“If this day has taught me anything, it’s that I’m cut out for this teaching thing” – Me
I never thought that I could compare my Grade 7 students and a Grade 2 class and see so many similar behaviours from one to the next, but then I remember a lesson I’ve learned and keep relearning time and time again – age does not always equal behavioural change. This can be applied across a lifespan. For example, when you have a child, it doesn’t mean you suddenly become this picturesque model of adulthood. No, you will still throw your temper tantrums, and have your giddy moments of childishness. But that’s talking about decades from one age to another. In an instance that is literally only a 5 year difference, I don’t know why I thought it would be so different.
Sure, my Grade 7s are able (for the most part) to partake in independent studies, where I don’t have to circulate as much and can trust that they will get their work done… eventually if not in that exact moment. And there’s a level of camaraderie that you can have with intermediate students that can’t always be there for the primary grades (at least, that’s how it seems), where you can use sarcasm and they will recognize it as sarcasm and not a gospel truth. Of course, if you take into consideration the social aspects of their lives, there will be vast differences, but in the classroom behaviour and management? Well, as the quote above alludes, it’s not a huge difference.
Things I learned on my TOC day:
- Be prepared to have a group of 7 and 8 year olds call you out on things – Memorize their division number, or risk offending them all.
- Don’t call them ladies and gentlemen because they, and I quote, are ‘just boys and girls, not old’.
- Focus on timing. They take longer to do tasks than older students because this is likely something new(ish) to them.
- They are all very willing to help, but only some of them will actually do the work that they’ve volunteered to help with – not that this changes with age.
- I honestly feel like teaching is what I am meant to do.
As always Vicki, your posts are so full of your voice that I can’t help but hear you and laugh. I love that you realize you are ‘cut out for this’ – that’ll make our meeting so much easier tomorrow as I reinforce the thought!
A little reminder (just because as an FA I must!): Sarcasm is the lowest form of humour and one to be used sparingly (if at all) with students. I know you recognize the balance Vicki – I’ve seen it – and know that sarcasm shouldn’t be individually ‘directed’ or in any way hurtful, mean or ambiguous! For young children, this is one way they are VERY different. Young children do not understand sarcasm. It can and does hurt (even if they appear ‘with it’ they just haven’t developed the ‘thick skin’ or adult-type understanding about motive).