Friday, March 2, 2018

Random thoughts: A lesson for myself as much as for my pupils

Was feeling rather down after I knew my pupils' results. I have braced myself not to focus on results and instead of results. Easier said than done.

I do feel that the kids are learning, but ironically they still doing badly at the assessment.

I am quite surprised how affected I was, I was like drained of energy, just felt like sleeping my way through.

I am not sure how to break the news to them, I knew some of them have tried really hard. When we stay back late, and was doing a timed practice, I remember them pulling the chair away and kneeling down and then standing up to write so as not to fall asleep. I knew I have also tried hard, staying up late in the weekend to rush out customized worksheets for them.

I was very disappointed, and I am sure some of them feel the same. Of course, there are others who dun give a hoot too, and I wondered if I am too silly.

Nonetheless, I remember a lesson I did for my FTGP lesson. So I ask my kids to transfer water from a pail to another using spoon. It was a slow and painful process. Some kids enjoy it. Some started to get restless after a while and tried to take shortcuts etc. Some have their shoes wet and was a bit annoyed.

After the activity, I told them learning for exam can be like filling a bucket with water using a spoon. U tried very hard, but it seem futile. They couldn't even fill half of the bucket, and I told them sadly, none of them reach the halfway mark of passing.

We shall continue to do it, because after a while, when we have enough water over the other side, we will have enough strength to lift the big container of water and simply pour it over. It is called inflection point.

I told them I share their pain, because I was very disappointed with the results too. When I was saying this, I felt tears swelling but I quickly composed myself. I quick look around and I saw a few with red eyes and others with a sombre look. With this playful class, this is the rare few things I felt this sombre atmosphere and the connection.

I use this also as a opportunity and pointed out that as with most  human, when we dun see results, we get frustrated and sometime resort to short cuts.

We also need a bigger cup instead of a spoon. And hence u explained despite the efforts put in, we might need to do more. I think this is one of the rare time I don't get a protest asking pupils to do more work.

After the session, the lesson going through the papers is so much easy as most pupils focused on the lesson. And I felt much better finally able to get my feelings off my chest.

A lesson that is for myself as much as for my pupils

20 comments:

  1. thank you for your sharing. I almost teared reading this post, really touched by a teacher whose heart is for the pupils and share the pupils' pain. Jia you! :)
    KW

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. HahahhahahaH and I thought I am the emo one

      Delete
    2. I emo too... We same people. I like listen to your stories with your pupils. So interesting.

      Delete
    3. If teachers not emo, maybe should be be teachers ...

      It's a job for the heart ma. Think the 2 super teachers also emo lol

      Delete
    4. VICTIM OF SCAMS BUT NOW A VICTOR THROUGH JOSH LOANS FINANCIAL SERVICE joshloancompany@gmail.com OR +1(215)-874-8060

      Helen Truong is my name from 1731 Hilltop Haven Drive, Red Bank, NJ 07701 USA. It lifts my heart to actually use this medium to save innocent people who would have fallen into the wrong hands in quest to obtain an online loan. With all humility I want to personally warn all online loan seekers to be very careful while trying to get a loan, because it is no news that scammers are rampant everywhere all over the internet claiming to offer loan. I was a victim before now and I solemnly hope that you are a victor if you care to take my word of advise. Few months ago I was financially strained, and due to my desperation I was scammed by several online lenders. All hope was nearly lost until a co-employee suggested 'JOSH LOANS FINANCIAL SERVICE' an online reliable and trustworthy lender for me, as I was almost at the edge of taking my life considering a loss of about $83,000; As God would have it, I applied for a loan from 'Josh Loans Financial Service' under Cynthia's (co-employee) recommendation and WOW in less than 72 working hours I got a credit alert confirming that my account has been credited with the loan fund of $220,000.00 which i originally requested. If after loosing much God has shown me light with the help of 'JOSH LOANS FINANCIAL SERVICE', you too without doubt can as well obtain a loan from this reputable lending institution. IN ALL, if you, your relation or any closed person desperately need a loan, DO CONTACT or help that soul to communicate with JOSH LOANS FINANCIAL SERVICE via email on joshloancompany@gmail.com OR text/call them on +1(215)-874-8060

