Week 1- Complete!
Words to describe it:
Shocking
Tiring
Yet I always look
forward for the next day that I'll see them again.
We had been
assigned in a public elementary school in Quezon City. It will be a 12-day
Summer Class for all incoming grade three kids.
First Day
Looking back when
I was in grade three I was already turning 9 years old. However, these incoming
kids are more or less 7 years old. With the K-12 new curriculum a lot of
changes are happening. I haven’t really had the time to go through the new curriculum.
I promised myself that I will do that. Soon is soon. Going back to my kids,
yes, they are my kids now. First day was merely an introduction of three of us.
We are working as a triad- one teacher for each subject- English, Math and
Science.
Asked what they
want to be when they grow up, they have ready answers-- teacher, doctor,
seaman, police, and soldier. Makes me want to think what did I say when I was
their age.
We had 12 kids on
our class on our first day.
We were expecting
60, coz the real deal is with 60 kids!
Second Day
Come second
day-our very first academic teaching day.
Words to describe
it: A milestone.
Best words for the
day: Ang sarap mag-aral!
That was uttered
by one of my kids as my Science class had ended.
I never had any
experience with teaching elementary kids. My educational background was that
for Secondary Education major in Physics. My work experience was with Finance
for a US company that had an offshore office here in the Philippines. Deciding
to take this career path was done overnight for me. I just knew that I was
making the right decision and there is no turning back. So, please remind me again
if I am doing the right thing for all I know is that I love to be with kids. As
for them, learning from me, is another thing I am working on.
I guess, I had
made a good start. I want to pat myself on the back. Good job, Kat. One thing I
brought with me from my customer service experience--Acknowledge them right
away.
Hearing one of my
kids, say "Ang sarap mag-aral" was something I would always look back
especially when I am at my down moments. Keeping them motivated is something I
have to work on. They have very short span of time.
Third day
It was 7:30AM.
My kids were
already lined up outside the classroom. Almost all of them. They were all eager
to see us three and they were all smiling. With kids, it's all about classroom
management. Almost half of the class hour is consumed sa "pagsasaway"
with SUPER-kulit kids. Im still learning to develop my "teacher look"
just so that I wont tire myself shouting and screaming to the kids.. hahaha.. I
dont scream and shout, oh well, not yet and I hope, I wont have the opportunity
to do it.
We talked about
the Scientific Investigation Method. It was a bit hard to let them speak their
minds, the art of questioning is yet to be mastered to be leveled to their
thinking-- they are a bit shy, and we noticed that they are struggling with
reading and even writing. What I like about them is that their eagerness to
learn. They love to sing, listen to stories and tell share what they did the
other day. At 7 years old, they are behind, in terms of literacy-- reading and
writing-- I was a bit disappointed at first, and then I remember the reason I
was there. This had been the disease we ambitiously wanted to cure.
I just keep
reminding myself-- Dream big, start small.
Fourth Day
One of my kids
lost her money. Six pesos to be exact. For a few seconds, I got lost and
dont know what to do. My class starts after their recess, five minutes before
the start, I had reminded them to keep their things and just leave their
pencils on top of their desks. Asking who took the money will never work,
searching their bags will take so much effort and time. I just reiterated on
the value of following instructions and keeping their belongings at their own
risk.
Fifth Day
The kid who lost
her money didn’t come to school today. I honestly feel bad about it. I felt
that I haven’t been a good teacher. I lost her trust. She thought that my class
was not a secured place anymore. If only I didt something more than reminding
them to keep their personal things, maybe she would have come back. If only I
did little more search, probably she would know that I care. But I do care, I
just dont know how would I do and show it.
Sixth day
The day went
pretty well. I have a hoarse voice, feverish feeling. I just dont wanna get up
from bed. But then I have to. It is a Saturday and my kids will be at school.
