RAPID READING STRATEGIES I USE FOR MY STUDENTS

                 

Teaching a student to read is one of those difficult tasks a teacher will have to deal with. With over 10 years experience in teaching I have come to realize methods that work best and promotes rapid learning. They are:

ENGAGING STUDENTS IN CLASS

Just sitting quietly and taking in instruction in class are simply not enough to learn adequately. Research has demonstrated that engaging students in the learning process increases their attention and focus, motivates them to practice higher-level critical thinking skills and promotes meaningful learning experiences. Active learning requires students to participate in class. 

The teacher can make this possible by employing brief question-and-answer sessions, discussion integrated into the  lecture, impromptu writing assignments and hands-on activities. Applying these strategies with real effort on the part of the teacher, will facilitate learning and enhance retention of the material. Also, the students will thoroughly enjoy the lesson as against just sitting for hours absorbing information which soon turns out to be boring.

DOES FLOGGING OF STUDENTS ENHANCE LEARNING?

IN Nigerian society it is a common practice for parents to flog their children whenever and wherever they do wrong. In effect, the cane has become a tool to discourage bad behavior. Even the Bible, somehow, supports this mode of discipline when it says ‘spare the rod and spoil the child’. But when it comes to education flogging should be seen in a different light. Some teachers go beyond using the cane to adjust behavior to using it when a student fails a Math problem or is slow to grasp a certain lesson.

In this instance, flogging the student does no good than to instill fear on him or her. I don’t see how it will open up the students brain for quick assimilation. If the student is grappling with a Math problem, the use of threat of flogging will only make the student uncomfortable and prone to make more mistakes. Here, the teacher should employ tact and patience. Go the extra-mile to explain repeatedly the lesson until the student grasps the point.

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN

Many years ago when I was in Junior Secondary School 1(JSS 1) in Ogbonmwan Group of schools, Benin City, the principal wanted us to memorise the times table. He was good at flogging and disciplining students who fail to carry out his assignment perfectly. This instilled fear in most of us and so had to learn it by all means. In so doing, I memorized it and was able to recite it when it was due. In this regard, the threat of cane motivated me and others to action. This situation is quite different from the scenario earlier described.

What do you think, am I right with my assumptions? We value your feedback. Drop your comment below. Or call 07031384722 for a consultation.

MARATHON LEARNING IN NIGERIA- ITS IMPLICATION

Over the course of many years, I have observed with disappointment, how children are subjected to long hours of learning in the classroom. This is the norm in most private schools in Nigeria. Therefore, I write to register my displeasure and also offer advice on how to reverse this trend.

OVERVIEW OF THE SITUATION

Most children arrive home late each day from school. Sometimes, 5:00pm daily. It will amaze you to know that lessons in school start as early as 8:30am. After the normal closing hour, say by 2:00pm, the students are now subjected to extra lessons which take two hours or more. This is not the best way to impart knowledge on young ones. In fact, the children are been over stretched. 

This method is counter productive. The brain gets saturated after some hours, and from this point onward any other assimilation becomes difficult. That is why with even so much learning, the students still perform poorly. The truth is the children need some rest, or even a nap to relax their brain after learning for some hours. In fact, they need time to do personal studies at home. 

On the contrary, they arrive home late everyday tired and exhausted. The only thing they are able to do at this point is eat, bathe, watch some television programmes and go to bed. The next day, the vicious circle is ignited.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Rigorous or marathon learning does not help the child. Call 07031384722 for a consultation.

TEACHERS’ DAY: A TIME TO LOOK INTO THE SITUATION

Teachers all over the world are doing a wonderful job. They are future builders. Virtually all professionals in the world were, in some way, shaped by teachers. Indeed, we all owe teachers a depth of gratitude. Therefore, celebrating teachers once a year is not enough. It should go beyond this level. In fact, during teachers’ day it is common to make many promises to teachers. But after the frenzy, the government fall back to their old ways, instead of working actively to better the life of teachers.

CONCERNS ABOUT TEACHERS

1.       Accommodation: most teachers do not have a house of their own. Even after retirement some are still not able to have their own shelter. Government, as a matter of urgency, should do something about it.

2.       Their salary is poor: I feel very sad to talk about this. Why should teachers be paid poorly? Is there service less important than that of doctors, lawyers, engineers? Government should wake up and act fast.

3.       Their learning environment is poor: in most private and public schools teachers are made to work in less than conducive environment. This situation affects the overall morale of the teacher and thus affect his performance in the classroom.

4.       Most private schools  treat teachers badly: some are subjected to a slavery-like situation. They work tirelessly everyday only to be given a token as salary. The government should close down schools that cannot measure up to good salary structure for their teachers. 

Drop your comment below or call 07031384722 for a consultation.

5 THINGS SCHOOL ADMINISTRATORS MUST NEVER DO TO TEACHERS

Teachers are doing a great job shaping young lives. To do their job effectively, they should not be subjected to the following kind of treatment:

1.       Shouting at the teacher. Teachers do their best to be responsible and project the right image. Hence, they deserve respect from administrators. Shouting at them, for whatever reason, makes them feel bad. They might begin to regret working under you. Worse still, they may start to resent their noble profession. In fact, if a situation like this continues for a time, they look for opportunity to leave the school in search for a better job elsewhere.

2.       Humiliating teachers before parents. This can make the teacher feel unloved and worthless. Also, the parent who witnessed this poor treatment on the teacher will hardly respect the teacher.

3.       Not accepting the teacher’s innovative or creative input. Since teachers are stakeholders, their idea or opinion about the  school should be respected. This way they feel a sense of belonging and feel highly valued.

4.       Scolding your teacher in the presence of  students. Students should have high regards for their teacher. However, doing this becomes difficult if the administrator harshly scolds his teacher before the students. In fact, the teacher will feel humiliated or embarrassed. If scolding is at all necessary, it should be done privately.

5.       Delaying teachers’ salary. This treatment hurts more than the others. Nothing makes them more likely to search for employment elsewhere than paying the teacher in piecemeal or even delaying their salary altogether.

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