Week 4

This was a short week.
I spoke to my grade 11 ML class because I felt they were becoming disrespectful. I was surprised the effect it had on their attitudes and participation in class.
After the talk, they were much more positive.
I also had to hand in my formal test, for checking its level and quality, which the learners need to do on 25 August. I will get feedback next week.

The grade 10 class was devided into two separate classes, which makes them much easier to handle. I'vealso changed the way in which I mark homework. I now use that as well to have the girls provide their answers, and then I provide my answers afterwards. When the majority have an issue, I thendo the sum onthe board.
One class I actually asked for two volunteers, and then had them do the question on the board and have them explain the answers. It worked pretty well.

I finally have a routine for preparing for tge next day, driving to and from school, as well as teaching the learners. Although my routine ensures that my energy levels at school stay up, I am finding that towards the end of the day I'm getting tired an do tend to make silly mistakes. The teacher says I just need to become teaching fit.

I messed up on Wednesday after school when I was doing chess. I got so into teaching the one new girl, that I forgot to keep the number of learners in mind. I ended up being alone in a classroom with one girl for approximately 20 minutes. The door was open, but I found the experience shocking as I am enjoying teaching but simply by being male, I'm in a position where I must stop doing anything the moment another teacher is no longer in the class AND the learner numbers are too low. The biggest problem is that there are only 6 chess players. With the regular coach being out of the country for a competition, it is up to me to assist. I understand the dangerous consequences that could happen, which is why I'm torn between helping someone who asks for it and keeping in mind that that person could abuse the situation. Helping is why I want to be a teacher but I cannot help simply because of my gender. It's a shame that our society is like this.