Let me tell you a secret...

I had a brand new art class this year on Saturday. It started with 4 students, 3 students were 4 years old turning 5 this year, and a 6yo Desiree who is primary one this year who is turning 7.

It was their very first art class for all of them but 3 of them happened to be very scared. Obviously, 6yo Desiree was ok. First, 5yo Yayu, she kept asking her Mum and her helper to stay with her but she still managed to stay in the class with them, a little scared I can tell from her facial expression. Second, Shu Chong, he kept holding or pulling the collar of his t-shirt whenever I spoke to him. Third, Ryan, his eyes were teary when I was drawing on the whiteboard. Then I realised I need to communicate with them as they were not very familiar with me and the environment!

I stopped drawing and said, "Class, I have a secret to tell you..."

The children gave me a curious look.

I continued, "I haven't washed my apron for many years!!!!!!!"

The whole class laughed and looked at my very dirty apron!

Yayu started her conversation, "Teacher Esther, why you never washed your apron ah?? You know it is very dirty and smelly!" She smiled.

"I know, but I really don't have time to wash it, and I think the stains will not be washed away because they have been on the apron for many many years! And I think I didn't washed it for more than 5 years!!!!!"

Wow, more than 5 years, I can't even believe what I said but it is so true!!!

Yayu finds the conversation so amusing, "Teacher Esther, you can ask your maid to help you wash!"

"But, I don't have a maid!" I replied.

"You should use a scrub with detergent, scurb on the dirty area and rinse it with water!" Oh my! 5yo Yayu talks like an adult.

When I saw the rest were comfortably listening to our conversation, they were at eased, there, I continued drawing on the board.

The lesson begins.

P.S: Thanks to my very dirty red apron :)

Gong Xi Gong Xi

My students love singing festive songs especially Christmas carols and Chinese new year songs! The most popular chinese new year song is Gong Xi Gong Xi! They would do their artwork and sing along together!  First, they would sing it in Chinese, I remember 5yo Shayna sang it in English loud and clear last year! But this year, she can't really remember the lines... 6yo Maya (my Japanese student) recalled and sang it out loud for us!

Here's the lyris:
Chinese New Year means hong bao,
Lots of food and lots of fun.
Peanuts, candies and cookies,
Coka cola, ice cream.
Gong xi, gong xi, gong xi ni ya! 
Gong xi, gong xi, gong xi ni!

4yo Momo said...

4yo Momo kept calling me "Teacher Esther!" when I was conducting the class! 5yo Maya thought it was funny, she smiled at me everytime Momo called me!

This time Momo started to ask me question, "Teacher Esther, do you still riding?"

I mistakenly heard that she said Teacher Esther do you still play violin!

Then I said, "Oh yes, I do still learn violin!" :)

Then she repeated herself again, "No Teacher Esther, do you still riding?"

"Oh yes, I'm still learning how to play violin! And I'm learning from a teacher too!" I said.

Momo is a soft spoken little child even when she shouts, I don't really hear clearly with her soft shouting tone! Haha! She was a little fustrated but she repeated herself again, "Teacher Eshter, I mean do you still riding?"

This time I got her, "Oh you mean I still ride my bicycle?? Cycling??"
"Oh yes of course I do!"

"When are you going to cycling?" Momo asked.

"Hmm, maybe tomorrow!" I replied, "Do you want to join us?" I teased her.

"I can't, Teacher Esther! Tomorrow I have SCHOOL!!!" Momo exclaimed.

I laughed and said, "Ok, let's go cycling together one day k!"

Momo answered without hesitation, "YES!"