Two weeks ago, I decided I’d had enough of that class of hyperactive 7-8 year olds I see once a week at the school I have to drive to every Wednesday afternoon. It was hard enough being a combined grade 3-4 class, not being able to base lessons on their respective textbook materials, and having to come up with random fun, interactive, effective learning activities week after week. Then add to that the fact that half can't speak English and don't understand anything, the constant screaming, hitting each other, randomly wandering around the room and me spending more time asking them to be quiet and sit down than teaching. I was sick of it.
So I went to their homeroom teacher, Mrs Park (who usually leaves when I arrive) after class and explained to her what usually happens. Then I asked her to sit in on my classes to help me out. She was really apologetic, she knew what her kids were like and agreed to sit in from then on.
Last week, she sat in for the first time. It was like teaching an entirely different group. No one got out of their seats unless they were supposed to, no one was yelling, there was no fighting. It was actually a decent class. Thanks Mrs Park, you rock!
Hey Guy, I had a similar experience at prac last week teaching a composite kindi-year 1 class (so 5 and 6y olds). Though they understood almost every word I said, they definitely didn't listen. I was amazed at their teacher, who would walk into the room and command obedience without a word. I hope I learn that skill one day...
ReplyDeleteHey Steens. Miss you! I think it's because this teacher hits the students if they act up haha. But also maybe it's because we're younger and probably a little too nice sometimes. At their age, I think fear is more useful to us than respect.
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