Though I had anticipated a small number of them coming, I know they will still
be there. Our class had a big turn out again, 11 of them. And since I am
"malat" I decided to just gathered them around for a
storytelling activity. I got a big book from the library- A Thirsty Sparrow and
Nang Magkakulay Ang Nayon. The best line for the day-- "Teacher, para kang
yung nagkukwento sa TV!" These kids really know how to make
"bola" to the teacher. Lol. That compliment really made my day. All
the body pains I am experiencing that day totally went away. And makes me want
to tell them another story!
The dilemma comes
on how I can do this thing with a group of 60 kids! Anyway, let me handle that
when that day comes, for now, heck, it's Saturday! Kuya will arrive from UAE
tomorrow and I also need rest and obviously, I miss my family!
It had been a
hectic week, yet, I wanna come back. The next week, will be another great
challenge. Another week of collecting stories from the little kiddoes.
I love kiddoes :) sometimes sa kanila din tayo natututo eh. sa mga storya ng buhay nila
ReplyDeleteYep. They tell a lot of stories. And yung mga mata nila, nangungusap. Hehe..
Deleteang cu-cute ng mga pambobola nila sa yo. bumalik ba yung kid na nawala ng six pesos?
ReplyDeleteYuh. At mukhang pinaguusapan nila kung sinong magsasalita. Ibaibang bagets kumokomment. Lols. Pag sila nambobola, buong puso kong tinatanggap. Haha
DeleteHindi na sya bumalik :( im actually disappointed of my actions. And every day, i hope pumasok sya before summer class ends.
Aww a very productive week indeed!
ReplyDeletethe good thing about kids bola is they come from the heart!
Ayun na nga eh... hehe... kaya nga more pabola lang ako sa mga kiddielets.
Deletehaha naku naguilty naman ako kasi ako wla kong chaga sa bata haha
ReplyDeletepero ayun nakakatawag pagmasdan ung curiosity nila na maiisip mo na lang ganto din kaya ko dati haha
hahaha.. sinabi mo pa, im still working on my classroom management.. wala pa ko boses til now.. what more for the next 10 months..hay...
DeleteHilg mo ang pagtuturo? Masarap makipagkulitan sa mga kiddoes kailangan lang ng mahabang pasensya talga. I'm so proud of you. Ipagpatuloy mo yan. Bagong buhay ah :)
ReplyDeleteyep. bagong buhay :D im starting to love it..pinili ko to eh.. and every kid has a story..
DeleteGaling. Thumbs up ako. Wala ko tiyaga sa mga kiddos. Pang matatanda lang ko:)
ReplyDeletehahahaha.. baliktad tayo mami joy, my patience is reserved for kiddoes...hihihihi
Deleteexciting ang bagong career path! Good jab!!
ReplyDeleteFulfilling yong makarinig ka ng "Ang Sarap Mag-aral"
Sinabi mo pa kuya mar! sobrang fulfilling....
DeleteBilib talaga ako sa mga teachers. I was a college instructor before, it was not easy. How much more teaching kids?
ReplyDelete:)
hahahaha... it takes awhile to get used to... im still working on it... its gonna be one tough journey for me :D and i ought to document it as much as i can para may mabalikan ako pagkatapos ng lahat.
DeleteTeacher Kat, ang galing mo!
ReplyDeleteFor sure, sobrang na-touch ang puso mo sa mga sinasabi ng mga kids.
sobra! I always look forward to the day that makikita kong natuto silang lahat.
DeleteAng galing galing naman ni Ma'm Kat! sana bata na lng din ako at ikaw ang teacher ko hehe :))
ReplyDeleteWaaaaaa..... go! attend my class... haha
DeleteReading your post led me to travel again my teaching experience in Grade School years back.
ReplyDeleteIt's fulfilling especially if the students are eager to see you the next day for a topic you've promised to deliver.
Plus, the bonus part is when you're being liked by their parents by giving you accolades and compliments for a job well done to their son/daughter in teaching them at school.
Those memories are priceless. Kaya nasabi ko talaga noon na teaching is indeed a noble profession minus the salary issue.
You're on the right track of your purpose in life Kat - that is to inspire others through learning.