Got back last night from a brilliant trip to Agra. The bus journey there and back was in itself an education. Driving through rural areas it was fascinating to see people making their living in the fields, with animals and carts of goods to sell. All the while, all the women dressed in bright gem like colours. Despite it being very poor here, the array of colour everywhere really does change everything.
We woke up at 6am to see the Taj Mahal. This exceeded all my expectations and if any of you (who haven't already been) get the chance to go; jump at it. I would already love to go back. Having seen the image of it so many times in magazines, television etc, it was such a treat to see it first hand. We had a brilliant guide who helped us get some pro photos too, so he was worth his weight! We had a whole day of sightseeing after that and after some dinner, headed to a music and craft festival. Girl shopping heaven. One of the things that has really surprised me here is how taken aback Indian people (or certainly those in Rajastan so far) are when they see westerners- even in a tourist town like Agra. At the festival we were basically mobbed. We got sent to the front of the very long queue as "VIP's" and once inside, I had my photo taken about 10 times with various people who giggled with embarrassment at the sight of a group of white people. One guy handed me his poor baby son (I literally had no choice but to take him) and about 5 people took photos on their mobiles. I knew I would be famous one day ;-)
I was back at school this morning helping the kids prepare for some exams they have coming up. Specifically we were learning about opposites and words which rhyme. They were pretty well behaved today which was such a relief. On Friday I totally lost control of them, it was a nightmare, I had no idea what to do, I couldn't wait to get out of there- white girl running through the slum! One of the teachers in charge has asked me if I have any specific ideas about how they can discipline the children properly "without hitting them." They do have issues with certain pupils and with controlling the children in general. The problems of course start at home and if there is no discipline there, there is not likely to be any in school either. Most of the kids get beaten at home which solves little in the long run. She says they do try to talk to the parents about individual cases but their attitudes are pretty indifferent, just glad to have them away from the house. Any ideas from the teachers/parents among you?? Advice would be much appreciated...
I will write another update later this week. I am planning another weekend trip, this time to Udaipur- south of Jaipur. It's meant to be stunning. It's a 12hr bus ride though, so still debating that one.
Loads of love to you all x
We woke up at 6am to see the Taj Mahal. This exceeded all my expectations and if any of you (who haven't already been) get the chance to go; jump at it. I would already love to go back. Having seen the image of it so many times in magazines, television etc, it was such a treat to see it first hand. We had a brilliant guide who helped us get some pro photos too, so he was worth his weight! We had a whole day of sightseeing after that and after some dinner, headed to a music and craft festival. Girl shopping heaven. One of the things that has really surprised me here is how taken aback Indian people (or certainly those in Rajastan so far) are when they see westerners- even in a tourist town like Agra. At the festival we were basically mobbed. We got sent to the front of the very long queue as "VIP's" and once inside, I had my photo taken about 10 times with various people who giggled with embarrassment at the sight of a group of white people. One guy handed me his poor baby son (I literally had no choice but to take him) and about 5 people took photos on their mobiles. I knew I would be famous one day ;-)
I was back at school this morning helping the kids prepare for some exams they have coming up. Specifically we were learning about opposites and words which rhyme. They were pretty well behaved today which was such a relief. On Friday I totally lost control of them, it was a nightmare, I had no idea what to do, I couldn't wait to get out of there- white girl running through the slum! One of the teachers in charge has asked me if I have any specific ideas about how they can discipline the children properly "without hitting them." They do have issues with certain pupils and with controlling the children in general. The problems of course start at home and if there is no discipline there, there is not likely to be any in school either. Most of the kids get beaten at home which solves little in the long run. She says they do try to talk to the parents about individual cases but their attitudes are pretty indifferent, just glad to have them away from the house. Any ideas from the teachers/parents among you?? Advice would be much appreciated...
I will write another update later this week. I am planning another weekend trip, this time to Udaipur- south of Jaipur. It's meant to be stunning. It's a 12hr bus ride though, so still debating that one.
Loads of love to you all x
meate, it all sounds pretty eye opening. and like you're having an amaze time. Looking forward to seeing your professional photos! Not sure I can help with the teaching skills! Looking forward to your next installment. Miss ya dude.
ReplyDeletexxx
MAAATTTE- just posted a long note and then the screen went blank. ARGH.
ReplyDeleteRight the basics of what I was saying was:
GEt on the bus and go on the 12 hour trip. It will be AMAZING and you'll never do it again! Your blog is making me laugh a lot!! The highlights of this recent read are:
1. The thought of you signing to a class!
2. The thought of you going cold turkey........don't know how you are doing it, when I went to Libya and couldnt get a drink for a week I wanted it MORE THAN EVER and resorted to drinking no alcoholic beer. Ergh, shudder at the thought!
3. You being papped whilst holiday a random baby. GENIUS. Best bit. Laughed hard.
Keep up the good work. SO gutted I cant come the weekend you have free. We can thank the in laws for that.
Love you so much xxxx
p.s How will you ever go to Val on the back of this?!
Sounds eventful Em!
ReplyDeleteA few words of advice on discipline (harder depending on their language levels):
Positive praise works very well. Go over the top when someone does something well, make a big deal of it, especially with the ones who cause trouble. Be consistent and you'll see a change - everyone loves praise.
Find something the naughty ones like and if the structure allows it then use this as an incentive (let them have more time doing something they like or let them lead a song/get some attention in some way etc) basically a reward system (do you have a whiteboard or anything like that? I put a points system with their all names on and have a good side and a bad side either side of their name) Just picking up the pen/chalk will have an effect with most of them, they'll want to earn a good point or avoid a bad point. Person/top 3/top 5 etc with most points get a prize or reward.
Opposite to the carrot is using the stick so when you find something they really like then threaten to (and do if they push it) take it away from them, don't let them take part etc.
If it's an indiviudal pupil then you can make a deal with them - give them a target before a lesson (could be as simple as sit and listen or it could be to complete a task) and give them a reward (point etc)if they manage it and they work towards getting a reward. (similar to the above idea really)
Whole class - clap and click a rhythm and teach them to copy you and understand they are quiet when you do this, keep clapping and clicking until they are quiet. Don't speak unless they are silent if you can - you need to develop a glare to help certain children along with this.
Get a bell/tambourine/instrument and teach them that when you hit this they are quiet.
Count down from 5/10 (use your fingers too) and they have to be quiet at the end.
Pick one or two of those that work (if they do at all) and rotate them.
If they are going completely over the top then do something crazy infront/in the middle of them - a dance/a song/ act like a chicken/anything, once they all inevitably look at you then address them.
You can manufacture a change just by thinking about speaking in a louder/more projected way/ standing straight and using your presence to let the children know you're boss. If you're conscious of standing and speaking in this way it will transfer to the children.
In the short time you have try to develop a relationship with them as much as possible, get them to laugh/like you and you're winning, but practice your mean streak to pull out when you need it.
Do whatever you can to make a lesson interesting, think outside the box if you can - use the children as a resource and don't always have them sat down writing/reading or whatever, get them up and about.
Some/all of this may not work, it's hard to tell given the huge difference there must be in an Indian school but I hope at least some of it is useful. Keep smiling!
Lots of love x