3 weeks so far...

I've been wanting to update my blog since such a long time! But was just too caught up with making lesson plans, making unit plans (for next 6 weeks), administering diagnostic tests for different subjects and analysing their results to know the exact level of every child in class etc. etc. etc...Well ya, did get an off for Bharat Bandh yesterday and Tukaram Palkhi today, but again time flew in catching up on sleep, some training and data tracking...phew!
So let me just sum it up to how the 3 weeks have gone so far. To start with, I got my 3rd grade students back. I was really happy and so were they! And I actually emotional blackmail them at times that if they do not behave I will send another teacher to their class :) and it actually works ;) shows that they do like my company...The whole analysis of data has revealed that I have certain kids in class who are at 3rd standard level whereas a couple of them are at pre k.g. level. They can barely read words like of, was, the, on...it was pretty shocking for me to see these kids in 3rd standard. A majority of my class has kids who are 1.5 years below their grade level. I will be planning and differentiating to pull each child to the level he is supposed to be at.
I am probably forgetting a lot of stuff that happened over the last few weeks but here are some of the distinct ones I remember...
1) In week two, when I was teaching less than and greater than sign, Atharv actually got up and said "didi not understood!" I was so so so happy that he did that. I told the entire class how proud I was of Atharv to have accepted that he has not understood...and the next moment just to get the praise 5 other kids (whom I clearly know understood the concept) got up and said "didi I also not understood" :P
2) I have to admit Atharv is very sharp. While teaching rotation of earth he asked me "if earth moves why don't we fall?" I surely never thought of it at that age! I was so glad that my kids actually started questioning things...
3) While I was teaching we were locked in our classroom by a 1st grader post which all my kids were at the window screaming "kholo kholo"...classroom management was a total mess!
4) Shouting on kids does not help...you need to keep them busy every minute to get their attention. Creative planning for every minute in class makes your day! Inspite of planning you may fail as you never know what kids may do!
5) Give kids some personal attention and they will do all you want them to do. They feel safe and happy to know you care.
6) I am upset over the hitting around that goes on in my class. Tried different ways but have failed miserably. Some kids just cannot keep their hands to themselves. They get into physical fights often.
7) Currently I am facing a low in terms of "so much to do and so little time"...better time management is something I need to work on immediately.
Some incidents across other TFI classes which made us laugh after class but probably made us pull our hair in class:
1) A kid got his head stuck inside the desk and the only way out was to use a saw to cut the desk open!
2) A kid did this nasty thing of peeing in a bottle and rolling it over in class.
3) A kid made powder out of lead in pencil, took it in his hand and spat on it. He put it on his partners face. He and his partner were made to wash their hands and face and five minutes later he does the same to another kid in class.
4) A kid got his head stuck in between the bars of a window. He had to be pulled out. Luckily did not need the saw this time!
5) During phonics lesson the kids were being taught the "ch" sound. The teacher gave them example of chocolate, chat, chilly etc. and asked them to think of a "ch" sound word...A kid immediately replies "chutiya!"
All in all kids are like a blank canvas...teachers have to take up the challenge and help them come out with the best colors in them! A teacher has to be patient, a teacher has to be a friend, a teacher has to be strict yet loving, a teacher has to be responsible, a teacher has the potential to make a difference to the society in the long run, there is no profession as noble as teaching! I am proud that I am a teacher and I am proud that I Teach For India!!! :)