by: Cheryl Koonce
"Why do you teach?" "If I had to teach those kids I would hurt someone." "How
do you do it?" I have heard these comments throughout my teaching career. I
hope I am not different than any other teacher when I say this, but, I teach
because I love it!!
There are those students who are hard to reach. That little girl or boy you
spend every day trying to teach and just feel like you can't get through.
He/She is the trial of a teacher's career.
Every year I have at least one. This coming year I will be blessed with a whole
classroom full. The question I face every year is, "How do I teach these young
handfuls in such a way that they can learn, enjoy learning, and respond back?"
Well, the obvious answer is "hands on." I have taught by hands on learning long
before I heard the term. If a student can't apply the idea they are not likely
to remember it.
The last several items I have written concerning learning have been on
greenhouses. I am still writing in that direction. That is probably the most
useful solution I have come up with in my teaching career.
It has been said "Idle hands are the devil's tools." Children that are bored
are generally going to find some way to not be bored. This usually is not to
the student's benefit nor the teacher's.
What creates boredom in these hard to reach children? Seems if they have not
accomplished the task at hand they should have no reason for boredom. True
though that may be, these youngsters are still bored.
Several things come into play here. A student who can't understand what is
being taught can't accomplish the task at hand. Often this lack of
understanding is due to past neglect. The student can not understand this
concept because he/she never understood the foundation concept.
Occasionally the reason for boredom is due to lack of desire to learn. If the
student can not see the importance of the concept within his/her own realm, the
concept must not be important. Particularly if the student has gone home and
asked Mom and Dad if the concept is important and his/her significant others
have informed him/her "it is stupid." (Occassionally, I have a student give me
this explanation.)
The student may not be able to comprehend simply because the must be able to
touch the concept in order to process the concept. Put another way, "hands on."
The student needs manipulatives to understand the concept.
Here's where the greenhouse comes in. There are so many things to teach in the
greenhouse. Science, math, life skills, art, even cooking. Find the objective
that needs to be taught and go to the greenhouse.
Students will take pride in what they do. They can proudly present their work
to their parents and fellow students. Even the state fair offers places for
students' work.
These unattentative students become enthusiasts. Pushing every day for the
opportunity to go to the greenhouse. Never realizing the work they are doing.
So, where do we begin. With a notebook, a pen/pencil, and an open mind. Get
these young minds moving for an adventurous year.
About The Author
I am a fulltime school teacher in the fields of math and science. My master's
degree is Reading Specialist. I enjoy working with people. In the past year I
have started working parttime as a landscaper assistant and am having a blast!
We are currently starting an internet business selling greenhouses.
Landscaping, gardening, backyard ponds, fountains, and teaching--what a
wonderful mix!
I enjoy working with plants and people. I also enjoy riding my horse on trail
rides. She is a brown quarterhorse named Molly.
My hobbies are my life. My husband laughs and says he has to support my hobby
-- teaching. To this I have added the greenhouses and of course riding.
Source: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_1774.shtml
Tags:
Teaching -
Tough Ones |
