Feeling a bit like two off-kilter Cinderellas, we carefully slipped our feet into the rather large shoes of the teachers we so often infuriated. Standing in front of the board, grasping pieces of chalk, we willed the fairy Godmother to pop in with a few words of sound teaching advice or perhaps a miracle. However, it came in a different way than we had expected, taking the form of rows of chipper, expectant faces, which melted our anxiety into a puddle at our feet. It took us all of two minutes to relax completely into our comfort zone. I don't think we would, as a class, have achieved this friendly atmosphere had the students been the epitome of obedience and perfection. Instead, a lovable group of mischievous youngsters chatting animatedly reflected back aspects of us, dispelling our worries. That is not to say, in any way, that the task at hand was anything less than exasperating.
The biggest obstacle that stares us down is linguistic communication. Social studies, which is a package deal that accommodates history, geography and civics demands a broad perspective of the English language. To overcome the language barrier, a natural situation formed itself in class. We encourage the students to speak in all languages if they have a doubt or wish to express themselves. Then, we translate it into English. Though the students keep urging us to speak in English (more at horrification at our broken Kannada, we think, than anything else), our utmost desire is to grant the gift of comprehension, that exhilaration that follows when you grasp a concept.
We are proud to say that today, we initiated our 'ByteSize Technology' project. The students discussed basic computing components as well the layout of an e-mail. After doses of our theory, we plan to bring in the practical aspect by Monday.
“Hope is the thing with feathers, that perches in the soul, and sings the tune without words, and never stops at all.”
-Emily Dickinson
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