Teacher Musings
Tutoring my Monday night student is always a lot of fun. We work hard together, but it feels like play, because I’m constantly switching it up to keep it interesting and she’s constantly remembering things she wants to ask and tell me. It’s not a linear lesson. It’s like being dragged around by a herd of butterflies.
The fact that she feels she can ask and tell me anything is valuable to me, and I always encourage the kids to ask away. So we go off topic for a few minutes while we talk about song lyrics or food or something that happened at school. They’re still learning.
It’s the side conversations that create trust, and that makes them better learners and me a better teacher.
Some Stuff | Liz September 14, 2009
By beth, September 15, 2009 @ 7:11 am
I was looking for the FB box that says “like”. I agree completely.
And I love the herd of butterflys comment.
By Arwen, September 15, 2009 @ 11:49 am
Teachers who saw ME, instead of just the lesson, were the teachers I always most wanted to make proud.
By Liz, September 16, 2009 @ 11:48 pm
Thanks, Beth!
Arwen, that’s where the good teaching starts. I teach individuals, not clones.
By Nicole, October 16, 2009 @ 10:43 pm
What grade do you teach? I teach first grade. This morning we started talking about bats and ended talking about tree sap. It was a good side bar morning.
By Liz, October 17, 2009 @ 12:05 am
Nicole, I teach all the grades. Because it’s an after-school academy, I get every age of students in my classes. I love every age of student, because then topics can wander so amny different ways!