Job Discussion Forums

[FGT]

Gecmis olsun, dmb, I'm with you on this one. Just because we teach people doesn't mean we should have to teach miniature, immature ones. Some of us choose to specialize in teaching fully formed beings.

Damage limitation - word searches, pictures, music, treasure hunts, prizes, etc.

A lot will depend on the kid. Can you get him on side? Does he want to learn? Or is it just expensive child-minding paid for by shi'ty parents of a (probably) shi'ty child? [spelling abberations in response to big brother deleting the mildest of expletives]

Good luck!

[dmb]

[yaramaz]

dmb, my sincerest condolences and apologies. I didnt realise what you were getting yourself into. I have taught quite few of what you have described and they drove me insane. I'd actually prefer a sugar-loopy Turkish boy because at least then some games and goofiness might work. I spent last year trying not to strangle several spoiled little rich girls who didnt like my lessons or my attitude or my clothes or my hair or my voice or the room or... Gaaaaaaaah.

Here's a virtual beer--- westcoast micro brewery pale ale.

[anthyp]

Good luck, dmb. You can handle one tiny little girl, can't you?

Just remember - "Don't let her see you smile until Christmas."

[Ben Round de Bloc]

About a million years ago when I first began teaching fresh out of university the first time, I was a substitute/supply teacher for all grade levels elementary through high school for a semester. It didn't take me long to realize that teaching little kids was not my strong point. I spent the next almost 20 years teaching high school, junior high, and middle school students. Middle school was pushing it for me, but I managed to handle it when I had to.

When I went back to university for my MA in TESOL in my mid-40s, the state in which I lived only had two kinds of certification for ESL: adult education and K-12. I did both of them, because I wanted the option of teaching either high school or adult ESL. I did two practicums, one with adults and one with elementary. They insisited that I do the K-12 practicum in elementary and let me slide on the junior high / high school practicum because I was already doing two practicums and had years of teaching experience at 7-12 level.

The little kids were just as I had remembered them. They were cute from a distance and for a very short period of time. When I was in the classroom with them, there were the constant movement, short attention span, having to go to the bathroom all the time, whining & crying, not to mention how the kids were behaving while I was doing all of those things!

The bottom line to all of this, in my opinion, is that some people are cut out to teach kids and some aren't. Personally, I'll stick with teenagers and adults. Hats off to those who can teach the little ones!

[Roger]

[quote="dmb"]

[dmb]

I just got into the office and have been told that I have to help the kid with her summer maths homework. I am not qualified to teach kids or maths.

[shmooj]

[leeroy]

[dmb]

Dear Dave please erase this thread.

The kid in question was an absolute delight(after the mother had left). She was responsible ,hardworking and charming. She even asked for homework at the end of the lesson.
My new favourite student

[zaneth]

Stay on your toes. But yeah, even rich people can have nice kids. Sometimes the rich people themselves are even nice. I tend to have kind of an attitude about rich people (too much leftist education) but really they can be quite nice. Sometimes they display all the kinds of qualities that we value in people. Some of them appreciate what they have. Some of them have worked hard for what they have and expect their kids to do the same. Perhaps the fear of rich people is similar in some ways to the fear of children.

If you want to think in terms of reincarnation, think of wealth in this life as a reward for generosity in a past one. Might be hard to apply to parents with ill-gotten gains, but it's easy to think of the kids in this way, as deserving of a good birth. And think of it as multiplying your influence. Rich people are often influential. Help them and it can go a long way.

[foster]

I teach High School. Always have. Had a few schools where I taught K to 12 French. I hate little kids as well. I will never have kids of my own. Growing up, my Grade 3 teacher didn't have kids and I always thought that was so hypocritical of a teacher not to want her/his own kids. Now, I know why....

Some kids are so spoilt and horrible, they ruin it for the rest of the nice ones. I like my teenagers. They can talk and be reasonable. Little kids are rotten. Blech.

dmb, I am glad she turned out to be ok. Nothing worse than trying to teach a little prince/princess. Some kids are SO different when mum and dad are around...

[Stephen Jones]

I taught Grades two and three in Riyadh for four years. Loved it! The ages 8-10 are the easiest to teach anywhere. The kids are toilet trained and understand certain commands, but are still young enough to be terrorized if necessary (and I had one class I never had to say a cross word to for the first five months!)

One twelve year old really should be a doddle - getting bored is likely to be the only problem. Like any one-to-one a lot should depend on his/her personality.

[Sekhmet]

I've been teaching little kids for a whole month now (notice the sarcasm...), and I have to admit there are times I consider the pros and cons of mass genocide...
Kids aren't bad. On their own, or even groups af 3 or 4, they're great fun!!! But get twenty 5 or 6 year olds in a class, and you're just asking for trouble...
I think I've just about got them trained now!!! Still looking for discipline tips tho, if anyone has any ideas (I have searched, and tried the tricks, but most don't work with KG kids!!!)...
I would love to be teaching 12 year olds. A full class of 12 year olds would be a relief!!! But only 3 weeks left of summer school - I can get through this!!!

[waxwing]

I agree, between 8-9ish and puberty, kids can be a real joy to teach.

That's not much of a window, is it?