In Motion

Sometimes, I envy teachers who have seemingly perfect class control. By perfect class control, I mean that whenever I walk past their class, pupils are seated quietly with all eyes on the teacher. The teacher concentrates on teaching, and the pupils are engaged in learning. One disclaimer is that I bet those teachers don't employ group work strategies most of the time. I also suspect that they have taken drastic measures such as publicly mincing a kid into pieces to deter the others from trying their stunts in the classroom. =P I think most people would think class control is easy. I used to think that myself, since I have a fiercer nature and people tend to be scared of me. After undergoing my practicum for more than 5 months, I know better than to make assumptions now. Children will be children, and if you spare the rod, you'll spoil the child. Nowadays teachers aren't allowed to use the rotan anymore, so our level of scariness has gone down a few notches. Scolding ...

I'm not a very exciting person to hang out with, other than verbally. If you ask me what I like doing, I'd say reading a good book, having a good conversation, and maybe some shopping (provided it's a good bargain and I have a need/want). I don't really like "exciting" and "fun" things like going for an excursion with lots of friends, or jungle trekking, or travelling, or hanging out in a big group. My ideal number of people to hang out with stops at 1, which makes 2 including myself. That's the perfect number for good quality time and lots of deep conversations. I also like to dictate my own schedule and time, and dislike inconveniencing myself by the lack of a bathroom or having to follow other people's schedules to do what other people like (since I don't enjoy many things myself and would be perfectly content to hole up with a good book). I also hate groupwork unless I'm working with dynamic, intelligent and focused group ...

Last post - 8th February. Wow. It's been a month since I posted anything here. Oh well, not as if I don't know what practicum is like. Every day is a never-ending cycle of lesson planning, sleep, drive, school, lunch, drive, nap, lesson planning, sleep. Throw in another 2 assignments to be submitted next week and you get no weekends too. The good thing is I actually like teaching, and I have a nice combination of classes this time. Besides that, the school admin has been really nice and considerate towards us, and I really couldn't ask for more. So despite the super long drive (40 minutes each way, depending on traffic conditions and how many lorries are in front of me), I guess I'm having a good time in general this practicum. I don't really like teaching Moral Education for my minor, though. Mainly because we have to dwell on one topic for 2 weeks (3 lessons a week) or more, and there are only so many things you can do with a weak class on the sameeeeeeeee t...