HTIC Service Learning :: Blog

Today, we went to QUEEN KA’AHUMANU elementary school. We went there seven times to teach English to children. However, today was the last day for us. I am very sad. It was unforgettable experiences for me and also it was a fabulous opportunity to communicate with people from different cultures. I leaned numerous things that I will need to be a brilliant teacher from these experiences. Queen Ka’ahumanu elementary school is an ESL school, which means it teaches English as a second language. The school is cross-cultural communication, which is communicating with people from different cultures. Therefore, the students are taught English at this school. Of course English is also our second language. I thought leaning a second language is a very positive aspect, not only for us, but also for the children. However, teaching a second language to children was not easy because it was difficult to make the classroom comfortable for all students, for example; attracting the interest of the students, getting the students to participate, being a sensitive teacher, and keeping the student’s attention. These were very difficult for us, but very important. These experiences will always be good for us as well as the children because we should speak clearly. We did many activities with the children in this school. For instance, I tried to teach them to sing a song using vegetable names. The children listened to my song and they were looking for the vegetable that I sang about in the song. In my view, this activity attracted the interest of the children and they followed me in everything I did, vocabulary and words are very useful too. We taught them how to grow plants. The school’s vision was to use planting as a teaching tool. The teachers tried to teach English using plants because it attracts the interest of children. We read a book that told how to plant in the correct order. We put into practice what we learned about planting, such as taking seeds, putting it in the soil, and watering the plants. At the time, I was very happy that the children looked very enjoyable because they could grow their own plants. When I was a child, I had to grow plants and everyday we had to observe how they grew.
On the other hand, the most difficult thing was teaching the kindergarten students. We did activities where we introduced ourselves. I helped them to speak English by using whole sentences. For example, when I asked a child “how old are you?” he answered “five”. And then, we tried to make whole sentence like “I am five years old.” It was very difficult to teach them because they could not read. Therefore, I tried to speak slowly and repeat again and again. However, I also lack proper English pronunciation, so sometimes they could not understand what I was saying. I realized that I need good pronunciation and intonation.
Everything during this opportunity was very fantastic experiences for me. The school, Queen Ka’ahumanu aims to be like a family. Teaching a second language (English) to children is not easy because some children gradually progress in learning their language, but others do not. It depends on how well they understand. We should adjust to each child’s skills. I had a really wonderful time there. I appreciate this opportunity and I am thankful for Nick who is my brilliant core teacher and Diane Murakami who is a teacher of Queen Ka’ahumanu elementary school. And also my fabulous core 4 friends.

Elementary School

Kazuto Miyajima

 

     Today I went to the Elementary school with my classmate.  It was last time to go there.  First thing what we did is to read a book about insect, animal, fish, and bird.  They learned name of them and where they live.  Actually they already knew about that but we did not know.  I taught how it pronounced.  They liked animals so they could focus on this studying.  A girl who was my partner remembered my name and she worried my leg because I got injured.  I was very happy.  My leg will be getting better because of her kindness.  I took a test which was about animal’s name from her.  It was difficult.  Therefore I could not answer well.  When she taught the answer for me, she was looks like happy.  I think that children want to be a teacher just like us.  While we were taking rest, teacher Murakami gave us traditional Chinese food.  It was very delicious.  She always gave some food to us.  We have to be thankful.  After that, we played some games to teach mathematics for children.  They could not count numbers and also they could not write numbers.  Study of mathematics is boring subject so we needed to make interest of children.  We played game in order to make their interest.  Children could enjoy and study very well.  I had very good time with them.

     I have gone Elementary school many times.  We went to there to teach English and we learned English from students.  I think that teacher is the most difficult works because there is no rule and no textbook.  Every day, different things happened to me because we studied with human.   They have a different interest, and emotion.  Therefore we had to change how to communicate with children.  Studying is hard things for children because they could not focus on studying.  We need to combine studying and enjoying.  Talking is the most effective way to make their interest.  I always asked to know their ideas.  I wanted to teach them that failure is base of success.  Thus children should not be afraid of making mistakes. Many children could not say their answer when they did not know what the answer is but they should try and should make mistakes.  Most important thing was to love children, because children can feel our love.  It is the beginning of teaching, but most important thing.  Of cause, I had to teach them clearly. When I taught something for them, communication was very important.  Last time some students called my name.  I was surprised and I was very happy.  I think that I did little well job with them because they remembered my name.  I realized that every child has innocent smile. It makes teacher’s motivation.  Teacher is the hardest job but they can make children’s smile.  It is very beautiful thing and also it is very difficult thing.  I will never forget this experiences.     

