1st Week of Classes

The first week has gone so well. It is hard keeping up with the kids though, especially with my ankle. I have about 115 kids, so lots of new names and faces to learn. I did a great project with the 5th graders using wire hangers, staple guns, and panty hose. They were pretty funny when I mentioned panty hose. Some didn't know what it was and I'm almost sure that the boys had never touched it before. I didn't really tell my family, so I'll tell you now, I took most of the panty hose we had- sorry Kristina if you needed it for anything. I think there are a few pairs left at home. I was shocked to see how much we had accumulated over the years, but I don't think any of us really wear them anymore- at least I don't. And I used it for a good cause! There are a few students in most classes that don't speak any English or just a little, so that will be a challenge this year. There is one boy in 5th grade who knows no English, but it was really fun to teach him how to use the staple gun. I've been using a lot of gestures with some kids....Sometimes I think I confuse them more. Today we had no school and were in meetings all morning. I would much rather be teaching. I'm going to help coach JV volleyball and we had tryouts this week. I've never been part of tryouts, so this was a new experience. I didn't like it and wish all the girls could learn the sport and play. I'm thankful that we went to such a small school and let everyone have a chance. This is still a small school, but because we travel so much, there is only a certain number of girls we can take and manage. There's a tournament in China and in other cities around Korea. We travel pretty far. Tomorrow I am going with some other teachers to a Pottery Village by the mountains. We don't have a kiln or clay at the school, so we take kids on fieldtrips to this village. I'm really excited to see it and make some pots! I'll try to take lots of pictures. I hope that all of you are doing well and miss the wide open space in Iowa. I'm definitely in the middle of the city here. Oh, and Karl, they have guys volleyball at the school- so I wish you could be here. You would really enjoy it! Back to work......