After nearly 2 months working alongside me every day Ms. Lim was ready to take the lead and teach a lesson on her own. Since we were just finishing our study of the 5 Themes of Geography, Ms. Lim used this framework to present her lesson on South Korean culture and language. The students were able to use their understanding of location, place, region, movement and human-environment interaction to get to know Ms. Lim’s home country. In addition to a great lesson she wrote each student’s name in Korean on a sticky note and attached traditional Korean candies. Our students were thrilled with this personal cultural exchange and the opportunity to learn more about the world.
On a crisp fall Sunday we visited the Tacoma Art Museum. We had to park by the UW Tacoma campus because Pacific Ave and much of downtown was closed off. A commercial for Monster Energy drink was being filmed, and there was this big monster truck noisily zooming around. We crossed the Chihuly bridge and walked around the glass museum before heading over to TAM. We’ve had an exciting start to the year at Sequoyah. Because we had over 100 new enrollments in the first 2 weeks at school, every class period has been marked by writing new names on our class rosters and going to neighboring classrooms in hunt of extra chairs. But Yoobin has been a trouper through it all.
She asked me about a teaching practice that surprised her. The day before our first test I put the actual assessment of the overhead and went over the questions with the students to make sure they were prepared. She said that if a teacher in Korea had done such a thing, the students would be very excited and would be frantically coping down the answers. My students, in contrast, just checked their understanding. It was all the same material that we had been going over all week through various learning activities. Yoobin and I discussed our cultures’ differing views on tests. She explained that in Korea students really study hard and a lot of pressure on themselves to do well on the test. I said that my students also expect to do well on the test, but that by participating in the daily learning activities, they’re gaining understanding of the content through doing. I’d like to think that my students value their own understanding of the content and realize that their test scores are only a byproduct of their understanding. Today I met the Korea University student teacher I will be hosting. I’m so excited to start the school year with Yoobin as I’m sure she will help foster our students’ global perspective. There are four Korea University student teachers with us this fall. Two will be at my school, Sequoyah MS, one will be at Saghalie MS, and one will be at TAF Academy We are all looking forward to a great year and this opportunity to enrich our students’ learning as we prepare them with 21st century skills.
I’m looking forward to meeting you and to exchanging ideas about teaching and culture. In the past we’ve enjoyed hosting Korea University student teachers. I’m looking forward to discussing ways we can make this opportunity even more valuable for both you and our students.
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AboutThis page will serve as a Professional Learning Community for Korea University Student Teachers and their Federal Way host teachers. Archives
October 2015
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