Dry those tears

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Dry those tears
By Grace

Dear Debbie,
I have just read your message and I can just picture the scene. I think we have all been in a similar situation. It may even be that the fact the lesson bombed was more to do with him than you. Children sense
when you are uneasy and things aren't just normal. I have seen and heard children doing and saying things they would not do or say if there wasn't a stranger in the room.
Teaching is all about finding out what works and what doesn't. Some things work great one year and not the next. Some things work one DAY and not the next. As a teacher you evaluate and with experience, if something

isn't working you dip into your little bag of tricks and try something else. So that's what YOU do. Mark that one down to experience and try something else. Ask your colleagues or friends what works for them.
As for Godzilla, what planet did he come from where children just know the number facts? Maybe children who are going to be future maths professors will just know them, but it sounds like you work with the same kind of children as I do.
I reckon the reason he didn't offer you alternatives was because he had none. He couldn't take over because you might see him fail, because he quite possibly has never taught a whole class of small children before. He has the easy job, coming in and criticizing, without giving help. Lucky he's not a doctor or he might tell his patients, "Yes I know what's wrong, but you'll have to find out for yourself."
In this life there are builders and wreckers. Seems to me you are a builder and he is a wrecker. So go on building, build your confidence, build your experience and build your positive language. Your lesson didn't "bomb", but you've had more successful ones and you will again.
My last word on the subject is that I know adults who certainly know what an L is, but still can't tell left from right. I think the L is a great idea. Maybe he was having a bad day and was just taking it out on you because you were an easy target. Keep your chin up. There's more to teaching than number facts ( thank goodness ).
GRACE