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Adventures in Babysitting, err, Teaching. Teaching.
Assorted notes, really. Just fleeting thoughts I felt like sharing with you before I forget. Apologies in advance for the poor writing and disjointed feeling throughout this post.
Yesterday, Rizgar--the regular science teacher--came back to school after a week-plus absence due to some serious back pains and a high fever he'd been experiencing. I normally co-teach his 7th and 8th science classes, but during his absence I had taken all five of his science classes (5th, two 6ths, 7th, and 8th). It was draining. I've always had a lot of respect for teachers, but after this experience, I have so much more respect for what they can do. For the first few days, I wasn't adequately prepared--in terms of lesson plans and such--and hence felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants. I finally got the hang of managing five class periods, and was feeling pretty good about my work, just in time for Rizgar to come back.
The way the kids welcomed him back yesterday nearly brought a tear to my eye. If they treated me like a rock star for my first week at the school, then they treated him like...oh, I dunno...the Pope. They cheered wildly for him, and in the case of the 5th grade class (my favorite class--it's chock-full of the sweetest kids you'd ever meet), they all--boys and girls alike--came up to him and gave him kisses on his cheek, the traditional Kurdish greeting.
It was a relief to hand the reins back over to him, but it was certainly a little bittersweet, as well. I really enjoyed getting to work with the 5th and 6th grade classes, even if for only a week.
Speaking of the 5th graders and the traditional Kurdish greeting, a couple of the kids in that class have begun greeting me that way--it's a sign of endearment when you greet someone (of the same sex...Mr. Rizgar's return was a rare exception) with one or two kisses on each cheek. Though I felt rather awkward the first time one of these guys greeted me like this, I also felt very honored.
Taking on five classes at once--and all by myself--was definitely a bit of trial by fire. After some classes, I felt like I was born to be a teacher, and after other classes, I felt like I should never be allowed to touch a dry-erase marker ever again.
If I had to evaluate myself now, three weeks into this endeavor, I'd say that I'm seriously lacking in the "mad classroom management skillz" department. I can keep the students' attention and can keep things moving along in the class well enough, but don't ask me to discipline the kids. At this point, I'm still too much of a pushover. On the other hand, my main strength is coming up with clever and creative ways for the kids to learn about the concepts. In the past week, I've come up with the following projects:
Speaking of the 8th graders...yeah, I've got what seems to be a couple of not-so-secret admirers in that class. These two girls will do that thing where they whisper quietly to one another while staring at me for a few seconds, and then, as I turn to look at them, start giggling and blushing. I now know enough Kurdish to freak 'em out by asking "Chi ye?" ("What is it?") every once in a while, and I'm threatening to learn more so that I can understand what they're saying.
Oh, and remember what I said about holidays? Yeah, well, we've got another one tomorrow. So I have a three-day weekend which, technically, has officially begun.
Yesterday, Rizgar--the regular science teacher--came back to school after a week-plus absence due to some serious back pains and a high fever he'd been experiencing. I normally co-teach his 7th and 8th science classes, but during his absence I had taken all five of his science classes (5th, two 6ths, 7th, and 8th). It was draining. I've always had a lot of respect for teachers, but after this experience, I have so much more respect for what they can do. For the first few days, I wasn't adequately prepared--in terms of lesson plans and such--and hence felt like I was flying by the seat of my pants. I finally got the hang of managing five class periods, and was feeling pretty good about my work, just in time for Rizgar to come back.
The way the kids welcomed him back yesterday nearly brought a tear to my eye. If they treated me like a rock star for my first week at the school, then they treated him like...oh, I dunno...the Pope. They cheered wildly for him, and in the case of the 5th grade class (my favorite class--it's chock-full of the sweetest kids you'd ever meet), they all--boys and girls alike--came up to him and gave him kisses on his cheek, the traditional Kurdish greeting.
It was a relief to hand the reins back over to him, but it was certainly a little bittersweet, as well. I really enjoyed getting to work with the 5th and 6th grade classes, even if for only a week.
Speaking of the 5th graders and the traditional Kurdish greeting, a couple of the kids in that class have begun greeting me that way--it's a sign of endearment when you greet someone (of the same sex...Mr. Rizgar's return was a rare exception) with one or two kisses on each cheek. Though I felt rather awkward the first time one of these guys greeted me like this, I also felt very honored.
Taking on five classes at once--and all by myself--was definitely a bit of trial by fire. After some classes, I felt like I was born to be a teacher, and after other classes, I felt like I should never be allowed to touch a dry-erase marker ever again.
If I had to evaluate myself now, three weeks into this endeavor, I'd say that I'm seriously lacking in the "mad classroom management skillz" department. I can keep the students' attention and can keep things moving along in the class well enough, but don't ask me to discipline the kids. At this point, I'm still too much of a pushover. On the other hand, my main strength is coming up with clever and creative ways for the kids to learn about the concepts. In the past week, I've come up with the following projects:
- had 6th graders make 3D models of plant/animal cells (some of which turned out really well...maybe a little too well, if you catch my drift);
- held a review session for the 7th graders in which we played "Jeopardy!";
- Had 5th graders build model airplanes for their lessons on thrust, drag, and lift (I also looked into the possibility of taking them on a field trip to the city's airport...you know me, if there's a chance we can get anywhere near an airplane, I'm there. I'm SO there.);
- spontaneously came up with an analogy (a brilliant one, at that) for DNA and RNA that ended up working so well that I used it for extra-credit questions on the 7th graders' test;
- and perhaps, the coup d'grace: to explain genetics, the Punnet square, dominant vs. recessive genes, and why people end up with certain traits, I made up cards, each one with a dominant or recessive trait on it, and gave two to each kid in the 7th grade class. We first discussed who got what (some kids were genuinely excited to get the big "T," referring to the dominant height gene, whereas others were saddened to get the big "C," referring to the dominant trait of a cleft in one's chin...and of course, they all had a good laugh at my chin). Then, I told them to pair up--time to show the kids how parents each pass on one of their genes to their children. Two of the loudest boys in the classroom immediately and loudly notified the entire class that they would be partners. The timing couldn't have been better: I then explained that they would be using their genes cards to create a new baby together, and the class must've erupted in laughter for a good 30 seconds. We had a lot of fun with that one!
Speaking of the 8th graders...yeah, I've got what seems to be a couple of not-so-secret admirers in that class. These two girls will do that thing where they whisper quietly to one another while staring at me for a few seconds, and then, as I turn to look at them, start giggling and blushing. I now know enough Kurdish to freak 'em out by asking "Chi ye?" ("What is it?") every once in a while, and I'm threatening to learn more so that I can understand what they're saying.
Oh, and remember what I said about holidays? Yeah, well, we've got another one tomorrow. So I have a three-day weekend which, technically, has officially begun.