Kazuma Okubo              Today, we went to Kaahumanu elementary school that this time was last time to go to Kaahumanu elementary school.  This time, we did activities which kinds of reading a book and teaching about animals.  First, we made a pair with fourth or fifth grade students and then we taught about animals and gave questions to elementary school students.  My pair could read and answer the questions actively, therefore I could relax and taught easily.  In the textbook there were a lot of difficult words, therefore I could not understand animals’ name.  I thought I should study more daily word and vocabulary such as animals’ name because I do not want to humiliate myself in the teaching.  In that time, I was teacher, but I could not answer the questions, I did not know the daily words ad vocabulary, therefore shame on me.  Next, we made a group which consists of two college students and two kindergartners.  And then we did activities which were like game.  My partner was Takuma, therefore I could teach easily because he could help me, and he exposed be friendly.  Therefore In my perspective, kindergartners could spend happy or nice time.  Today, Dian Murakami gave us bun which was so delicious.  She gave us something almost every time.  Thank you for being kind.                Through this project which means the teaching to elementary school students and kindergartners, I learned many things and got many experiences.  When we went to Queen Kaahumanu elementary school at first time, we worried about how to expose and talk with elementary school students.  First activity was teaching about sunflower.  In that time, I did not know how to teach and expose with children, therefore I could not teach very much.  Then I thought students had great English skill better than us.  I was so shocked, but then I thought “I can change myself from now!  This is good opportunity to me!!”  From then, I changed my mind and tried to do everything actively.  Week 3 and Week 4 were difficult to change my mind yet, but I have changed gradually and then I became more actively.  Sometimes we did fun activities, and cross cultural festival was hold.  I could enjoy cross cultural festival very much and experienced a lot of things.  I could eat many kinds of world food such as Thai food, Korean food, Chinese food, Philippine food, and Hawaiian food.  Also I ate Japanese food which was Tortoiseshell candy.  I thought Japanese food was the best.  Beyond that, we did cultural dance and origami.  All of students looked like very fun.  Also I could spend great time in there.  Dian Murakami who is Kaahumanu elementary school teacher and also established E.L.L. is great and very kind because she gave us something to eat and E.L.L. T-shirt almost every time.  Also her eyes had energy and power.  I learned many things from elementary school students, kindergartner and Dian Murakami.  Also Nick is great teacher!  If he did not make opportunity to go to the Queen Kaahumanu elementary school, we could not experience these great things.  Thank you.  I want to make use of these experiences for my life.  If I have a opportunity, I want to go Queen Kaahumanu elementary school again.      

Elementary SchoolKazuto Miyajima      Today I went to the Elementary school with my classmate.  First thing what I did is to play vocabulary game with student.  We made groups and each group has different cards of animal.  We showed picture of animal for student and they answered what the name of that animal. Actually most of all students had vocabulary of animals more than us.  They could answer easily but they did not know what the spell is.  We know the spell so we could teach it.  I think that it is interesting because children can speak English very well but spelling is too bad.  Same thing happen to Japanese children.  I leaned that writing is more difficult than speaking for student.  Adults are different from children because we can write but cannot speak.  Children’s brain are very clever.  After that, we play another game.  One person from each group saw an animal and others could not see it.  Then the person who saw the picture of animal drew that animal.  Other member guessed what the animal is by watching picture.  We got 4 points which means we were champion!!!  Children were very exciting.  Fun activity can make children’s interesting easily and deeply.  Teacher Murakami gave us cakes for lunch.  It was very delicious.  In next class, we wrote children’s introduce paper with students.  They could say their name, school, family, and favorite but they could not write these words.  Therefore we needed to help them.  we had a very good time with students. 

Kazuma Okubo              This time, I got a lot of experiences in Queen Kaahumanu elementary school again.  Unfortunately the weather was raining, but we could enjoy teaching because we did pleasant activities in the rainbow room.  This room was like a small world because there were handmade world maps pasted on the wall in all directions.  At first, we made a pair and then taught about animals to fourth and fifth grade students.  I thought I did not know animals name very much because I could not answer the elementary school students’ questions, but they could answer my questions easily.  I learned animals name from them.  After that we enjoyed game which was battle with other teams.  First, I was showed a picture of animal then I went back to my team and drew a picture.  If someone could understand what I drew, raised a hand and answered to teachers.  In this game, we could not answer almost all questions because our drawing ability was really low, so we could not understand what our teammates wrote.  Next, we read a book to kindergartner.  This time my partner was Titania who before my pair, so I could read a book to her easily.  In my perspective, she could understand everything what I taught.                We got pan cake from Dian Murakami.  It was so good!!  Every time Dian gives something to us.  Thank you for giving something every time.  I will do my best next time.

