BlogYYY
Tuesday, April 1, 2008,8:06 PM
The Little Ones
Went for class as usual after recess today and it was music lesson with another class. Returned to class a period later, only to find that the classroom was dark, door closed. I peered in. No one inside, it seems. I wondered where my class had gone. Something sure seemed amiss, i told myself. Nevertheless, I opened my classroom door.
Silence. Stillness. As i scrutinused further, i realised that the chairs in the class were neatly tucked in, and my monitor appeared behind me, with a "duh" look on his face. "Where's the class?" he asked me. I looked around and spotted a pair of legs below some kid's table. As I looked around, I realised that...... under those little tables, the little ones hid and contorted themselves between their chairs and school bags as they huddled together, trying hard to keep away from my sight! Haha! I've to admit, it was really NEAT! Others were hidden under my table, behind my chair, and behind ah yoyo's lap top console at the back of the class! oh man! I didn't want to spoil their fun, but i had to, coz lessons had to continue, so i said..."I saw you la! all come out!" and they all jumped out of their hiding places and shouted "HAPPY APRIL FOOL's DAY Mrs Phua!" haha!
I've gotta say, they co operated and planned this feat really well, considering the amount of time they had when the previous teacher had juz left. No giggling, no chuckling to give the game away. It was a neat trick! It certainly brightened up my otherwise monotonous day.
What particularly struck me was, their ability to know that they cannot 'cross' the boundary to offend the teacher. That impressed me. As I look back, it took me some time to begin liking them, as two thirds of the class were boys. Naughty and noisy and chatty and loud. As I got to know them better, bonds were built, the boys got used to my style and learnt to contain themselves at the appropriate times, sometimes even nudging one another from their 'gang' to keep each other out of trouble.
We had successfully completed one week of our PW and i've to say, though they were noisy, chatty, loud, they worked hard together in groups to prepare for their presentations. Though their ppt slides were not in tip top condition and with perfect grammar, the camaradarie and commitment between them touched my heart. Within themselves, trivial disagreements were resolved, and all worked well together. I am very encouraged. As I look back, I no longer see them as i bunch of loud, mischievous kids, but a bunch of kids who know how to have fun even when they are hard at work. Am indeed looking forward to spend the rest of the year with them, building rapport and stonger bonds with them. This is what makes my life meaningful at work because i know that it is only in class that i'm really fulfilling the heart of my calling.
A simple girl who seeks to seize and treasure each precious moment in life. She craves spending time with those she love, esp the friends and loved ones around her. Life doesn't go on forever, so each moment is precious to her. Polka dots, ribbons, boots, blings, beautiful bags, cupcakes and giraffes tickle her pink!
