350 Students Aged 5-13

Teaching rotary drama at Runnymede means that I will teach over 350 kids, ages 5 to 13. It's a tall order and mentally and physically demanding to finish a period with the grades 1's and switch gears for the grade 8's two minutes later. But there is no better to way to become familiar with the scope and breadth of teaching. I am fortunate in that all the conditions are in place for an optimal practicum experience. Runnymede is a great school, I'm teaching my teachable subject and my AT is is positive, supportive and insightful. When the conditions are seemingly perfect, how can I go wrong?

The challenge for the drama classroom, and this is true of almost every class in every grade, is that classroom management is different than in rooms with rows of desks. Perhaps the idea of drama class is more relaxed and students feel they can take a break from structure. Perhaps sitting next to each other on risers provides the irresistible temptation to chat and fool around. Whatever the reason, classroom management and audience etiquette become the primary focus of the class. My challenge for the week is getting comfortable with being uncomfortable.

I have spent years on stage and I am comfortable with public speaking. Getting up walking students through our activities is not an issue. My teaching persona is unflappable. I am authoritative and confident. What I didn't realize was how difficult it is to stand in front of a group of 30 students, ask for silence and then wait for silence. My first day I rushed through attendance and warm-ups. I knew what I had to do and I wanted to get it done. But doing so meant that I wasn't getting their full attention and respect and that I wasn't giving as detailed instructions as I could have. So now I stand with my arm up, asking for silence and waiting for it. I add demonstrations to my instructions to make sure the students understand and I take my time with each activity. The more classes I do the more comfortable I will become performing the role of teacher and demanding the respect and attention of my audience.

I have to remind myself of that after my first full lessons with the grade 7's on Friday. My lesson plan was engaging but I did not have full control of the class. I asked for silence, waited until it was mostly quiet and kept on instead of waiting for complete silence that didn't seem to be coming. The students were definitely testing my boundaries and many were blatantly disrespectful. I asked, I ordered, I commanded. I moved students and stood my ground but the class still got away from me. I feel frustrated with them and upset with myself for not being more authoritative. I am hoping that I won't let my nerves about Friday's experience affect my performance with the 7's next class. Fingers crossed.