Learn Language through Song and Play!
Joy. What I love about teaching is joy! Often we teachers are tired-- and at times -- burned out. Other times, we are frustrated, when we work hard and have contradicting tasks and overwhelming responsibilities: meeting deadlines, and figuring out how to motivate all children, while differentiating our lessons to help all children succeed. Yet, it is joy that keeps me teaching year after year. The other day , the sun came out just after a difficult lesson. Children had worked hard and it was time for a break. I like to make sure that our "brain breaks" nurture joy. We go outside and sing a new song we have learned, Hockey Pokey. Children struggle to balance on one foot while they "put the right foot in!" This is a song I sang in preschool, so it always brings me joy. Singing is one of my favorite ways to immediately bring a smile to all children’s faces. I watch as children balance on one foot, gradually gaining balance and coordination as they shake...
