FTW means for the win for those that didn't know. This post is about collaboration which is a vital part of teaching and working. Last week we were supposed to put together midterms for our classes. What teachers do is if they teach the same class they share a test. In my case my colleague and friend Victor teaches the same class I do, grade two C/L. Victor had missed 3 days of work without any notification to anybody. When he came back he was on thin ice but poor Victor looked like a zombie! It turns out that he hasn't been sleeping well, he's had a bout of insomnia. I go up to him and I tell him that you need to have a midterm ready on Monday (it was Friday). He is drifting off and I go "okay you and I can make one for both of our classes because you look like you're drifting off." At lunch we sat down and I took charge and we made the test together and this was an instance of awesome friendship and collaboration in my opinion. I've been hanging out with Victor a bit since I've started working here he's a very nice guy and he's been on TV! He played a small part on a few episodes of Malcom in the Middle and he was in a scene in The Social Network. I haven't seen The Social Network but I knew who he was when I met him. That's my story of epic collaboration and I felt pretty good about doing that whole thing.
Till next time.
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
The problem class, challenges and solutions
I've talked a few times about THAT class in my posts. I've said that they are overwhelming and I am not particularly fond of teaching them. So what makes THAT class so bad? One, there are 28 students, the sheer number of students in THAT class is overwhelming as it is. Two, THEY NEVER STOP TALKING! They do not understand the concept of don't talk while other people are talking. I know they're young, I don't expect them to do it while other students are talking/sharing but at least while I'm talking! Three, mimicry, in almost all of my classes, some of the students like to mimic me. In my grade one classes and my am grade two class it's cute. In THAT class it is annoying and it seems a bit mean spirited. You may know that I don't take to teasing very well (this is because I don't know how to react to it), and I don't want to get angry at a bunch of little kids (some of them aren't so little). Four, The Dynamic Duo of my Eternal Headaches, due to confidentiality, that is what I will call them. These two are the little hellraisers that always start up the commotion in the class. Whenever I'm targeting an individual, it's always one of them. The enigmatic thing about this class is that they're smart! Who would've guessed? When they're actually quiet and answering my questions, they know it! Even The Dynamic Duo of my Eternal Headaches are very smart! With all these problems, how did I figure out what to do? That is an adventure in teaching that I will explain now.
Speaking from a teacher's standpoint and not a student's, I finally understand why class size is an issue. I teach 4 grade one classes and 2 grade 2 classes. I have a total of 67 grade one students with about 20 in each of my morning classes and approximately 15 (or less) in my afternoon classes. It's very even and I have no complaints there. I have 42 grade 2 students with about 14 in my morning class and 28 in the afternoon class. The first day that I walked into that class the first thing I said was "there's too many of you! Move your desks!" The reason I did this was one, so I could possible maneuver around the tiny room and two it reminded me of a class in high school. My 12th grade English class was enormous in the beginning of the year (at least it seemed that way). I believe there were 37 students on the list and there were 40 some odd desks in the room. The original teacher had the desks in rows so we were crammed in there like sardines. It did make the class seem huge. When the new teacher took over the first thing he said was "I'm moving desks". At this point about 15 students were in different classes. He had enough desks in the classroom for all of us and we were in table groups that were spaced apart. It made the class seem less big. I tried this strategy for myself and it worked to no avail. Then I was faced with the 4 problems that made that class THAT class.
Solution 1: These problems don't exist. I attempted to carry on my class like I normally would with my bubbly personality that is funny and educational. I was only shot down by all the yelling, and The Dynamic Duo of my Eternal Headaches. Throw that out the window.
Solution 2: YELL! This is how I learned not to underestimate my own voice. I am able to talk over 28 yelling, screaming kids. This worked to an extent. I would have to countdown from 5 every 2 minutes but at least they would be quiet for a couple of seconds. :/ That little symbol is the equivalent of *sigh*.
Note: Doing this completely drained my voice for my last class.
Solution 3: THE DEATH STARE! I talked about the death stare in great detail earlier but sadly it's lost its effectiveness. I have to stare at a kid for a long time in order for it to work. I still use it so it has some degree of effectiveness.
