After teaching for years, I have come to understand the fact that effective teaching goes beyond what happens in the classroom. Of course it makes up a high percentage, but focusing on it alone is just not enough. Most especially if you teach preteens.
As a teacher I have to admit that the classroom can get really boring. That is why you have to compliment it with activities outside teaching and lecturing.
Today is sports day, and as the new sports master I made it mandatory for every student to engage in a form of physical activity. The announcement was contested at first, but they had no choice. We have a variety of sports and games activities to choose from. They include:
Football
Basketball
Skipping
Chess
Scrabble
Monopoly
We also had track activities like running, marching and many more.
However, I saw a different aspects of the students today that I rarely see. Perhaps it’s because I’m the new sports master, but I see how excited they are to engage in these activities.
The following scenarios will be etched in my memory for a very long time:
Zion scored 58 points in a her scrabble turn and she shouted in excitement. She played the word zonal on triple word. Absolutely brilliant.
Micheal scored a free kick, which was the winning goal. The game ended 1-0, so his goal made the difference. He did the CR7 celebration, Sui!
Divine checkmate the principal in chess. The audacity! Well all the teachers had a good laugh at our superior (subtly of course)
This activities allows them to exert themselves towards their talents and interests. And just when they discover what it is they can do, the smile on their faces is golden.
This is what we do as teachers. We help these youngsters discover their potentials, then help build them.
Surely it’s important for them to understand Algebra and Probability, but the activities outside the classroom deserves equal attention. This will prepare them physically and mentally for the life ahead. After the activity most of them were tired, but it was not for nothing.
Teacher Kenny and the Kids are alive!
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