Today I taught Msufini again with Princely as my translator.
The first half of the lesson was rough, but the second half was the best I’ve
had with them.
The lesson itself was on the Power of Persuasion. I broke
the lesson into two parts: attentive listening and simplicity (two key things
to keep in mind when presenting a persuasive argument). So I spoke to the students
about this and in the first five minutes, I noticed eight kids in the back of
the class sleeping. Now, this is the class with 200 students so I shouldn’t
have been discouraged, but I felt disrespected. It was an optional class, so I
did not understand the logic behind showing up just to sleep right under my
nose. I gave the whole lesson, but I received minimal feedback from the class
and was unsure if any of my words were sinking in.
After the lecture, I opened up an activity. I began by
calling out the kids who were asleep by telling them they should probably wake
up and stretch out because they would have to get up and move in a minute. We
began the activity, a full group debate activity, and only a few students were
interested until I turned the topic to football. Then they were ALL
participating saying this and that, ooing and awing at the arguments and
rebuttals being shot.
I closed on this lesson and answered a fantastic student
question at the end. I related my answer to the soccer players we were debating
about and could feel the students clinging to my words.
Today I learned the importance of my own lesson: in order to
persuade, you must read your audience. My mission today was to persuade my
large and rather unenthusiastic class to listen to my lesson. As I begin to
understand my audience’s personality and desires, status and points of
reference, I am able to communicate with them more effectively and persuade
them to listen to my teachings.
Today the two most effective methods of teaching were the
incorporation of the Bible and football (soccer). I’ll keep this in mind as I plan my lesson for next week.
Write on Dearest Alyssa Rose!!! Your family is so very proud of you. Love You My Dear, Grampa
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