Solution 4: Put the fear of lines into their hearts. Score one for collaboration on this one. This is the strategy that is working splendidly. The form of punishment here is to make kids write lines. You take them to the office after class and they write lines for whatever period of time you want or however many lines you want. It is effective because they lose their break and that's rough considering that some kids are here from 8 to 5. This was suggested by one of my colleagues Teacher Mike. Thank you so much!
Solution 5: This is my mad face >:( GRR! I used this while working with solution 3. It was a form of method acting, get surly! I would walk into the class and I would look like I was genuinely pissed (but not necessarily at them, like I've been having a bad day and now I have to teach THAT class). I have some genuine acting ability (from way long ago) because they bought it. I would be strict, and I would command attention. It worked! Until I realized that it killed my soul to do it and because of that I couldn't keep it up. There are some really cute kids in that class, I can't be mad at them! Because of that I had to abandon that strategy.
Now that I've adopted solution 4 I'm able to loosen up a bit. Since they actually behave a bit, I can maybe go back to my normal style of teaching (as explained in solution 1). This week is midterms week, after I grade them all I'm going to do a reflection piece contemplating whether or not I'm a good teacher. I will try to keep self loathing to a minimum when this comes up.
Till next time.
Speaking from a teacher's standpoint and not a student's, I finally understand why class size is an issue. I teach 4 grade one classes and 2 grade 2 classes. I have a total of 67 grade one students with about 20 in each of my morning classes and approximately 15 (or less) in my afternoon classes. It's very even and I have no complaints there. I have 42 grade 2 students with about 14 in my morning class and 28 in the afternoon class. The first day that I walked into that class the first thing I said was "there's too many of you! Move your desks!" The reason I did this was one, so I could possible maneuver around the tiny room and two it reminded me of a class in high school. My 12th grade English class was enormous in the beginning of the year (at least it seemed that way). I believe there were 37 students on the list and there were 40 some odd desks in the room. The original teacher had the desks in rows so we were crammed in there like sardines. It did make the class seem huge. When the new teacher took over the first thing he said was "I'm moving desks". At this point about 15 students were in different classes. He had enough desks in the classroom for all of us and we were in table groups that were spaced apart. It made the class seem less big. I tried this strategy for myself and it worked to no avail. Then I was faced with the 4 problems that made that class THAT class.
Solution 1: These problems don't exist. I attempted to carry on my class like I normally would with my bubbly personality that is funny and educational. I was only shot down by all the yelling, and The Dynamic Duo of my Eternal Headaches. Throw that out the window.
Solution 2: YELL! This is how I learned not to underestimate my own voice. I am able to talk over 28 yelling, screaming kids. This worked to an extent. I would have to countdown from 5 every 2 minutes but at least they would be quiet for a couple of seconds. :/ That little symbol is the equivalent of *sigh*.
Note: Doing this completely drained my voice for my last class.
Solution 3: THE DEATH STARE! I talked about the death stare in great detail earlier but sadly it's lost its effectiveness. I have to stare at a kid for a long time in order for it to work. I still use it so it has some degree of effectiveness.
Solution 4: Put the fear of lines into their hearts. Score one for collaboration on this one. This is the strategy that is working splendidly. The form of punishment here is to make kids write lines. You take them to the office after class and they write lines for whatever period of time you want or however many lines you want. It is effective because they lose their break and that's rough considering that some kids are here from 8 to 5. This was suggested by one of my colleagues Teacher Mike. Thank you so much!
Solution 5: This is my mad face >:( GRR! I used this while working with solution 3. It was a form of method acting, get surly! I would walk into the class and I would look like I was genuinely pissed (but not necessarily at them, like I've been having a bad day and now I have to teach THAT class). I have some genuine acting ability (from way long ago) because they bought it. I would be strict, and I would command attention. It worked! Until I realized that it killed my soul to do it and because of that I couldn't keep it up. There are some really cute kids in that class, I can't be mad at them! Because of that I had to abandon that strategy.
Now that I've adopted solution 4 I'm able to loosen up a bit. Since they actually behave a bit, I can maybe go back to my normal style of teaching (as explained in solution 1). This week is midterms week, after I grade them all I'm going to do a reflection piece contemplating whether or not I'm a good teacher. I will try to keep self loathing to a minimum when this comes up.
