Forming a bond and getting inspired and energised...

After teaching for many many years, it is natural to feel jaded and sometimes too comfortable with how things are. I have not been a Form Teacher for a few years now and even though the current Form Teachers have voiced out their frustrations in handling the discipline of their charges amidst the many things that Form teachers need to do, I somehow miss having a class to 'belong' to. My last Form Class was the infamous 4E6 in 2008, with the likes of Shahanand and Naresh and of course the cute but noisy Malay boys.

I think this year I feel that I have formed a close bond with the 4N2. They are a cosy group of 23 students, very pleasant and very eager to impress. I have taught some of them when they were in Sec 1N and Sec 2N3. Their 2010 results were not really pleasing but I feel that if I can win them over and form a bond with them, we should be able to go to greater heigths for this year and next.

The class is a made up of 3 VH students who I think are really hardworking and are doing better than the non-VH students. There is also the class clown in the form of S. He is used to me asking him to zip up for a period of 5 minutes at a time if he goes off tangent...( for e.g. he would just say Ho Ho Ho Merry Xmas in the middle of the lesson....sighhh but I guess the class will not be as adorable without him) There is also SK whom I had taught in Sec 1N. She had not passed any of the tests that I had given then but this Term she surprised me with passing almost all of her tests and even being in the top 3 positions for a test! Bravo! There is also M who finds that the school rules are getting "more ridiculous".

Every Friday we have 2 extra periods. I have decided to make use of these periods for revision even though 5 students will be away for their POA lesson. The Friday session is also like a bonding session for me with the class. After making sure that one period is used for revision, the next period will be slightly 'free and easy'.  For the past few Fridays I have played 'Simon Says', used the white boards for simple quizzes and also reward them with sweets and chocolates for staying focused in the first period. Last week I decided to bring them for a walk around the school during the last 20 mins. We walked past the Sec 4E5,4E6 and the Sec 1s who are all on the same 4th Level, then to the 2nd floor passing by some Sec 2E classes and then through the Hall and then passing by the Staff Room, then up to the third floor for a toilet break and then passing by Sec 4E2,4E3 and 4E4 and then back to their class. What was the reason for this trip?

Firstly I saw that everyone was really feeling exhausted, tired, sleepy,etc....after going through the worksheet that I had given them to do for homework the previous lesson. Maybe a walk will wake them up. Secondly I wanted them to notice the things around them. I wanted them to notice how the students in the classes that we pass by are behaving and focusing during lesson time. I also want them to be inspired by the Plaque bearing the names of Top Students for the past 10 years. One of them asked if it is possible to have an N(A)'s student name on it. I told them it is possible but it comes with a lot of hard work. I challenged them to set a precedent. I hope they have enough hope, confidence and will to take up this challenge. Then after the toilet break, I took some photos of them as a class at the study area. After reaching their classroom, the bell rang for us to go home.

I feel that I have managed to form a close bond with them. They are willing to stay back for the time needed to finish an assignment. They never fail to call out or greet me when I meet them around the school. They are also very willing to attend SRP (Nobody has tried to escape from SRP for this term.Some even ask forextra coaching....)

As for me, I feel a bit energised by some of the non-routine things that I do with this class. I am inspired and encouraged by the hardworking VH students. I am determined and will domy best to make sure that we have a shot at getting our name on that Top Student plaque.....