24 Oct, 2007
But still…
Posted by teacherjulie @ 8:18 pm
Shelved under Being a (Special Ed) Teacher, Bits and Pieces, My Thoughts, special education

A few weeks ago, I wrote this post entitled Short Term Memory. This afternoon, I was reminded about how this is very important in learning.

How?

Students regularly take tests: weekly short quizzes, bi-weekly long quizzes, chapter tests, mastery tests, preliminary tests, midterms,finals, periodical tests. Whatever these are called, trying to study, cramming everything learned and listened to in the brains. Mnemonics, yoga, drinking of caffeine-loaded drinks to keep awake, even writing important facts on craft paper and tape these on the walls just so facts won’t be forgotten. I remember people even saying to put your notes under your people to be able to memorize important details for tests, LOL! But still, do we remember everything?

But what if, we forget?

How often do we tend to forget?

I have a student. Young. Sweet. Tries her best to concentrate studying. I explain concepts taken up in school. Her nanny and I are like partners. For periodical tests, we split the two subjects to study for the test days. We expect the child to do fairly well but still…its as if nothings sinks in.

I am getting frustrated sometimes.

We do everything to help but still…

Sometimes I ask myself, is it me?

Or is it me? We do everything to help her but still…

This entry was posted on Wednesday, October 24th, 2007 at 8:18 pm and is filed under Being a (Special Ed) Teacher, Bits and Pieces, My Thoughts, special education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

Permalink | 2 Comments
25 Oct, 2007 @ 12:20 am
annamanila said:

Aww you really get involved Teacher Julie. And how come you blame yourself? But there are other school professionals to refer special cases to, di ba? Like the psychologist or guidance counselor. Together you would be able to know if the child has some deeper dysfunction? Ay naku, I know you know all these and more. Nakikialam lang po. :)

  • Thing is, Mom is not here, AM. But I told the child she has to “clean up her act” because I know she is not that “low-level” in terms of cognitive abilities. Her learning style may not fit in the school’s teaching style. I hope.

25 Oct, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
ann said:

hi julie! i don’t think that the problem is you. there are a lot of possible factors why she seems not to get what you’re teaching her. the environment at home could contribute fairly much. maybe, she just needs a little more encouragement other than from you. but don’t blame yourself. i’m sure you’re doing your best to help her.

  • Ann, thanks for the kind words.The nanny has been with her for years, and is quite supportive of her though little strict since Mom is overseas. Sometimes I think the child can’t even enjoy being a child, no time to play or relax, its all “study” “memorize” “read” since she can’t seem to remember the facts she has studied. Me personally? I prefer she be transferred to another school because her learning style doesn’t really suit the teaching style of the school. Sigh.

Leave a Reply