Till next time.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
O_____O It's about bathrooms! Read at your own risk! Seriously! It's kinda gross! You've been warned. You're still going to read it aren't you? Alright.
This little update is about pure Eastern bathrooms and the general WTF associated with them. The other day I was at my local mini mart eating and using the internet. This always happens, I always have to go to the bathroom and shut things down and go home to do it. I decided to ask if the mini mart had a bathroom. I was showed to the bathroom and I was introduced to a 100% Eastern bathroom. What does that look like? Confusing is what it looks like. There is a small platform with a hole (the purpose of that is obvious). The confusing part is the gigantic tub of water. There is a huge tub of water with fish in it (I suspect the fish aren't intentional). Now this wouldn't have been so bad if I didn't have to go #2. I did my business and I saw no conceivable way to get clean. There was the big tub of water and a tiny bucket. HOW DO I EVEN USE THAT? There was no TP, no butt hose, nothing! I was attempted to use the bucket but my pants got wet. That was a bust. I got out of there, stayed in the mini mart for awhile then I went home to do things the right way. Okay it wasn't as bad as the lengthy title suggested but the whole thing was pretty messed up.
Will write about Hell Class tomorrow! Time to go home.
Till next time.
Will write about Hell Class tomorrow! Time to go home.
Till next time.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
The death stare perfected
I have perfected the death stare! What is the death stare? Every teacher develops an evil eye that strikes fear into the hearts of their students to get them to behave. One of my classes is really freaking enormous, so I had to throw my evil eye out the window. My general approach to teaching is to be friendly but stern when needed. My afternoon grade two class is so out of hand, that wasn't working, THEY'RE SO EFFING LOUD! I decided to try a different approach. Yesterday, I got myself ready to be as surly and as mean as I could be. That got their attention. They were still loud though...
Then I turned on my evil eye but made it much more intense. I didn't move any part of my face, it turned into a cold penetrating stare that made them behave. At first they didn't take it seriously but I persisted, if a student was talking I would stare right at them without blinking and they would sit down and be quiet. It got to the point where if anyone stood up, I didn't have to say anything, I would just engage the death stare.
BWAHAHAHAHA! The Death Stare! Misbehaving students tremble before it's might! Except for the fact that it gives me a headache...
Then I turned on my evil eye but made it much more intense. I didn't move any part of my face, it turned into a cold penetrating stare that made them behave. At first they didn't take it seriously but I persisted, if a student was talking I would stare right at them without blinking and they would sit down and be quiet. It got to the point where if anyone stood up, I didn't have to say anything, I would just engage the death stare.
BWAHAHAHAHA! The Death Stare! Misbehaving students tremble before it's might! Except for the fact that it gives me a headache...
The Hose (Warning: this is about bathrooms, reader discretion advised)
After living here for almost two months I decided to try THE HOSE. The hose is something that is in every bathroom in Southeast Asia because they generally don't use toilet paper (gross). Up to this point I was using TP, I decided to try out my hose. Not going to lie, a million times more convenient and sanitary than toilet paper. One spray and you're done. I hereby call it the butt hose. I declare that there should be butt hoses in every bathroom in the world! (I told you it would be weird) That is all.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Ink
This mini update is about my epic fail of the day. The time finally came for me to refill my whiteboard markers. Problem is, didn't know how to do it. I had the refill ink but I didn't know how it worked. I have two kinds of markers, one has a button to supply fresh ink. To refill it you dunk the tip in the bottle and push the button a bunch of times. The other kind has a cap that you screw off and pour ink in. I figured out how to open the marker but then it came time to open the ink bottle. I was told that you have to cut the end off. I found a pair of scissors and aimed the bottle towards my bucket (I was told that the ink would spray a little). I cut and the ink got into the bucket...
And on my shirt, and on my tie, and on my pants, and all over the floor. Frankly it was hilarious, it was truly a sight to behold but I was very embarrassed. Luckily the floor in the office is tile so it was able to wash out easily. That is all.
