where do you find the motivation to keep up with teaching handwork? how do you keep it interesting and fun for you and the kids.
when you are tired where do you find the strength to "hold" the class?
I found myself frustrated with a few kids today because they STILL just don't get it. we have been in school since Aug. and they should "get it" now.
Alas I was being mean and tired and had no will to be creative or understanding.
I'm not THAT big of a meanie but I do questions "WHAT THE HELL AM I DOING HERE"
now and again.
I have met teachers who are just sooooooo much fun to be around. They are funny and creative and positive ALLLLL the time.....Can I be YOU when I grow up?
Just being real....a moment of realism is a good thing
Awww. I know those moments. You are awesome. I gave you an award yesterday because you rock!!! Check out my blog for details.
ReplyDeleteI just couldn't help smiling...I teach adults at the university in town...but the frustrations are the same. But luckily we only have that feeling from time to time ;O)
ReplyDeleteThis year I seem to have those thoughts often, since my classes have almost all doubled in size and I have no assistant or handwork room...I feel like I used to be that happy teacher, but this year....may be the last year at this rate! :( You are sooo awsome, and your students love you, no doubt!
ReplyDeleteAhh I know the feeling! My fifth grade boys just don't get i t. They have about 18, 40 minute (which is really 25 minutes)classes left to make two mittens. Two boys are still on the first cuff! But then there are the first graders -- waiting, anticipating, cheering when I walk in! (This really is true!)
ReplyDeleteYour advanced knitting group are knitting socks but what are the others doing? Do they have handwork for a whole year or a half year?
How do you teach left handers to crochet? We always taught them to crochet with their right hand but is this right to make them ambidextrous?
Thanks keep on the great work! I love your slippers and lanterns
Ahh I know the feeling! My fifth grade boys just don't get i t. They have about 18, 40 minute (which is really 25 minutes)classes left to make two mittens. Two boys are still on the first cuff! But then there are the first graders -- waiting, anticipating, cheering when I walk in! (This really is true!)
ReplyDeleteYour advanced knitting group are knitting socks but what are the others doing? Do they have handwork for a whole year or a half year?
How do you teach left handers to crochet? We always taught them to crochet with their right hand but is this right to make them ambidextrous?
Thanks keep on the great work! I love your slippers and lanterns
Hi Josephine
ReplyDeleteI have my 5th graders for 1/2 a year. the other half is in wood work and we have 5 classes left to finish their socks.
I teach left handed crochet to left handers. I taught myself to crochet and knit left handed.
I did teach two kids to knit right handed but they do other things with their right hand so it was not a big deal.
2 years ago I had 8 left handed kids in 3rd grade....soo unusual
Thanks what do your "regular" knitters work on? Socks or something else? Do you use sock yarn or bulky yarn? HOW do you get them to knit socks in a half a year? I don't think my 5th graders will finish 2 mittens! Thanks again
ReplyDeleteHi Josephine-
ReplyDeleteI keep this class on a very strict schedule and I have the support of the class teacher and parents. I actually kicked one kid out of class because she kept forgetting her work and missed too many classes. The rest of the group were really shaken by this and pulled it together to focus on their work. I have one child in the group who broke her arm and I have been in debate about what to do with her because it has been 3 weeks with no knitting. She has only finished her cuffs.
we have 4 classes left and the whole class is on the easy part of sock making where you just knit to your pinky toe.
The other half of class will be making hats and recorder classes. Most of the kids in that group were not here in 2 or 3rd grade and didn't get a chance to make a recorder case.
I would suggest keeping them on a schedule....expecting more from them. My kids also have their own patterns with dates next to each page that says when they should be done with that page.