Teaching a class seems like the easiest thing to do, but it
is in fact the most complex of all processes. As a teacher, one is laden with
the responsibility of shaping the next generation. As a day to day interaction,
one may not be bogged down by the weight of this responsibility because one is
dealing with so much more in the class everyday, but it always haunts at the
back of the mind. To some, teaching may just be about getting done with the
syllabus or ensuring that the kids listen to them when they are talking. But
most often, teachers do much more than just this.
Teachers not only worry about teaching the class a
particular subject, but also think about the emotional and psychological
developments of the children. In spite of their busy schedules and lack of time,
they always know what’s happening with their children at a personal level. They
always know how each child is doing – whether a child is proactive or quiet,
enthusiastic or shy, having some troubles at home or has the potential to excel
in a particular field. Having a class of fifty odd children doesn’t handicap
them. Most teachers still manage to know the children in their class, personally.
But having said this, there are always instances when the
teachers get overwhelmed by a big class or a noisy class or a handful of very
active children making it difficult for her/him to concentrate on the other
students. What is she/he supposed to do
then? Are there any quick formulae to teaching that she can apply to ensure
that the shy children are not left behind? Or that the overall morale of the
class doesn’t go down because she is unable to (for various reasons)
communicate with the class the way she would have ideally liked?
The one thing that is of prime importance is that the
teacher’s aura should not be intimidating. Instead, it should be warm and
friendly towards the children. They should be able to approach her and confide
in her. And when in class, they should be able to participate, without the fear
of being yelled at for giving the wrong answer or for not knowing or
understanding something.
Here are things that when said often, help build the morale
of the class positively.
And the second thing is that a teacher must never just
concentrate on the kids that answer all the time or are very proactive. Once
you identify them, you know that they are listening. So now it is the time to
look for those who are quietly hiding at the back, and not participating. It is
important to push them to get involved so that they do not feel left out. Engaging
ALL the children is key!
There are many more articles like this that can help
teachers to make teaching a more joyous and effective experience. To read more,
visit our RESOURCES FOR TEACHERS section.
