Is being able to make kids cry a good or bad thing? It's generally not something I strive to do, but in this instance, I didn't feel too terribly bad. I made one kid from each group get up today and share a current event they had recorded. The point was not to share the current event, but to practice speaking in front of a group without giggling, shrieking, contorting one's body, facing backwards, having someone else read it for you, crack up, burst into tears, etc. The first kid flat out refused. When I could tell she was so petrified that she was just about to cry, I let up and said I'd come back to her. Just about that time, another kid says, "Hey, are you crying??" Not helpful. That comment actually did bring on the tears (technically not my fault). Then, after several other kids had gone, the next kid got up and couldn't get a single word to come out of his mouth. After quite a while, and lots of giggling, he managed to get out one sentence (as compared to the required three) while standing next to me, and then sprinting for his seat. He was the last one to go, and then I asked if there were any volunteers that wanted to share their current events. To encourage this, I said, "See look, no one actually died of embarrassment!" At which point, the last kid that had gone, said, "No, but I was scared--to--death!!" No actual tears, but still. Poor things. Would this make me a good or bad teacher? :-)
2 comments:
It is so refreshing to see that you worry about if you are a good teacher yet. I look up to you as someone who has 'made it'. Even though I know that it doesn't work that way, and that if I ever feel like I have 'made it' I had better find another line of work. That being said. I look up to you so much and you have helped mold me into the teacher I am, more than you know. My first year I found myself getting angry at the kids... and I would think of 'what would she do?' You walk with such calm and peace in your soul and I strive for that in my life. I still get frustrated in teaching and in life and I still think often of your calm, and how you would handle the situation. You've taught me that in the giant scheme of things, it's not worth getting upset because the teller at Target screwed up, or the dog jumped up on my white pants just as I'm about to leave for the day. I am much more able to just sigh, chuckle, and nod my head in respect. I continue my journey for peace in my soul, as I have been through several difficult things. You are such a help, motivation, and role model and all my kids at school are better for it. Thank you for being you, and thank you for wanting to be a part of my life, and thank you for being such a good friend. Love!!!!! (O: Okay, the sappyness is over...
Thank you!! That is so sweet of you :-) You're right, this blog is definitely a reminder that I have a long way to go :-)
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