      Delete
    5. VICTIM OF SCAMS BUT NOW A VICTOR THROUGH JOSH LOANS FINANCIAL SERVICE joshloancompany@gmail.com OR +1(215)-874-8060

      Helen Truong is my name from 1731 Hilltop Haven Drive, Red Bank, NJ 07701 USA. It lifts my heart to actually use this medium to save innocent people who would have fallen into the wrong hands in quest to obtain an online loan. With all humility I want to personally warn all online loan seekers to be very careful while trying to get a loan, because it is no news that scammers are rampant everywhere all over the internet claiming to offer loan. I was a victim before now and I solemnly hope that you are a victor if you care to take my word of advise. Few months ago I was financially strained, and due to my desperation I was scammed by several online lenders. All hope was nearly lost until a co-employee suggested 'JOSH LOANS FINANCIAL SERVICE' an online reliable and trustworthy lender for me, as I was almost at the edge of taking my life considering a loss of about $83,000; As God would have it, I applied for a loan from 'Josh Loans Financial Service' under Cynthia's (co-employee) recommendation and WOW in less than 72 working hours I got a credit alert confirming that my account has been credited with the loan fund of $220,000.00 which i originally requested. If after loosing much God has shown me light with the help of 'JOSH LOANS FINANCIAL SERVICE', you too without doubt can as well obtain a loan from this reputable lending institution. IN ALL, if you, your relation or any closed person desperately need a loan, DO CONTACT or help that soul to communicate with JOSH LOANS FINANCIAL SERVICE via email on joshloancompany@gmail.com OR text/call them on +1(215)-874-8060

      Delete
    6. DO NOT KEEP YOUR FINANCIAL BURDEN TO YOURSELF CONTACT US NOW FOR ANY KIND OF LOAN AT A LOW INTEREST OF 2%.( prosperloanfirm@yahoo.com )

      Our loans are well insured for maximum security is our priority, Our leading goal is to help you get the service you deserve, Our Loan program is the quickest. We give out loan in any currency of your choice {Us Dollar, pounds, Euro, Dinar, etc} and duration of 1 to 60 years to pay back the loan (secure and unsecured).

      Do you need any kind of loan and have low credit score, Have you find it difficult to get loans
      from local banks and other financial institutions? solution to your financial problem is PROSPER LOAN FIRM. The terms and conditions are very reasonable and considerate.

      We offer a wide range of financial services which includes: Xmas Loans, Business Loans, Debt Consolidation Loans, Personal Loans, Car loans, Hotel loans, Student loans, Home Refinancing Loans with low interest rate @2% per annul for individuals, companies and corporate bodies.

      Interested applicants should Contact us via email: prosperloanfirm@yahoo.com OR call/text +1(816) 366-8769 . Apply and be free from financial bondage.====================

      Delete
  2. Hi SI,

    I guess there's a lot more to learn from a disappointing results after a lot of hard work had been put in, rather than a set of good results. It's good that you spent some time to reflect with your kids. Good teacher :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Actually, LP,

    I know what you are gently poking. U know what, the start line is just too far behind. All the vocabularies they are supposed to learn, they remember. For the notes they wrote on the question paper, they even remember the meaning, but they still can't answer.

    Because sight words that are supposed to be learned by P4 are unknown to them.

    The water is vocabulary. I wonder when will inflection point come.

    Without the vocab base, all comprehension and composition techniques amount to nothing

    Like what the super teacher in my school says, 走一步是一步。

    Just keep ploughing and revising and hope enough is gain

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi SI,

    An open question: do we want to teach the subjects or teach children, because the journey might be a very different? I heard first hand from students who are so scarred by their chinese teacher that they swore off chinese for the rest of their lives. They might end up with an A, but what of it? It's a pyrrhic victory.

    I hope that will never happen to my students. It'll be sad.

    This conflict is more stark for my case, because in a way, I'm paid to ensure the grades are good. If I didn't do that, I'm likely to be fired. It's just something that I will have to navigate and balance haha

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hahahaha,

    I have found a way to resolve that dilemna somewhat..

