Who care what I accomplish, at least they're having fun.

Today was a really GOOD day of elementary. The past few I've had a number of frustrations but today, really good. Lessons went smoothly, the kids were having fun, I was having fun...it was all good.

I will tell you the story of my 4th grade class today:

In 4th grade, we started learning some new vocabulary last week, places. We practiced the pronunciation and such and played a game using a previous grammar point 'Where do you want to go? I want to go to the ________'

Today I said we'd try a directions game. I didn't really prepare totally since I fly by the seat of my pants as a habit. At the beginning of class we did the usual 'What day is it? How's the weather' song and dance, then started out reviewed the names of all the places. We also introduced some direction-giving vocab like 'turn right/left'. Once that was done, I move the places around on the board a little and drew some lines connecting them.

Then I drew a stick figure at the end of one of my 'roads' and said 'Ok, everyone! This is ME!' and I pointed from myself to the stickman and back again. Then, I said something like 'Can you tell me how to get to the bookstore?' with emphasis on bookstore. Then the kids all together shouted out directions to me 'Go straight! go go! stop! turn right! go up!' etc until I got there.

As the game progressed I started adding more story to the proceedings. All of which I illustrated with chalk-drawn stickmen. I had them lead me to the flower shop and bought some flowers for 'Hada-sensei', then had them take me to school so I could give the flowers to 'Hada-sensei.' Then, feigned epic hunger and asked them to please tell me how to get to the bakery. Once I bought some bread at the bakery, I went to the park for a picnic. However, I drew myself alone, so the kids started saying like 'oh she's all alone!' so I responded by saying 'Oh! I'm all alone! sabishii picnic! LONELY!'

After that I told them that I was really really tired, and I wanted to go home. Along the way there, I kept yawning and falling off the path and going the wrong way which they got a kick out of. Once at home I drew myself in a futon, and then said it was morning and I felt good again! For my finale, I got a package in the mail at home. I opened it up to find a candle from my mom. I lit the candle and put it by the window. I started watching TV. While I was watching TV, the candle set the curtains on fire. I called for help! The kids had to get the firetruck from the station to my house.

The day was saved thanks to my 4th graders and I thanked them profusely first in English then in Japanese for SAVING MY LIFE!

Actually through the magic of acting and using a limited English vocabulary, pretty much all the kids seemed to understand my story (although they wanted my candle to be DYNOMITE...boys will be boys.) and whenever I asked them to tell me what they thought I said back in Japanese, they got it, perfectly. (for example, after I said 'Oh man! I am SOOOO tired! I want to go home and sleep! I asked (in Japanese) 'Do you understand? Tell me in Japanese what I said!' and I got the instant response of 'You're sleepy and want to go home')

So happy elementary was fun today.

今日小学校で（無料？）道案内ゲームをした。九割英語を使ってたのに、みんなだいたいわかったそうだ。授業をしながら話を作って、馬鹿みたいジェシカはエンターテイナーになった。生徒の案内おかげで、まだ生きている。