Today was the first day without Eldwin. He was taken out at semester and it is very interesting how classroom dynamics have changed. There are still the crazy naughty boys (he was one of them) but the level of mayhem that they caused seemed to be less of a burden. It's interesting how the absence of one person changes a group of kids.
There was another absentee that was dearly missed - my right hand, my wingman, Budi. He was sick and so I had the Grade 3 Zoo all to myself. Now usually when one of us is sick, there is absurd amount of misfortune and lunacy that occurs. However today seemed to go rather smoothly (in a very unusual fashion). I don't know if it is because the kids were on good behavior or if I'm just getting used to the typical imminent pandemonium. Whichever it was, I am thankful for it.
I was busy organizing the Easter production while kids were working on projects for English and Bible. It was one of those days that everything seemed to click with the kids. If only everyday was like that. However, I'd be out of a job quickly if that happened all the time.
By lunch, I couldn't believe how great the day had turned out. I thought this just in time to jinx myself. As I was passing out math worksheets that Budi left me, one of my Grade 6 students came into the room and told me that Rosma (their teacher) needed me ASAP in her classroom.
To give some pretense to this next event, I should probably explain a few things. With being a Grade 6 teacher, I am automatically on the Exhibition Committee. The Exhibition Committee is a group of Grade 6 teachers and a specialist teacher that is in charge of the Grade 6 exhibition. The second semester of the year is devoted to this exhibition in which students choose a current problem that out society faces (children's rights, drugs, pollution, etc) and they do research on it. After their research, they come up with a plan of action and implement it in the community. At the end of the year they hold a fair to show the results and demonstrate their learning.
Our committee had recently assigned partners and groups based on academic ability and topic similarities. We worked really hard on making sure the partners and groups were feasible.
Now flash back to the classroom. I came into the class and was met by a group of weeping (literally) girls who clung to me like they were in fear for their lives. Rosma had just announced the groups and all of the girls were upset and bawling their eyes out. They did not like their partners. Rosma called me in, not because of all that, but because their was one girl that was beside herself. She was sobbing to the point of blacking out (in which she did once). She is quite difficult to reason with, but however, I seem to be able to touch a chord of reason with her. After calming her down and helping her become rational, I delivered the most blunt and punching impromptu speech. I have to say it was one of my better ones.
Somehow through that, I seemed to settle them down and accept their assignments. As I sit here typing, I honestly don't know what I said. Whatever I happened to say worked because in a short matter of time, everyone was fine. I was quite pleased with them, and I have to admit, I was quite pleased with myself.
I headed back to my class 30 minutes later, realizing that I had left my third graders unattended for a time that was way too long. I half expect to walk into screams and something on fire. To my surprise they were working on their weekly homework, reading, and practicing their Bible skits in pure silence. I almost started crying. I have never been more proud of them (aside from their performance in my Christmas production). They were rewarded with stickers for their good behavior incentive snowflakes and extra break time.
After their extended break, we all returned to class with the addition to all 25 of my Grade 6 students. Since Budi was gone, I was in charge of both classes. We paired up Grade 6 and Grade 3 students and did a science experiment about surface tension. Some of you may ask, why are you doing science experiments in English class? The answer is simple: we are learning how to write experiment procedure reports in class and we needed some experiments so that we could initiate the new writing process.
Despite the fact that my classroom was practically underwater by the time the experiments were completed, it seemed to be successful. Both groups loved working with a different age level. There was enthusiasm from all corners of the classroom. It was truly a blessing in disguise. Who would have thought one teacher's absence would kindle a fire of cooperation, excitement, and new friendships among various grades.
After this was all said and done, I was ready to bring the day to a close. The kids left saying that it had been the best day ever. That's always great to hear as a teacher. After the classroom was empty, I was able to have some downtime and get tutored in Bahasa by my friend, Fany (prekindy teacher). It went well and I have retained so much!
As I reflect on this day, I really can't help but smile. There were some rather large bumps in the road (more like potholes actually), however they turned out to be just what each of my classes needed. It's days like these that make me say "and this is why I became a teacher". In contrast to that though, I can't wait to have my amazing teaching partner back tomorrow. We really do make a fantastic team.
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