Interview :)

Our middle school students have finished with their presentations and have moved on to interviewing. The purpose of their presentations was to give them practice with speaking in front of a group. We practiced how to address a room full of people, how to stand up straight, how to look at the crowd every now and again, and how to hold our papers away from our faces when we're speaking. All of these are valuable tools for any student. :)

This week, we are teaching the students how to interview someone. For homework, the students have to write a series of questions. They can be on anything at all. In class, they have to come up to the front of the classroom and ask ME their questions :) I told the students that I will answer any questions they ask. The only question I won't answer is, "Who is your favorite student in this class?" We just completed Day Two of interviews, and they have been quite fun!! Here are some examples of questions I was asked:

"How much is your weight?"
"How old are you?"
"Who do you like more, your mom or your dad?"
"Are you scared of ghosts?"
"Does your mother work outside the home?" (I responded, "yes," and there were gasps all around the room. The majority of women here are housewives.)
"If you die tomorrow, what you do today?"

This interaction was one of my personal favorites:

Student: "Jemmy Teachuh. If Neal ask you to marry him, you would say yes?"
*the whole class starts laughing*
Me: "No, I'm afraid not."
Student turns to Neal and says, "Sorry. She say no." Gotta love fourth graders!! :)

And this one:

Student: "Why you are called Jamie?"
Me: "Why are YOU called Jamie?" (correcting his grammar)
Student: "Huh? No Teachuh. I'm called Sam."

And finally:

Student: "Do you have religious?"
Me: "What do you mean? Do I have a religion?"
Student: "Yes, do you have religious?"
Me: "Back in America, I go to church. Is that what you are asking?"
Student: "Yes!!"
Me: "Do YOU go to church?"
Student: "Yes. I am....a....(trying to think of what church she goes to)...uh, I don't know. Some Korean name."
Me: "You go to a Korean church?"
Student: "haha yes. Um...let me see. You know Jesus?"
Me: "Yes."
Student: "Yes. I know Him, too."
Me: "Ah! Very good." :)

So far, the interviewing has been a success! We've had some pretty hilarious moments so far. Wednesday and Thursday we are testing...AGAIN!! We just finished midterm testing two weeks ago, and we already have more testing tomorrow and Thursday!! These poor kids...Say a little prayer tonight for them please :)