TeachingEnglish
My presentation is so boring
Submitted by nahla_shaw on 31 January, 2012 - 17:57
I asked my 9th grade students to read a story of their choice and give a presentation about it. One of my top students began her presentation by showing the class a flashcard and asking them about it. Then she moved on to a summary of the story and every time she started a chapter she hung up a flashcards depicting all the events. Her presentation lasted about 30 minutes. Every 5 minutes she looked at me for reassurance and to make sure that I am not feeling bored. Every time she took a glance at me, I smiled, she smiled and continued.
After class, she came to me and said, "I know I have failed, the students were very bored". I answered, "you prepared the story perfectly, told me details, prepared flashcards and asked questions. Why do you think they were bored?". She said that she could feel it. I then explained to her, that the students were not bored, but she felt that because she thought she was taking too much of their time and I could tell from her facial expressions. I continued to explain that even if she thinks it is boring, she must put a mask on, she must show her classmates that she enjoys it and is having fun telling the story. I continued my comments saying that for me, her presentation was more than perfect and her language is so great because she has prepared so well for this.
This event not only made me realize that it is all about positive reinforcement and encouragement, but it made me aware of another important issue, acting. If I am not mistaken, this is what we all do. We are actors and we often wear masks, we never show our students sadness or give any hint of a problem during the lesson. Do you wear a mask too?
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Comments
Dear nahla shaw,thanks for your post! You really touch the good point & I appreciate your way. the same for me,too;)As a teacher we should do our best for our Ss ;) Keep sharing!
Dear Lemanulas,
I love your comments, you are so nice. Thank you for commenting :)
Nahla
I'm sure that student went home feeling sooo good and eager to try again!
Good for you!
Naomi
Dear nahla, thanks for your positive&nice ideas;) You are so nice,too ;)I'm happy to hear this;)
Thank you for this great post. I partly agree with you. As teachers we should be energetic, understanding and enthusiastic all the time, because our class is our stage. We should not forget that we are not robots, but humans. We can have hard times being sick, sad, depressed, tired, sleepless and so on. If I am really sad or depressed, I usually share this with my students. I mean not the details about the reasons, but I just say it is one of those bad days and ask for their understanding. I also do that if I am sick and most of the times they are helpful. I believe this is a part of teaching as well. They learn to care and to be helpful.
yes, Nahla, sometimes we need mask.
my students always tell me about my "feeling condition".
When I'm thinkfull they immediately realise and warn me.
We should be vey careful and hide our main condition
Dear Naomi,
Thank you for your comment. Yes, she is a very good student. She did offer to try again as well.
Nahla
I'm sure that student went home feeling sooo good and eager to try again!
Good for you!
Naomi
Dear Merveoflaz,
You make a good point there. You certainly teach students how to care for others that way, but I still prefer to show them that I am excited, happy and hide these kinds of feelings. It depends on the age of the students as well. Which grades are you teaching?
Thank you for your comment.
Nahla
Thank you for this great post. I partly agree with you. As teachers we should be energetic, understanding and enthusiastic all the time, because our class is our stage. We should not forget that we are not robots, but humans. We can have hard times being sick, sad, depressed, tired, sleepless and so on. If I am really sad or depressed, I usually share this with my students. I mean not the details about the reasons, but I just say it is one of those bad days and ask for their understanding. I also do that if I am sick and most of the times they are helpful. I believe this is a part of teaching as well. They learn to care and to be helpful.
I agree with you. Students can sense everything. If I show them that I am sad or thinking about something else, it will frustrate them. So a mask is probably a must to hide our problems from them.
Thanks for the reply
Nahla
yes, Nahla, sometimes we need mask.
my students always tell me about my "feeling condition".
When I'm thinkfull they immediately realise and warn me.
We should be vey careful and hide our main condition