Tuesday, February 03, 2004
Ay what a roller coaster, this teaching. I dreaded going to teach my class this morning because it was so difficult in all three classes yesterday. Only about half the students had even tried to do the homework over the weekend and of those who did, very few had any success at all. So I had to go over previous material instead of starting new work, and they still weren’t getting it. I would look out at the classes and see nothing but zombies with fish eyes staring back at me. Although I had said I would collect and grade their homework, I just simply gave up on that. After class the students were full of complaints – I hadn’t gone over examples in class, why are we studying this, where is this topic in the syllabus, we had this last year, we want to concentrate on what will be on the National Examination ...
So I teach two classes today and expected more of the same. Especially since my first class today was the group of students who are repeating the subject after failing it last year. They are generally considered hopeless by the other teachers. But, surprise of surprises, quite a few had done the homework, and with success! A few even volunteered to solve the homework problems on the board! We went over the work, then I emphasized what they must know from the last lesson and actually moved into new territory. After class, one student insisted on carrying my books to the next class, and a whole gang insisted that I do look over their homework and grade it! That group hung around and we continued to discuss chemistry with animation and interest. I feel so grateful to this class right now!
LATER: Of course I am not out of the woods just yet. Today’s second class is usually my most enjoyable, and today was no exception. They volunteer in class, laugh with and at me and themselves, and are generally uninhibited. But after class, a couple of the good students and I began talking, and I invited them to my home. We talked about what teaching style works for them. They really want, and need, to have the teacher write the material on the board so they can copy it and look at it before class discussion and applications. So OK, I will do my best to accommodate that style and we will see how it goes.
So I teach two classes today and expected more of the same. Especially since my first class today was the group of students who are repeating the subject after failing it last year. They are generally considered hopeless by the other teachers. But, surprise of surprises, quite a few had done the homework, and with success! A few even volunteered to solve the homework problems on the board! We went over the work, then I emphasized what they must know from the last lesson and actually moved into new territory. After class, one student insisted on carrying my books to the next class, and a whole gang insisted that I do look over their homework and grade it! That group hung around and we continued to discuss chemistry with animation and interest. I feel so grateful to this class right now!
LATER: Of course I am not out of the woods just yet. Today’s second class is usually my most enjoyable, and today was no exception. They volunteer in class, laugh with and at me and themselves, and are generally uninhibited. But after class, a couple of the good students and I began talking, and I invited them to my home. We talked about what teaching style works for them. They really want, and need, to have the teacher write the material on the board so they can copy it and look at it before class discussion and applications. So OK, I will do my best to accommodate that style and we will see how it goes.
