I’ll make good use of this free time!
Valentine’s Day wasn’t able to make it on a weekday. However, I somehow managed to bring some of its essence to the kids by telling them little details about how Valentine’s day came to be. I also have them make Valentine’s Day cards without having to receive some from them. I made them pick out a name from rolled pieces of paper to which they will give their cards. Some of my pupils complained that they have picked out the name of their naughty classmate. I told them, in their letter, they can put there the things they want to say before they graduate next month. It somehow made a positive result as they were able to give advises and express their thoughts in their own level. My class’ Valentine’s Day cards just revolved around them. I still received some from other classes though. What they have written on the cards made me think.
Most of the pupils thanked me for teaching them things like teaching them how to read and teaching them songs. It made me think: “Should they really be thanking me?” I mean, I’m a teacher, that’s what teachers do, teach. And not just teach but also encourage the learners to discover and learn more. Also, we are being paid for what we do. But to these kids, it must have meant something more. Sometimes I think it’s just about so they can write something in their cards. But there are some that really seem to be sincere as they have even written the letter in our dialect so they can express themselves more.
I’m not saying the pupils should not be thankful. It does take great effort to deliver the service they deserve. But I just find it quite amusing to hear it from elementary kids. To me, it seems like I’m just doing what I should be doing. But to them, it may come across as something else, something more meaningful.
So if at times that we teachers, may find our work too much to bear, think of our learners. They appreciate and see the importance of what we do, whether they may explicitly express it or not.
It’s nearing summer vacation! =)
Dong's Thoughts 