Hello there! I'm Mr Watson and I would like to share some stories with you.
Have you ever wondered why it seems easier to settle down and learn in some classrooms, while in others it is more difficult?
And what that has to do with you?
Read here about the learning environments in three different classrooms, and see whether you have experienced any of them.
We can compare a classroom to a see-saw (mzwinki)
In classroom 1 there is no discipline at all, making it very difficult to concentrate and learn.
In classroom 3, the learners are practising self-discipline while receiving guidance and encouragement from the educator.
This helps them to enjoy the learning area, achieve their best in it and support other classmates to achieve their best too.
What type of seesaw is your classroom?
Do you feel you have any influence on your learning environment?
Jot down your answers.
The discipline in the classroom is also dependent on your own self-discipline. You can influence the learning environment for the better by practising self-discipline.
Ask yourself if any of the following situations apply to you:
Do you hang out with friends who have no dreams for their futures, or who have done nothing constructive after finishing school? Then it is likely that you too will lack the self-confidence you need to make a success of your life. This will make it easier for you to be disruptive in class.
Or are you trying to deal with difficult circumstances at home? Then it is possible that you are too tired or too worried to give your school work enough attention.
Or are you already feeling bad about your poor achievement in class? Then it is likely that any attempt by the educator to discipline you – or one of your friends – will make you angry.
Re-read the last four slides and after each one ask yourself:
Is any part of this true for me?
Now I will tell you four true stories:
For every story, think as you read:
1)What is really happening here?
2)Have you done anything that has contributed to this situation?
and she storms out of the class, slamming the door behind her.
Hey guys! Did you hear what Mr Smith said to our friend Siphiwe yesterday? Calling him a “domkop” just because he failed the test!
Ja! That freaked me out…I mean, he has no idea what Siphiwe is going through at home since his Mom died.
I agree…he’s just a stupid teacher anyway; all he cares about is the car he drives.
The next day in class Tsweleng, Eric, Tshepo, Siphiwe and three of their other friends lie in their desks, not paying attention to the lesson and making rude comments about Mr Smith under their breath.
Lerato agrees only to discover that what Mr Malepeng really wants is for her to agree to a sexual relationship with him, in exchange for him upgrading her marks.
Story 4
News report:
“In a survey conducted among teachers in South Africa recently, it has been found that four out of five teachers want to leave teaching, as they are no longer able to cope with the stress of teaching. Three out of five teachers regularly take anti-depressants.
Imagine... these are all true stories!
Now ask yourself as well:
in which story or stories do you see negative peer pressure?
Do you think the stories would be any different if, instead of negative peer pressure there was a positive peer influence on the learners?
Let me introduce Reginald, he has a true story about positive role-models.
Reginald is presently completing a degree in computer science at the University of Technology in Vanderbijlpark.
Sibusiso Nkosi was my positive role-model.
When I was in Grade 10 he was already working.
He lived in my neighbourhood and we used to spend a lot of time talking about life, the importance of studying, the world of work…. even about girls!
He encouraged me to get up early in the morning to study. We would buy newspapers together – not the ones that just have gossip in them – but the ones where we could look at the classified and business sections so we could see what kinds of jobs are available.
What I liked most about Sibusiso was the respect he showed everyone.
He even showed me respect by asking my opinions on certain things in his life, even though I was much younger than him.”
Thanks for sharing Reginald! I am glad we could end up with a positive example.
Make sure you understand how you can influence your own future!
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