And Now I Know...

I teach Grade 6 and Grade 3 differently. I have found that with the older grades I can be a little bit more free, spastic, and hyper (in a controlled way). Budi asked me the other day why all of the Grade 6 kids end up in the classroom during break or free time. The conversation somehow transitioned into the different ways I present myself and teach with the different age levels.

Basically the main difference is that I'm my crazy self in a whole other dimension in Grade 6 where as in Grade 3 I'm a little more calm and consoling. That really is the main difference. I do have to say though, I think I laugh more when I'm teaching more than my Grade 6 kids do (and let me tell you - they howl in laughter).

Each day we try new ways to quiet us down (instead of the boring counting down from 3-2-1). One day we slap our knees and go "Wooooo". One day we do the wave around the room. Another day we freeze and make a funny face.

I don't know what's so funny half the time, but usually it's stemmed from one of my off the wall comments or actions. However, I have found that by making the class fun and enjoyable, the kids are more engaged.

I was reading through the kids' journals the other day and one of the entries really stuck with me. I usually don't read through them, I just check if they're done. However, I decided to page through a few of them. It said "Every time I come into class with Ms. Marie, I can't help but smile. I'm never quite sure what crazy, insane thing she is going to do, but it always makes me laugh. I never knew English class could be so funny and enjoyable. I feel like I've learned more in 3 weeks than I could ever imagine." How awesome is that? I guess I'm doing something right.

Now to be truthful, I do give my students in Grade 6 a lot of homework. This weekend I have about 20 pounds of grading to do, but they are so talented and creative. I love reading the things that they write. They bring their imagination to reality. They work extremely hard, but I try to make their assignments and class time fun so that they will not be burdened by what homework they have.

In class we have just finished our final drafts of "Letters to Our Future Self". I played the son "Letter to Me" by Brad Paisley, as an intro to this assignment. Although this song is more a letter to his past self, it really hit a chord with the students and they wrote magnificent letters. Though these letters will end up in their PYP portfolio, I'm going to keep a copy of them and send it to them when they're in Grade 12. I was taught this through another teacher, and even if I am not at SPH when they are in Grade 12, I can send it to them. Honestly, if you were in Grade 12 and you randomly received a letter from yourself from Grade 6, how cool would that be? You would definitely be able to see how far you've come and how you've changed. That is ultimately the goal in this assignment.

Okay, so I've babbled enough in this post. However, to close this, I have to say that I LOVE MY JOB! There is no other job in the world that could compare to this. I think I'd get too bored and monotonous. God - thanks for helping me become a teacher - even though I swore I'd never become one.