Thursday, March 26, 2009

Thursday Thirteen

As you know, mom teaches karate. Most times, mom assists the teacher. She is cool with that. She is good at that. Well, last night Mom was the main teacher. Her teacher was not feeling well, and mom got to run the entire class. She was really nervous. She did okay. Some parts she did better than others. As far as first times go, though, she didn't suck pond water, so she feels okay.

Anyway, here are Thirteen Things to remember when you have to teach a class. All by yourself. For the very first time.

1) Be calm and BREATHE!

2) Short answers are best, unless it is a really good question and then you share the question and answer with the entire class.

3) RELAX!

4) Teach to the lowest denomination.

5) Be aware of time.

6) Repetition and motion over speeches.

7) Run the form with them, do not leave them on their own.

8) Teach them the pace of the form.

9) Use the correct terminology.

10) You cannot help one student and keep the others idle.

11) The ENTIRE class is your responsibility.

12) When you are done with the talk, if it sounded good, then shutting up is okay. You do not need to keep repeating yourself.

13) RELAX!

Phew. Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. Mom needs to remember these for the next time. So she thought maybe she could share with you. If any of you are teachers, she would love any advice you have to offer.

16 comments:

Karen Jo said...

I am sure that your Mom did very well her first time teaching all by herself. Those are 13 very good things to remember while teaching.

Suzuki said...

BOL I'm sure your Mum did much better than she thinks :)
Big licks to you
Suzuki
xxx

The WriggleButts said...

I'm sure your mom did very well - it always feel a bit harder from your view than from the pupils view! And it's good to feel a bit nervous and stuff - you don't want to feel you're great because then you most likely are not very good. ;)

Purrs,
Virus (and Mom)

Chase said...

I'm sure you did pawesome! Teaching can be nervewracking at times...my mommy teaches high school English so she should know! Those are excellent rules to follow. :-)

Sniffs and licks,

Chase

Unknown said...

My first day teaching a college class I thought I was going to PASS OUT!! But the students really seemed to love it and after a few class sessions I realized that they had none of the anxiety that I did, so I should just let it go.
One thing I learned in teaching is to always make room for questions and don't just say "any questions??", give it half a second and the move on. It takes people a while to either think of a question or form it in their head the right way, so now when I say "Any questions???" I look around the entire room, making eye contact with each student, giving them at least 5-10 second to really THINK about a question they might have. It helps, because inevitably someone DOES have a question after they've been given time to think about it.

Nevis said...

I'm sure you did awesome! :)

Archie and Melissa said...

hi roxy!

oh we wish we could take your mom's class!

she is so wonderful. the class is so lucky to have her.

xoxox
melissa

Too Cute Pugs said...

Our Mommy taught an aquafit class last year after not teaching fitness for a long time. She was sooooo nervous - her problem is when she gets nervous she talks too fast and she gets worried she's going to forget the routine. Luckily, people were happy just splashing around in the pool so it worked out.

We bet your Mom did great! Happy TT!!!

Pug love from,
Pearl & Daisy

Daisy said...

Your mom is brave! I'll bet the first time is the hardest and after this, she'll be a pro.

Kelly said...

Those are WONDERFUL words of wisdom about teaching! I think your Momma is sharper than she realizes, Roxy!

Anonymous said...

I bet you did just great!!

Rosie said...

My daddy and one of the littles takes Tae Kwon Do and they know how hard it is to teach a clas - especially if it is all little people. I am sure your mom did great and will get better and better with experience.

Anonymous said...

congrats on teaching your first class. its really hard to get up in front of people and 'splain stuff!

wax on! wax off!

Mickey's Musings said...

We bet your Mom did a great job!!!!
Nerves just make you nervous!!! heeheehee
Mom would be nervous too ;)
Purrs Mickey,Georgia & Tillie

Tweedles -- that's me said...

Hi there, my mommie does not like to talk at all. she had to run a meeting at work this week for 30 minutes each day- she hated it and kept forgetting to breathe. She will take you list of instuctions to work with her to remind her for when it happens again. I know your mom rocked!
love
tweedles

Sandra y Coco Pug said...

hi Roxy! I am sure your mom did GREAT teaching her first time. I wish I could give her some advice but well, I guess it's all the way around! I'll keep this list of steps when I have a chance to use it.