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| Two students wrestling : A common sight upon entering the classroom |
Recently I wrote 'A Day at the Zoo' about my experiences with a 1st grade class and I feel that an update is due. A lot has changed in the past 12 weeks, they no longer occupy my nightmares, they have climbed down off of their desks and the strangest thing of all, is that they have actually started to listen. Fear not their energy levels are still functioning at a premium level and they are still dancing.
It is funny that this lifestyle, like travelling, throws up challenges and often it is the overcoming of the most difficult challenges that provides the biggest reward.12 weeks ago I was surrounded by chaos and I can remember wondering if I would ever get these guys in their seats let alone have them remain there for any durable period of time.
This is what I am talking about...
With the class being made up of 18 extremely active and stereotypical boys, I should have known that 'Halloween' would have captured their hearts and minds. I wouldn't have thought though, that I could use 'Ghosts, Skeletons and Vampires' to get them seated and completing worksheets and taking tests.
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| By far my most energetic student sitting and hard at work. |
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| In fact nowadays they all are. |
Despite the odds seeming like they were stacked against me, what I did have on my side was the fact that 22 years ago I would have been right up there on the desk with them. It feels strange to have come full circle and now know how frustrating I would have been for any teacher trying to help me learn.
So seeing them hard at work the other day, made me realise why we teach and what the reward is.
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| after the first few times, wasn't sure I would ever see this type of focus. |
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| Or that they would be thinking this hard. |
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