How do they do it? How do teachers day in and day out continue to try and teach students who seem to come to school with a myriad of problems, social ills and skill and learning deficits. It would seem it would take the patience of job and the generosity of spirit of Jesus to make this happen and on some days you might be correct about that assessment.
Been thinkin about how I have been able to be motivated everyday to come to work and work with students who daily challenge your perception of teaching and why you became a teacher.
Just today I had to deal with students who appeared burnt out and ready to give up. By the time they came to my class they practically had nothing else to give or so it seemed. Do we push them beyond measure, or do we try to find a way to gently guide them through. Well, I've always been a sucker for the softer side so I tried to gently guide them through. I decided to have the students play a game dealing with comma rules instead of drill and kill them with a worksheet.
Did it work? You bet your baby's bottom it did......Did they learn? Well, that is still debateable. However, if it did nothing else it reenergized them and myself. Now, I want to do more creative things like that that deliberately teach them how to think, learn and play--all under the guise of education. And yes my friend it can be done.
Here's the link to the game they played today. Commas game. Have fun!!!
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