Quote:
|
Originally Posted by theanimaster
In my class for the 'Christmas Season' lessons I'm making the students do a pop-up Christmas card. Not your usual boring pop-up either. This one is really "3D" pop-up, not just some flat thing that pops-up, but rather a criss-cross bunch of pieces that pop-up to form a solid shape. Well, so much for explanations anyways.
So what happens?
First week, 90 percent -- NINETY PERCENT don't bring shit to class. This despite me telling them, writing it on the board, having them recite what was written on the board, and having the Thai teacher tell them what it is. That's 50 students a class and only 5 students bring their materials. No money to buy materials? Bullshit. I had the assistant teacher collect the money so they can have something for the next week to work on (only get one period a week per class).
Second week. Still, most of the students don't have their stuff, even though we've bought the stuff for them. Keep in mind that this is a SPECIAL kind of card that you don't find just anywhere. This particular pattern (a gift box) is also dead-easy to make and put together. Some students are finished with their cards -- well fuck, I told them NOT to try it themselves (that's the whole point of the class) so in the end they have crappy-looking, smudgey-poop-for-cards. Mary Crhrtimas Mam and Dod.
I'm in the third week now. Out of 50 students per class, it seems only 2-3 managed a proper-looking greeting card.
So fuck having something nice and clever as motivation. The only thing that will motivate these losers are ILLEGAL DRUGS and MONEY. I've wasted my time on trying out nice things with them.. and hey, I'll continue to waste my time because I get paid for it, and that's all the school really cares about -- keeping these losers company.
|
I do sympathise. when you put the effort in your no reward its frustrating as hell. The first thing I learnt here is don't trust a thai teacher to communicate anything. Here for me the best policy is to buy stuff yourself because left to their own devices students won't always remember. I buy everything myself and charge the kids if necessary. I bought 120 dictionaries and sold them to every kids in the school so now they all have the same. If I make a resouces they want, they pay for the cost of the copying. I know schools should provide but same in the west if you wait around for those pencils, you'll be waiting a long time. You shouldn't have to buy your own stuff but particuarly here, consumables like paper, pencils seem to be the last thing in the budget. It does pay to invest. As regards the cards, you're doing it as a treat. try to remember the minority who are motivated and do their best. These are the kids you're doing it for. the rest find a tie consuming dull activity to keep them quiet. when they see the others making cards and doing something fun, its funny how many seem to get interested. Thai students always want to do the same thing. When the tasks are split its amazing how quickly the odd ones out seem to develop a better attitude. Just my experience