If there is one word that I can use to describe my first time high school teaching experience, that would be ‘haaay…’ I have been told that among the high school students in my school, the sophomores are the most difficult to handle. In fact, at the moment, the parents of these sophomores have already entered the picture- bringing out their concerns about the surmounting behavioral concerns of these students. To add to this, the head teachers of the high school department are now conducting a research to determine the cause, and consequently the solution to this problem. I do not know why among the four levels, I chose to do my practicum here. Prior to my first classroom visit, I was so confident that I could handle it. I keep telling myself that I am a good and experienced teacher. I have had various experiences reporting to older and matured people-my classmates in MA and my co-teachers. Dealing with older children won’t be a problem for me. But I guess, I cannot really and completely meet all my expectations. I prepared well, slept late for a week just to finish my powerpoint presentation and materials. I was to discuss three body systems- Integumentary, Skeletal and Muscular System in 2 and a half hours. Upon entering the class, I already felt something wrong. The students were engaged in small chats and jokes. It was so hard to gain their attention. And finally, when I did, It had been difficult for me to maintain it. That is why I could not help calling their attention every now and then. To think that there were only a few (maybe four students) who were disruptive in class. Somehow these four children were capable of infecting the whole class…
Then I remembered the three C’s that had allowed me to survive as a teacher- calm, composure, and cool. Then I relaxed and went along with them. I modified my lesson right there on the spot, and injected more questions that kept most of them attentive. I also included a game which the students found interesting. By the time I checked my watch, It was already time.
Somehow, I believe that I was able to teach them something substantial. This was evident in their outputs during the drill. I was able to achieve the objectives. I believe that in time, I can also contribute to modifying their behavior. Beyond the limitations of my lessons, I enjoyed being in their classroom. It was a nice, great, and oh so different experience. I am looking forward to meeting them again tomorrow… Even though I would rather have them do something more meaningful on Tuesday, their curriculum entails that I give them a lecture. So I guess, I will be allotting a few minutes for lecture, then proceed to my Tuesday lesson about the Digestive System. Well, I am set to experiment and determine what teaching model would best apply to them…
anyway,...