And on my shirt, and on my tie, and on my pants, and all over the floor. Frankly it was hilarious, it was truly a sight to behold but I was very embarrassed. Luckily the floor in the office is tile so it was able to wash out easily. That is all.
The Big Shift
I worked at MIS for a month and something big happens. We move to a new building! That is very exciting and very stressful for all parties involved (students, teachers, staff). In reality we were supposed to be there on the 3rd but we got moved in on the 10th (yesterday). It was a little frustrating because over the holiday we were asked to come in on Saturday or Sunday to see the building. I did and it didn't look ready at all. I came back on Monday and was told to come back Thursday. I was supposed to come back at 2, I assumed it was a half day so I got all spruced up for work and came in and was told to come back on Monday. Finally, yesterday we actually had school and it was a tad overwhelming.
Finding my classrooms wasn't terribly difficult but my classes have gotten all mismatched. Some classes are big and others are small. My afternoon grade two class is enormous. My schedule is also a bit different. I have my grade one kids that were in my other class first (they were originally my last class of the day) and my other grade one kids last. My first grade two class is rather small and I like it but they're still a bit of a handful. All my grade one classes are a delight, I'm just not used to the kids being all swapped around.
Yes, this class gets its own paragraph. It's THAT class, all teachers have THAT class, the one that is too wild, or won't be quiet. My afternoon grade two class is THAT class. The reason? There are so many freaking kids! They are loud, they are disruptive and it is hard to get around the room with so many desks! I'll figure something out, I'm a decent teacher, it's a small challenge. Being in the new building is a lot of fun and I'll write more about it should it become applicable.
Till next time.
Finding my classrooms wasn't terribly difficult but my classes have gotten all mismatched. Some classes are big and others are small. My afternoon grade two class is enormous. My schedule is also a bit different. I have my grade one kids that were in my other class first (they were originally my last class of the day) and my other grade one kids last. My first grade two class is rather small and I like it but they're still a bit of a handful. All my grade one classes are a delight, I'm just not used to the kids being all swapped around.
Yes, this class gets its own paragraph. It's THAT class, all teachers have THAT class, the one that is too wild, or won't be quiet. My afternoon grade two class is THAT class. The reason? There are so many freaking kids! They are loud, they are disruptive and it is hard to get around the room with so many desks! I'll figure something out, I'm a decent teacher, it's a small challenge. Being in the new building is a lot of fun and I'll write more about it should it become applicable.
Till next time.
Sunday, October 9, 2011
How I learned to stop worrying and just cross the freaking street
I don't believe that I've hinted to this very much in my previous entries but it's dangerous here! Any and all safety rules that you know will be thrown out the window. To demonstrate, I will share the dos and don'ts of Phnom Penh.
Old Rule: Look both before crossing the street.
New Rule: Look one way before crossing the street and don't panic or run.
Commentary: Crossing the street here is terrifying. It's like a game of Frogger. You must creep out into the road and look one way (because that's where 90% of the traffic comes from) and keep in mind that motos and touk touks will go around you. I'm not sure about cars, then again I'm not going to stand in front of one to find out.
Old Rule: Don't take rides from strangers.
New Rule: Take rides from strangers (all the time)!
Commentary: Aside from touk touks, it's the only way to get around here!
Old Rule: Cross only at designated traffic lights or crosswalks.
New Rule: Cross anywhere.
Commentary: Crosswalk. What's that?
That's all I've picked up so far, it's scary but utilizing common sense will assure that you don't die.
Old Rule: Look both before crossing the street.
New Rule: Look one way before crossing the street and don't panic or run.
Commentary: Crossing the street here is terrifying. It's like a game of Frogger. You must creep out into the road and look one way (because that's where 90% of the traffic comes from) and keep in mind that motos and touk touks will go around you. I'm not sure about cars, then again I'm not going to stand in front of one to find out.
Old Rule: Don't take rides from strangers.
New Rule: Take rides from strangers (all the time)!
Commentary: Aside from touk touks, it's the only way to get around here!
Old Rule: Cross only at designated traffic lights or crosswalks.
New Rule: Cross anywhere.
Commentary: Crosswalk. What's that?
That's all I've picked up so far, it's scary but utilizing common sense will assure that you don't die.
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