Hello Parents,
I finally find the time to fill in this page to hopefully help you understand my perspective on education and the things we do in class.
First and foremost, I believe education is not something that should be limited to textbooks and worksheets. All of us are a better human being everyday through life's experiences that we've learnt to be a better person in terms of knowledge, skill and habit. The core that shapes us are our values. I believe that as educators, both parents and teachers, impart more values than anything else. These are the things that we don't realize until we make an conscious effort to. What are these things?
These are the words we speak and the things we do. Children are very sensitive to these things and create their own perspective on life and their values. Along with that, they meet other people who may or may not share their values and not necessarily their belongings or skill. The hidden and obvious sharing of values are all very implicit and actually comes through mimicking another person's speech and/or actions. This is why the term role model came into the education vocabulary.
What am I getting at here? At best, I'm saying that in the classroom, I do things slightly differently than other teachers. I do that because I view things differently in education. For example, the writing of a composition. Some teachers think that writing compositions over and over again makes a child better at it.
But writing in English is not mathematics.
It is not a practice subject. Just look at how it's being marked. The scores are divided into two components: content (12 marks) and language (8 marks). This shows how much the component of composition plays more relevance to the story, rather than the language. (Do note that in examinations, as long as the child follows the picture pattern and creates his/her own ending, she will automatically get 6 out of 12 marks).
This is why in my class, I include drama. Drama allows students to explore their imagination as well as the imagination of their friends.
For example, the most recent composition activity we did was an activity I called "Sound Scenarios". I did not tell them what the composition will be about where other teachers would usually give the students the paper first and this, I believe, limits the child's imagination! Back to the activity, I would first model the activity by doing the activity without much instruction. I just told them to close their eyes by putting their head on the table and imagine. I then closed the windows and curtains, shut the doors, switched off the lights and fans.
Then i rapped at the windows. Taking a ruler, I made noises with the grills of the windows, as if someone was trying to force it open. I then made deliberate sounds of someone trying to open a cabinet or wardrobe and finding money inside. Then the sound of a door shut, quietly creaking.
The scenario simply could be someone who was locked out of the house and left his own house quietly after trying to open his cabinet which has always had a problem with its lock.
But the children immediately announced words relating to robbery, kidnap and so on.
This simply shows the power of their imagination.
Later on, I got 2 groups to perform. Each group had 10 people and the sound stories they created were amazing.
I am planning to record one lesson as 1. half the class has not gotten the opportunity to and 2. I plan to do a research on drama and writing. We'll see how that goes.
I hope now, you understand that some things are better done the way it was meant to be. But unfortunately, when parents provide the school with negative feedback like the teacher did not do enough compositions, both school and parents do not see the quality of learning that happens in class. Aside from the fact that I personally believe there is simply too much for the quota for compositions (8 per semester), simply because every time compositions are submitted, there are 40 stories to read.
Mind you, this is along with the different worksheets and workbooks that are required by the department for us to mark.
Oh, and besides the fact that some of our dear children forgetting to bring or do their homework.
Oh, and the fact that sometimes, even after going through the corrections, and , sadly, to a point where the corrections are left their for them to simply copy (in hope that they compare their work with the correct answer and thus learning takes place; that is, even if they do their work), some children do not. It creates a vicious cycle and this is why I created this blog of which I realize and regret that it was done too late.
I do hope that I can follow the class when they are promoted to Primary 5, but chances are that I might stay at this level. Of course, that is up to the management to manage.
At this, I wish all the best for your child's education, both academically and in life. And also, your family's wealth in health and happiness. :)
Best Wishes,
Mr. F
