Today is Nog’s first day at the English day camp.
I swear, it’s not something I could ever do but clearly Nog is a much braver soul than I am. Also, his regular classes are now over until September (I’ll still be working part time in July and August) so needs must and all that.
Apparently he’s in charge of two groups of 9-13 year olds (yikes!). He gives a two-hour class (eep!) to each group and in between they have a snack and go for a swim. Well, the kids swim while the teachers race between the two private ‘nautical’ clubs (about ten minutes apart) to teach their second group, after they’ve handed out the morning snack.
I just got a text message from Nog saying things are going well so far, just the second class to get through now.
And I have been busily doing ‘housewifey’ stuff all morning, specifically preparing all kinds of Nog’s favourite foods so he can have whatever his brave heart desires for lunch when he gets back (around 3pm).
Wish him luck everybody!
I think it’s gonna be a l-o-n-g month. . .
casa azahar 
9 – 13 year olds, he’s a braver man than me!!
Especially since he doesn’t speak their language, but maybe that helps?
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Hey! The children are our future. I’m sure someone important said that…
Seriously, good luck Noggin. It’l keep you on your toes if nothing else…
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Az says she doesn’t like teaching children because she doesn’t know what makes them tick. But I have that problem with everybody.
I,ve a feeling I’m going to need that month long August Holiday by the time it arrives.
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Just if I had to pick an age-group to teach, (not that I’m assuming Noggin had a choice) it wouldn’t be that one – in my experience, they can be too much like hard work at that sort of age.
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I’m tellin ya, I feel a bit like Burgess Meredith (as Mickey the Coach in Rocky, not as the Penguin in Batman) when Nog gets home. I make sure he rehydrates with plenty of cold mineral water and then while he’s showering I finish preparing lunch and get in on the table. Especially this week as lunchtime does feel like it’s ‘between rounds’ since Nog has a 4pm class until Thursday.
I keep telling him that after this week the rest of the month will be a piece of cake. 🙄
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I have two groups. One is fairly easy (still hard work). The other is much more difficult. They’re not actually bad kids, but by the time I get them for the afternoon session they want to go home/go swimming/play football etc.
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Teaching that age group can be like herding cats! The youngers want to copy everything the olders do, and the olders want to escape them…and they all get easily bored. You job, Nog, should you choose to accept it… 😉
It won’t be dull, in any way — think of the good karma you’ll rack up. 🙂
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Turns out that Nog has the extra late afternoon class until today … so after a quick lunch just now he’s off again.
The next three weeks will be so much easier in comparison. He’ll be able to come home for lunch, have a siesta, and then after preparing the next day’s stuff just be able to flop on the sofa with the cats.
I’ve never seen him so perky and motivated – it’s lovely! He is seeing all of this as quite the learning experience for himself and has even started bonding with the kids.
As I said earlier – he’s a braver guy than I am!
And yesterday I started a thread on Ask h2g2 to ask for some help with organising classes (since the actual organisers haven’t provided much material or direction) and we’ve been getting quite a good and very helpful response. This is h2g2 at its very best – how the community there comes together to help someone in need.
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Yeah, I’m fond of it, too. 🙂
Have you gotten some really good pointers? Teaching is one of the jobs I think I’d love…and hate. I’ve seen some good classes and I’ve been in some hellish ones. Here’s hoping that Nog’s will be the inspiring kind. 😀
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