to work out how to make origami stars.

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