Speech Day Spring 2010
May at Grace School was a black hole. Students were swamped with preparations for test after test at all their various schools and hagwons. Teachers were busy creating, giving, and grading tests (the grades of which were later curved more times than Lombard St. to please the parents). And to top it all off, we had to prepare for "Speech Day," an end of the semester event that involves students reciting hopefully memorized speeches (most of which were written by their parents or us) and receiving prizes for their arbitrary grades. Needless to say, by the time the day arrived, we were all frazzled and stressed to the max.
However, once we saw all our kindergarteners dressed in their little white shirts and red bow ties, we suddenly forgot about the nightmarishness of the previous month. First they sang the Do-Re-Mi song, which had been echoing the halls since March. Next they recited their speeches. Most of the kids had them so memorized in the weeks before the speech contest, that they were reciting them at lightning speed during rehearsal. We were all a little worried that they would do the same during the contest, but they all did an awesome job. Plus, they were all so cute that it didn't really matter what they said. After the speeches, they received awards, and then sang two more songs. It was a lot of preparation for a few short hours, but the kiddos were adorable and the parents ate it up. The elementary speeches were a little less exciting. There were no bow ties or cute songs. But most of them did a very good job, and we were proud of them.
Because there are really no words to describe the cuteness, here are a few videos:
"The Do-Re-Mi Song"
"John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt" by the older kindergarteners (7 years in Korean age, 6 US age).
The younger kindergarteners (4-5yrs US age) doing "If You're Happy and You Know It."
Our littlest one giving her speech. There is an ongoing argument among the staff over who will take her home. :-)
The younger kindergarteners doing "Old MacDonald."
I have the best homeroom, ever. :-)
Yes, that is 15 kindergarteners sitting still and looking in the same direction. Don't blink.
Before singing Do-Re-Mi. Props compliments of our resident artist, Susie.
One of the funniest, weirdest, and most expressive kids ever... wearing suspenders. We love him.
The younger kindies before their big number.
Ee-I-Ee-I Oh!
Three of my elementary girls.
