Teaching Year 1

Teaching Year 1 kids can be the hardest task there is in this world, especially when you are dealing with my class where every teacher has every reason to complain.

My Year 1 class consists of 14 kids, 8 girls and 6 boys. There are 3 who are generally smarter where learning for them is done without much repetition. So, I rank them the smart ones. However, there are two girls in this class who have difficulty learning. One of them is autistic though not medically proven, while the other one is categorized as slow learner. The rest of the girls are generally alright in their learning ability.

Now, the boys. Out of the 6 boys, 2 of them are hyperactive. Sitting still and keeping quiet are the hardest things to do for them. If I do a reading exercise on spelling and phonics, you can be sure their eyes are not on the words, but everywhere else except the words. Use rotan? Never work. Been there, done that, failed. Use more attractive materials? Yes, for the first few seconds. After that, their eyes are elsewhere again. Chose them to be leaders of groupwork? They don’t even know ABC’s, concentrate or even what task it is.

What’s up with the other four boys? They are ok at first. But slowly, I can see the hyperactive disease of the formers slowly seeps into the latter. So now all the boys become active and naughty and even lazy.

Everyday, not one teacher that comes out from Year 1 would say the class has been quiet that day. But instead, they would feel much more exhausted after having to scold them, lecture them, and instruct them repetitively in doing one thing. Until today, every teacher that comes out from Year 1 would compliment them on their obedience or quietness. This goes the same to me too.

But this bunch of kids can sometimes be amazing. Though given all these scolding and punishments, the kids did not appear to hate their teachers. Nor would they have a grudge on teachers. Every morning, they are the ones who will run to the car park and help us teachers carry our books and bags. They are the first ones that make you smile in the morning, as they are the first ones to greet you morning and carry your bags. Then, the whole troop of them will follow you to the staff room.

Kids are kids. They always look innocent and pure and their faces are as though written ‘I’ve no worries yo!’.

There were times when these kids took my breath away. There were times when these kids taught me to be more patience. And there were times when these kids talked Iban language to me, and when I showed no response, they laughed at my confused face. And more importantly, these kids challenged me how to be creative in teaching them how to learn.

And most importantly, these kids have taught me to give them sufficient and effective attention they need to complete a task. I found that Year 1 kids are especially in need of more attention. They are what I categorize them as the Attention Seekers. By showing them extra attention and care, you’ll see that there is a difference in their learning attitude. One thing is that the kids will know that they are being taken cared of and loved, and this gives them the confidence to finish up the task.

So if anyone were to tell me teaching Year 1 is the most challenging task there is in school, I am on your side.

And where there is love, there’s hope.

*She is Libia - the cutest attention seeker in class*

*from left: Mattgus, Miketyson (it's no joke k. that's his name), Nurul Atikah, Uridah & Betty*

*Uridah & Betty: the brainiest girls in class*