I can breath a large sigh of relief. I have completed my “required” teaching for GVSU and am now team teaching, or doing the lessons I find to be very interesting. I turned in my Unit Plan and thought I was slightly ahead of the game, but this next week is still more packed than ever.
This past week I have taken the time to sit back and watch the class. We are nearing the end of the trimester and it is interesting to see how the students have grown or stayed static. I see changes in many and others I wonder how they are going to make it though (in a larger sense than just U.S. History). I smile at many of the students who are working extra hard because they are getting down to two full weeks left. I think of myself as a high schooler and often wonder, “Was I like that?”, and obviously my answer is no. I know I was always on the ball:).
Lately I have been putting myself back in their shoes and trying to think of what it was like to balance life as a young adult. I now look at them and try to tell them they have it easy and they do not agree. I tell them it wasn’t that long ago that I was in their position and they laugh because four (going on five) years is a long time to them. I am so far removed in many of their minds. I think it is because I am now on the “other side”. Anyway, at times I do think we ask a ton out of these kids. And that is what some of them are. They are kids. I find myself thinking about the girls on my basketball team that I have in class. They are in school from 7:30 a.m. to 3:00. I ask them to be ready to go for practice and on the court by 3:30. Practice goes for 3 hours. They get home by 6:30, eat till 7:00, take a shower, change, and have roughlty and hour of homework (or more for many of these girls). It’s nine o’clock before they are done and they still have not gotten family or “me” time. Where is their youth?
For others not in a sport it may be work that takes up that extra time, and some have such hard family lives. They spend a large chunk of their time going back and forth between mom and dad. It is amazing when you think of how many things they are trying to balance as high schoolers. I think we must all take a step back and take a look at what they are realing balancing in their lives.
Just a sentimental week I guess.
Candace, I also am feeling a bit relieved when it comes to my student assisting. I too have completed my unit, and next week is just exams. I like how you wrote about how these kids have to balance so much. I think the students, whether they react or not, like it when a teacher tries to see things from their perspective. I can’t believe that next week is the last week i will have these students, it is sad. Like you said we have seen many of them change over the last 12 weeks or so. Have a good turkey day, later
I definitely agree that it is nice to be done with many of the COE requirements. It has been a hell of a ride so far and I am ready for break. Things have been stressful, but I know that they are worth it. I hope that you feel the same way.
As for the students, you are right. Kids today have little to no time for themselves. I am the same way (ask me sometime and I will tell you my daily schedule), but I think that this is how the world is becoming. I think that over the years the world will see that being a child is doing all of the activities because all other children will do the same. It is sad to think that free time is becoming a thing of the past though…
-Scott
Somehow i missed the point. Probably lost in translation
Anyway … nice blog to visit.
cheers, Globular.