My youngest, lowest-level class has one 2nd-grade boy, Semin, who is quite “wild.” Not always in a bad way – he is bright and engaged, but it is impossible for him to sit still, and he only has one volume setting: maximum.
We were learning a song in the class. I had the kids sing through it a few times, but their enthusiasm was disappointing. They kind of mumbled along. So, I turned the volume down on my computer playing the song as background, and told them I wanted them to sing loud – not shyly. Because they’re lowest level, I added in Korean, “큰소리해” [do loud voice], to make sure they’d understood.
Semin got a very serious look on his face, and settled into a pose with his arms crossed on his chest, like a game-show contestant.
“난 준비 되다,” he intoned, in all seriousness. This means, “I am ready.”
I had to laugh. Of course he was ready. And indeed, he shouted the entire song.
[daily log: walking, 6.5km]