When I first got here and started observing in the classroom, I knew there were some teaching methods Jhing used that I wouldn't personally want in my own classroom. Jhing is a great person and really cares about the success of the kids. She's creative and hilarious, but anytime she teaches it's basically yelling the whole time. The kids don't really know how to behave. She's a big fan of having the whole class answer questions together, which is definitely good at times. However, I don't think they've ever had to raise their hand for something in their "grade one" life (it's called grade one instead of first grade here). I was teaching math yesterday, gave time for the kids to work out an addition problem on their own, and then asked who could raise their hand and tell me their answer. They all started yelling the answer, and the couple that raised their hands were yelling, "me, me!" Keep in mind that these kids started school in July. They should know how to raise their hands by now.
I want to transform the classroom! I don't want it to be constant yelling and chaos. I want rules and guidelines and consequences for misbehaving.
When I got here, during the Filipino teachers' thirty minute lunch break the kids would be split into two groups between the older kids and younger kids. From there, they would be split up and half would go in a classroom for Heads Up, Seven Up and the other half would go in the meeting area for games, and then would switch halfway through. It was pretty hectic. Our new principal devised a "station rotation" plan for all of us foreign teachers to take on an activity for the kids to do for the whole thirty minutes, and then they rotate to a new teacher each day, so we have fifteen or so kids in one place instead of thirty. It's much better, but also means other volunteer teachers get to fully experience my class. Basically, I've realized my class just really isn't disciplined. Others have pointed it out.
So while I kind of had just gotten used to Jhing yelling all the time, I've realized I need to get "un-used to it." There is no reward/consequence system in the class. We don't have a set of rules for the classroom. I would love to see this change!
Of course, I can't do this on my own. I have only done student teaching for one semester of PE (and only half of that was at an elementary), and while some things carry over to a classroom environment, not everything does. This is only Jhing's second year of teaching. Therefore, we have two fairly inexperienced teachers in one classroom. I've decided to talk to our principal to get some ideas for rules for the classroom and a reward/consequence system. It will be hard to change things. Since July, the only thing the kids have known is to shout answers and to be, well, crazy. The only thing they really respond to now is yelling. For story time, for example, I've tried the whole, "Okay, you won't get a story until you're quiet and all eyes are on me" method. They could care less. If I notice a kid isn't paying attention and I ask them to answer a question, they don't care. This will be difficult.
The other problem is that I really want consistency between Jhing and myself. I also don't want to step on any toes. Jhing really is super great! I would just really love for us to work together and be on the same page to change the classroom dynamics.
Our principal is great and I think she'll be happy to even come into the classroom to help make some changes. I'm looking forward to seeing what she has to say, but I'm also a little nervous about how this will all play out. Hopefully we get somewhere!
Now, today, I'm wondering why God put me specifically in this classroom. Of the seven foreign volunteer teachers at the school, I feel like at least three or four of them have a better grasp on how a classroom should really be run and would probably be more bold than I am to step up and be authoritative about it, not worrying about offending anyone like I am! But I hold onto the fact that God put me here for a reason. I want what's best for the kids. I want them to know how to behave properly and I want them to have the best learning environment possible. I need prayers for this!
Prayer requests:
- That I can change the world! Just kidding. But I would like God to use me to help change a classroom and for Jhing and I to be on the same page.
- My station in the station rotation is PE. I'm excited about it, but we have very limited supplies and very limited space, so I'll have to get really creative with ideas.
- I've had a little bit of a cold or allergies that is basically gone but I still just have that nagging snotty nose that's getting annoying. Sorry if that's too much information :)
- I think I have a spider bite on my ankle and it's not a big deal at all but my loving mom (I know you'll read this, so thanks... ;)) is making me worried that it's something worse than it probably is. The inside of my ankle is just slightly swollen and bruised looking.
- I've been feeding-site-hopping. I thought I had found one I wanted to go to every week but then I learned there were sites that Teresa led by herself. I think I will consistently help her at one on Thursday but need to decide if I should do more or anything. My time here will fly by so I don't have time to waste! Not that it's super important to figure out anything set in stone (any help at any feeding site is appreciated), but it would be nice for me and would probably help Teresa to know if I will consistently lead the Bible story time/games/singing, etc.
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