    I drill to thrill. But might be running out of ideas. I create flash cards for them to help them remember vocab, and I bought a nerf gun to class. Once they say they are ready for the chapter, I will pick 6 cards. If they know all, u shoot myself. If the miss all but 1 I will put in 1 bullet and do a Russian roulette with the gun.

    They are rushing to be tested. Playing with girls are no fun, I always end up shooting myself...

    I let myself be the clown sometimes. The good thing about the weak class is I can tell everyone appreciate it and had some fun ...

    My the other better bigger class, some.give me the you very bo.liao face. Lol

    ReplyDelete
  6. Haha, can't please everyone :) the point is that you also enjoyed yourself :) haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Any ideas ???

      I dun know how to drill with a lot of fun anymore .Lol

      Delete
    2. Sillyinvestor,

      Permission to use the comments you and LP are having above for my next blog post?

      This thing about teaching for subject or children I have a lot to say from my perspective too!

      I enjoyed the history lessons; I got F9.

      I learned a lot in my Buddhism course; I dropped out after 1 year.




      Delete
    3. Sure, 1 drink as copyright license fees

      Delete
  7. EDWARD JONES FINANCE IS THE BEST PLACE TO GET A LOAN {Jonesloanfinance@yahoo.com},
    God bless you sir, I will not stop telling the world about your kindness in my life, I am a single mum with kids to look after. My name is Emily Thomas and I am from Convention Center Drive, Miami Beach, FL . A couple of weeks ago My friend visited me and along our discussion she told me about EDWARD JONES FINANCE, that they can help me out of my financial situation, I never believed cause I have spend so much money on different loan lenders who did nothing other than running away with my money. I have been in a financial mess for the pass 7 months now, She advised I give it a try so I mailed him and explain all about my financial situation to him, he therefore took me through the loan process and gave me a loan of $390,000.00 at a very low interest rate of 2% and today I am a proud business owner and can now take good care of my kids, If you must contact any firm to get any amount of loan you need with a low interest rate of 2% and better repayment schedule, please contact EDWARD JONES FINANCE email:- {Jonesloanfinance@yahoo.com} OR Text +1(307) 217-5388

    ....

    ReplyDelete
  8. DO NOT KEEP YOUR FINANCIAL BURDEN TO YOURSELF CONTACT US NOW FOR ANY KIND OF LOAN AT A LOW INTEREST OF 2%.( prosperloanfirm@yahoo.com )

    Our loans are well insured for maximum security is our priority, Our leading goal is to help you get the service you deserve, Our Loan program is the quickest. We give out loan in any currency of your choice {Us Dollar, pounds, Euro, Dinar, etc} and duration of 1 to 60 years to pay back the loan (secure and unsecured).

    Do you need any kind of loan and have low credit score, Have you find it difficult to get loans
    from local banks and other financial institutions? solution to your financial problem is PROSPER LOAN FIRM. The terms and conditions are very reasonable and considerate.

    We offer a wide range of financial services which includes: Xmas Loans, Business Loans, Debt Consolidation Loans, Personal Loans, Car loans, Hotel loans, Student loans, Home Refinancing Loans with low interest rate @2% per annul for individuals, companies and corporate bodies.

    Interested applicants should Contact us via email: prosperloanfirm@yahoo.com OR call/text +1(816) 366-8769 . Apply and be free from financial bondage.-=P]

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hello! I am a binary options broker / professional trading specialist, I coach / mentor who wants Internet entrepreneurs to create a stable and stable source of passive income through online trading. I want to know if you know about binary options trading? Get in touch with aulakhkrupinder@gmail.com to learn / learn more about how to trade binary options, how it works, its benefits and how to get started. Trading binary options is not just about making money, but about making consistent profits. I made a lot of losses compared to my profits. I tried everything I could not get the same results until I got to know Gobind S. Gill's strategy that works wonders. I can be proud of having consistent profits across all my industries. You can contact him for guidance on https://wa.me/%2B17042750147

    ReplyDelete

  10. Hi everyone. I saw comments from people who already got their loan from challot and then I decided to apply under their recommendations and just few hours ago I confirmed in my own personal bank account a total amount of $30,000 which I requested for. This is really a great news and I am advising everyone who needs real loan to apply through their email (challotloan@gmail.com) I am happy now that i have gotten the loan I requested

    ReplyDelete