I teach special education students (MRs) at Gompers MS. This is my regular assignment. However, I have regular 8th graders for my Homeroom. Our administration curriculum officials have suggested to us HR teachers to teach the "Second Step" curriculum. I tried that for a week, but the time allotted is too short (20 minutes). Before the students could settle down, their attendance checked (including school uniform) and the school wide announcements, I have no more than 15 minutes left. Needless to say, not enough time for motivational intro to the lesson proper. The students got bored and asked if I know how to speak Chinese. They thought I'm Chinese, not a Filipino. I attempted to teach some Nihongo phrases with some Katakana characters. This seemed to interest them. Drawing from my college background in Nihongo, I somehow managed to get these regular 8th graders to focus. I was surprised, too, when two female students told me they loved Japanese literature, even adding that most of Japanese poems deals about seasons and fruits and flowers. My problem is I am short on Nihongo and the Katakana and Hiragana characters that go with Nihongo table conversation. I know if I teach this curriculum in my HR, it would go a longway for my students, even just to perk up their interest in History. Can you provide me with info as to Internet sources that I can use? Thanks.
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