Not Everyone Is A Groupie
I was reminded today of the importance of speaking with students one on one. Since I am still getting to know these students, I took a few minutes to go around during classes to speak with students while they were illustrating or translating a reading that we started yesterday. The first thing that I noticed was that students who were obviously reluctant to speak when the entire class was listening, were so much more comfortable without an audience of their peers. I sometimes forget that.
The second thing I realized is that some students are "wired" to respond well in group situations and others aren't. As a teacher, I am quite comfortable working with groups and around groups. It is one of the reasons I was drawn to the profession. Not everyone is comfortable in that setting. Some people prefer to work in pairs or alone. The very structure of the school day is uncomfortable for them. In a few years, these students will be looking for a career that will allow them to have more personal space, but for now, the crowded hallways, loud cafeteria and classrooms full of twenty-plus other people day after day must not be very pleasant!! The least I can do is offer them a few minutes from time to time to work alone and at their own pace. I can also look for opportunities to interact with them that do not put them on a "stage".
How did I know that they appreciated the switch from large group to individual interaction? I saw them smile. Not an "I want to make the teacher happy" smile, but an "I'm happy" smile....a smile that spoke volumes...in any language.
with love,
Laurie
The second thing I realized is that some students are "wired" to respond well in group situations and others aren't. As a teacher, I am quite comfortable working with groups and around groups. It is one of the reasons I was drawn to the profession. Not everyone is comfortable in that setting. Some people prefer to work in pairs or alone. The very structure of the school day is uncomfortable for them. In a few years, these students will be looking for a career that will allow them to have more personal space, but for now, the crowded hallways, loud cafeteria and classrooms full of twenty-plus other people day after day must not be very pleasant!! The least I can do is offer them a few minutes from time to time to work alone and at their own pace. I can also look for opportunities to interact with them that do not put them on a "stage".
How did I know that they appreciated the switch from large group to individual interaction? I saw them smile. Not an "I want to make the teacher happy" smile, but an "I'm happy" smile....a smile that spoke volumes...in any language.
with love,
Laurie
Thank you for this Laurie! I imagine many of us can relate to the working well with groups...but I didn't become a groupie until the very end of my school career. Until just now, I had forgotten the feeling of just wanting to have my own personal time and space and way to do things in school. I was in Middle School, just like where I teach now. I think I need to start looking out for the 'former me's in my classes'
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