Today I taught Year 4A3 about calendar. I gave each of them 2009 calendar and as usual I would asked them questions just to warm up the teaching and learning(T&L) session. Questioning method really work for my T&L. The questions were mostly like this:
- What can you get from calendar? day, date, month, year, holidays, events(birthday, National day, etc)
- What you use calendar for? look at event, puasa, raya...and the list they gave went on and on... :) good response
- What can you see in calendar?numbers, weeks, calendar cina(this one funny,but very good answer actually because he's alert about small2 things)
Usually, pupils would answer according to their previous knowledge and experience. This is important because pupils need to be shown the link between the lesson and the purpose of it clearly. So, I close the set induction with a clear statement of "Today, we will use our kowledge about calendar to take note about events and activity around us".
The first task the pupils have to do is to mark their birthday. From the list of birthdays, I made an analysis of the month of pupils' birthdays. Interestingly, the highest count of birthdays is in March 1999. Then it happened. I was touched by the pupils' questions. They were concern about me too!
"Teacher, bila birthday teacher? teacher tanya kita, teacher x kabo pon birthday teacher."
I answered, shyly "7 August"
"Hah!!!! Teacher, esok la ye? yeay....teacher punya birthday esok!!!!"
The class went on after several time I asked them to settle down. They were so excited.
The class ended 10:15 am. It was recess time. So, I sat down in the class just to have the chance to chat with them. Lately I love to spend my time chatting with the pupils. It's interesting to learn what's going on in their head and lives. What they know about certain issues and comments. No wonder Aznil Hj Nawawi doesn't mind talking to children. They are such wonderful creatures, innocent and curious...
The first question was asked by the class monitor, Asyraf Hanapiah, "Teacher, when is Pn N is going to replace you again?" I was a bit down when he asked that. Wanting to know their responses about my class, I dared myself to ask "Why Asyraf? Are you bored with my lesson?"
Then, he answered "Pn N ngajor xsedap la teacher." No doubt, it was the emotions of relief and happy mixed together in me. Curiously I asked, "Ape yg xsedapnye?" Addressing the questions to all the pupils gathered around me.
"Ye(dia) garang sangat la teacher" Okieeeeee...there's go one secrect out...
"Nape awak kate dia garang? Awak semua nakal sangat kot, tu yg dia garang?" fishing answers and secrets more from the pupils.
"Suara ye kuat", "Ye suke marah2" Hah! I'm like that too. Habis la. They are going to hate me.
Seeking affirmation "Suara teacher pon kuat, teacher marah jugak...teacher x garang?"
"Tak, teacher xgarang. Suara teacher xpower mcm Pn N..." Not satisfied, they must be hiding something.
"Ape yg bezanya?"
"Ye suka pukul" There you go. The bean has spilled out.
Pn N didn't seem the kind of person would do that. She always seen as the person who is really concern about the pupils and would always remind me to be sympathy towards the pupils. Now, I know your secret Pn N and you can't brag some more about how good you are in class control.
Pupils are afraid to you and they are quiet because of that, not because of respect.
The chat continued with more questions from the pupils asking what I want for my birthday. They wanted to collect money to buy my birthday presents. Deeply touched by the pupils effort, I said, "Teacher xnak ape2, teacher nak awak semua belajar rajin2 dan cuba dapat B dalam matematik untuk test akan datang."
I don't expect too much from these pupils. My target is realistic, the pupils majority got C and D for the latest examination. Thus, I set a realistic target for them.
They stood there quietly and one usually mischievious pupil said "Tu la yg selalu cikgu2 nak kan teacher? tapi teacher last day kat sini sebelum exam, camne kite(saya) nak bagi kat teacher"
Tears almost fell from my eyes hearing these words from that boy. I said "Teacher ade ke xde, awak kena dpt B tau...especially you Afiq".
These are one of the joy of my life. I never thought of saying this before, but now I say it aloud
MY PUPILS, MY JOY
To all teachers out there, they are our joy. If you do not feel like this, quit your job and give to others with the spirit of teaching and want to be a good teacher.
To all KPLI, DPLI, PISMP, KDC, and all teaching courses students,
DO NOT EVER ENTER THIS FIELD JUST BECAUSE YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CHOICE/WORK.
DO IT BECAUSE OF LOVE, EMPATHY AND CARE.
LOVE TEACHING,
LOVE THE PUPILS,
YOU WILL LEARN TO LOVE LIFE AND LIVE LIFE.
