It’s been a while…
I think I need to write in here more!! Just have about 20 minutes until my next class, so figured I would write a few updates.
Well, I bought a scooter yesterday and hope to get some more lessons from a fellow scooter driver before I take it out on my own. I did drive it yesterday, but had a friend guiding me while sitting on the back. It was so much fun, but I definitely am going to be extra safe being that my last memories of driving consisted of me and Micah nearly dying….haha, well maybe not, but that is the closest I have come.
I have this class from 11:00-11:40 that is like the class from hell…they aren’t worthy of my web blog pictures and you will not see that class up here unless it is of me strangling them…haha…jk, I will try not to beat the crap out of them, ok Grandma? Really, they are driving me crazy. A lot of other classes are great, but the problem with this one is that mainly it is too big. When they are so little it is difficult to keep their attention no matter what I do. The woman who observed me suggested putting “stars” by the “good kids” names. Give me a break. They don’t give a damn about stars! The asian teachers also do a lot of “counting” here….”one…two…three.” They can get 100 and never accomplish anything. One thing that I have seen though is that they do hit the kids…not hard, but just enough to get them to cry and be scared. Now that works, I don’t do it, because I somehow think I’m not supposed to, but when they do it, that is fine. Well anyway, I got observed again today and the class was noisy as usual, so the lady said, “We’ll talk about some ways to keep them quiet so you don’t have to yell so much, because you will lose your voice.” No shit sherlock. Sorry guys, but it has been kind of frustrating with a couple of classes. But the good ones make up for the bad ones. I will tell you that the main reason for this difficult class is that it is TOO BIG!! The school is trying to save money (as I remember them doing this in America also) and they put too many kids in one class, so the result is that no one learns because Tommy won’t shut up no matter what I do. I’d like to buy a sports horn and just freak them out and cause a near deaf experience. lol. Ok, I’m really joking, sort of. I’m just in a venting mood I guess. But on the other hand, to be fair, I do have quite a few wonderful classes that I enjoy teaching! It is refreshing to see young children who genuinely desire to learn more.
Well, I’d better get back to work now, have to prepare some props for my next class. I’m reading them a story about Monsters.
Sheilah said,
September 4, 2007 at 1:36 pm
Now, now Ashley!! I can just feel your frustration! I am sympathizing with you, believe me! It sounds like you have a whole classroom full of the type of kid we all knew and loved a few years back………won’t mention any names, ha ha!! So if you have dealt with a bratty kid before, you can say you’re experienced! Yes, don’t yell and lose your voice for them. I love the idea of a bullhorn…..or whatever they’re called. I’d send one in the next pkg, but don’t think the school would like that too much! That’ll shut ‘em up! Well, I’m glad to hear that you do have some other classes that make it worthwhile or rewarding. Think about that movie, Freedom Writers, and how she must’ve been frustrated, but found a way to get through to them………there’s the challenge! Are they competetive? Then play a game that’ll expend their energy, but keep their attention? Can you separate the rowdy kids from the good kids and have them doing different things? That stars and counting crap is for the birds…….ha ha!
I will be praying for you and hope things get better. How old is that rotten class?
Love, Mom
Grandma P said,
September 4, 2007 at 2:37 pm
So happy my computer will cooperate this AM. Had a nice visit with your family over the weekend. I suppose you must experience contrary experience to appreciate the good ones. The point where you are at your wits end is where the Lord LOVES to step in and show his power and ability to do the impossible. I shall pray for creative solutions. Your reading the story about Monsters sounds like an opportunity to engage and display your acting skills. That would really get their attention. I’ll always remember a high school English teacher reading MacBeth and walking around dramatically in a circle reading Lady Macbeth’s lines. Though the kids laughed, the memory remains. I know you can do some interesting things with Monsters. What about Kasimoto? from the hunchback of Notre Dame? or Edward Scissorhands?
Love, Grandma
sgtmajh said,
September 4, 2007 at 4:12 pm
hey Ash, Keep the faith, you will be fine. Kids have that ability to frustrate you without trying. You will be just fine, just don’t lose your temper. God knows that is easy enough to do anyway. We love and miss you and PLEASE BE CAREFUL with your scooter. Don’t let anyone use that to get too close to you either. I will email you about that.
Love you,
Dad
Dori & Yoel said,
September 7, 2007 at 2:12 pm
hi brookie!!! wow—i sense a little…wait alot of frustration!!! how old is that class? sounds like a very young class…maybe 5-6-7 years old? if they are, there attention span is very little….yeah i agree with you and your mom…the “star” thing is for the birds…i know at the daycare you can’t keep the kids doing a project or at a station that long or you will lose their attention…girl, the counting bit…1-2-3…not for me, they better listen on 1 or they will go to the corner. i have one girl who is so used to waiting for her mom to count to 10 and beyond when she calls her or asks her to do something….i have been working with her for a while and she’s getting it, slowly, but surely. when we do “circle time”…it has to be sweet and short before going to the next thing…its sucks but i don’t lose them. when they play, i will have a few things out and divide the kids in groups…after about 10 minutes, i’ll switch them…the kids who were reading will switch over to blocks…those playing with blocks will go to the drawing station, etc…. …..girl until nap time!!!!! yes!!!!!! don’t lose your voice over them…because they will continue to “get out of control” even after you lose your voice. when you work with children, there will always be some kind of rowdy-ness, screaming, yelling, some crying….all part of a days work. i will continue to pray for you, don’t lose you cool…children see and sense when a person is upset and then they do it more just to annoy you. you can do it!!!! one thing that works for me…pray before starting the class. …the power of prayer!!!! love you girl!!! take care, dorika and yoel
ps…scooter!!!!!??? send us pics!!! please be so careful!!!!!!