Kazuma OkuboCore 4              We went to Kaahumanu elementary school and learned many things from it in this time.  At first, we taught about plant for elementary school fourth grade students.  They could understand everything about what I wanted to teach.  I could feel comfortable because this was first time about which they could understand smoothly.  After that we went to backyard to check the plants because we planted seed of bean last week.  When we looked the cup, seed of bean were changed a little.  The buds have appeared in the cup.  I thought growth of seed was very fast because we planted last week, but buds already have appeared!!  After that we made pare with elementary school students and then buried young plant in the small field of the backyard.  After burying, we washed our shoes because mud stuck on our shoes.  Then I thought elementary school teacher was great because they taught about how to wash children’s shoes and must not stain the passage with mud.  After teaching for fourth grade students, we taught same thing to kindergartner.  This time, we put up a bad fight because they did not know difficult words and did not study earnestly.  However they were Japanese, therefore we could talk naturally.  Of course, they had grate pronunciation better than us.  We lost kindergartner about pronunciation, but I do not care because I will change and practice over and over.  Additionally, we got E.L.L T-shirt from Dian Murakami who is elementary school teacher.  I was glad, and I will ware this T-shirt next Friday.   

Today, we went to QUEEN KA’AHAUMANO elementary school. At first, we were divided into groups and did pair work with those students. Last week, we planted beans. Today, we told them how they changed compared to the plants that we planted last week, and also we told them the names of the parts of plants, such as roots, leaf, and soil. While we were teaching, they wrote down in their notebooks what they observed through planting. For example, color, shape, size, and feel of the plant. We observed using a microscope and by measuring. They looked so happy because they can see their plants growing. After that, we took their plants that were growing in a cup, and replanted them into a field. It seemed like they did not want to dig a hole because the soil was wet and muddy. Our shoes became dirty, but it was a good experience for us.
We could get “ELL” T-shirt from Diane Murakami who is a teacher of the QUEEN KA’AHAUMANO elementary school. Finally, we taught children whose ages were 5 and 6 years old. We observed the plants as we did with the other children before. This observation attracted the interest of　the children. Before we told the name of parts of the plants, they did not know any vocabulary of the parts. Therefore, we told little by little and they repeated after us. It was a good exercise to learn vocabulary because they could understand easily and enjoyably. I am looking forward to seeing them again!

Elementary school

 

     Today I went to the elementary school with my classmates.  We planted some seeds in a soil with elementary school student.  Then it is growing up and we can see reeves.  Therefore students observed it by using a magnifying glass.  They had to write an observation such as color, shape, size, and texture.  Children could say color easily but shape was difficult for them.  They wanted to write answer which was same as their friends.  They did not want to make mistake so they did.  But we need to teach them that to make mistake is very good thing for you because it makes their improvement.  Therefore they should have worked individually even though they would make mistakes.  After observation, we went to a garden to plant those seeds.  Plant was in a cup but it was too small to grow up.  Every child digs a soil to make a hole by using their hands.  Actuary children even any country really like mud.  So they were exciting.  It was very good thing because we could combine playing and studying.  They did not know how it grows up.  Therefore I taught them.  Everyone became duty but everyone had a good time. After plant children had to wash their shoes because they would get mothers mad.  It was the one of the studying.  They lean to wash their shoes if they got mad.  Finally Murakami who works in the elementary school gave us a T-short of elementary school which means we could be a member of this school.   

Kazuma Okubo              In this time, we taught how to raise plants for elementary school students.  At first, we divided and then made a pair with elementary school student.  My pair was Juan who is half Hawaiian and half Samoan.  I taught how to read and understand a book.  However he was fourth grade student, therefore he had good English skill better than me.  I was so shocked, but some time he had questions that very difficult and asked me then I could understand and taught questions.  In my perspective, I was gotten accustomed to teaching for children gradually.  After that I taught how to raise plants to Juan.  In my opinion, I could teach smoothly.  Also Juan could do that smoothly.  Next, I taught same things to Titania who was kindergartner.  At first, I taught how to introduce herself to Titania.  She tried to say something actively, therefore I could teach so easy.  But, sometimes she could not understand what I want to say.  Maybe my pronunciation was really bad, so could not understand my opinion.  I have to practice and change my skill of pronunciation more and more.  After that I taught how to raise plants.  She also could do that smoothly like Juan.  In this time, I learned many things such as push and pronunciation from elementary school student.  I have to change and practice very hard.  Next time, I will teach actively and talk fluently.  I am looking forward to next time. 

　　Last Friday we went to the elementary school to teach English.  First, we made some groups and each group has different activities.  We had different grade of student so we had to teach them in different ways.  I taught vocabulary to fifth grade student.  He who was my student had problem in pronunciation because he was from Africa.  I taught how it pronounces and how it writes.  It was hard for me because I am also not a native speaker then I also have problem.  I used card game to teach vocabulary.  It made his interest.  He tried very hard but when he did not know the answer, he became angry.  So I had to control him.  It was my good experience.  After this activity, we ate a doughnut with my class mate.  It taste was terrific.  I was very happy.  We taught to lower grade children that how to introduce themselves.  My student girl could not say anything such as her name and her country.  Therefore I had to ask kindly.  The children had to describe their name, their family, their house, their school, and their favorite things.  I asked each questions very slowly.  Some time she smiled and talked but mostly she was silent.  I needed to reduce her stress to make her smile.  Maybe I could do it because she said “thank you” with smile for me. Also we made plant with student.