I filled in today

I had gotten up around 7am, which was good and I thought that I was able to sleep in since that’s when it got a bit hot. I think that it was weird because I thought it was supposed to be raining today, but it was already sunny and hot. I was able to air-out my futon and even get a hair cut before I went into work today. It is so nice to go at this time in the morning because the trains are all empty and I could sit and even sleep on the train.

By the time I arrived into work, I had noticed today was going to be a different day. All the teachers weren’t in the office and to be exact, there were only 2 teachers in the office. I started to get the hint that today we were having a little open school. It really wasn’t an open school where the parents would go into classes, but they were there to learn about the entrance exams and all the other things that go into the school. The day that they get to go into the classes will be this Wednesday and Thursday. I also had a note on my desk that said that CP was going to be absent today. That means there were two classes that are already behind because I wasn’t there to fill in. But there were two other classes that I would be teaching today, that I don’t normally lead. So I think that it was a chance for me to do something different.

The first class that I had to teach was a 9th grade class. This was the one that we last walked out of. I played off the fact that CP wasn’t there and said that she didn’t want to teach that class today because they were bad. So that today they would behave, which I really believe that they did. They were really quiet as I walked in. They seemed very worried and they wanted to be on their best behavior, but it was bad because they even stop participating. So I had to mix it up a little and to get them involved. Since we were doing a chapter that I’ve done before, I was able to change some things around and add some fun to it. I think that after we did most of the boring stuff I was able to add a Bryan touch to it. They enjoyed it and were participating more, so I liked that. I really think that I was able to get their attention, even the bad ones.

The second class that I had today was a 7th grade class. This is actually the first 7th grade class that I taught all year. I wasn’t even nervous about it, because I was at the beginning of the year. I think that this class has one of the highest levels so I wasn’t worried that they wouldn’t understand me or anything. I wanted them to focus on raising their voices because of they are very quiet. It’s hard to hear them when you’re standing in front of them. So I wanted to get them some good practice since it would be their last chance to get what they needed to know. So I found all the exclamation points and had them repeat the sentences. I had them do it so many times that I don’t think that they will ever forget it. So that was fun. I think that all the students enjoyed it, which I think is the most important point. I think that the other teacher liked it too. I used up a lot of energy with that class though, so I’m not sure I could keep on doing that with all the classes. I would wear myself down.

After this class and during 6th period the school met up in the Gym because they were holding their Student Council Elections. I think that it was pretty interesting and I was surprised about some people running. They didn’t seem as if they were the type to run for an office let alone a high office. So that was fun and interesting. They first have the student running give a little speech and then they have two people from that person’s class give a little “encouragement” speech on the side to tell the school how that person is. They did it for members in the 11th through 9th grades. I don’t know why they didn’t go into the 8th and 7th graders. I guess they don’t get an office in the student council.

I didn’t realize it, but I had English club after school. Since CP wasn’t there I guess I had to take over. I thought that it would just be cancelled, but the student asked for it, so I went with them to do English club. It’s the same 4 girls that always come and I think that the club has fewer and fewer people. That’s a sad truth, but I don’t even feel like doing it sometimes. I need to add new energy into it to get a boost for more people or something that would make it interesting for them. Today we went for a debate. Is it better to be a Boy or Girl? I’m surprised that they even wanted to debate that. And the funny thing was that they decided that it was better to be a boy than a girl. I thought that was really funny.

Then I came home and took a shower to get ready for watching SMAP x SMAP. Tonight, in Bistro SMAP, the guest will be Ai Otsuka. I think she’s so cute =D. So actually I’m watching it and typing this right now. It was good, I didn’t know that she liked natto, but she’s from Osaka, so she ordered manjyayaki and other Osaka’s food. It looked pretty good. I think that I will need to get to sleep soon since CP will be absent tomorrow too and I will have 6 classes and English club with Jr. High School. That’s going to require a lot of energy that I hope I will have tomorrow.