The Lesson Plan

First of all, that’s the weather for you. We really can’t do anything about it. A friend of mine said that in this rain, other people have bigger problems than we do. I agree. But it doesn’t change the fact that we have to deal with our problems eventually.

Guys, I am aware that once we get back, a lot of us teachers will struggle to make up for lost time. A lot of us will schedule make-up classes and I think a big number now hope for Saturday classes. Therefore, we will all be cramming. As in the real cramming.

I define cramming as the act of impractically utilizing less time than it would normally take for one to perform a task optimally and perfectly. Alternatively, it can mean doing more in less time but also less effectively. Thus this is not to be misunderstood as efficiency because that pertains to the economical use of time and resources to perform a task superbly. Yes, you can become an efficient crammer but as long as your work is crammed, it won’t be as good as it would be if you spent the right amount of time on it.

Therefore, we shall do our best not to cram. And how do we do that? By being practical.

For one, I will do my best not to schedule make up classes with you. Yes, make up classes are good because they give us more time, but then your pacing will be disrupted. As you know, I require you a lot of preparation for my classes and if we have a make-up session then that means you’ll be reading and reviewing more than you normally would. That may not be so effective when you start doing that for all your subjects. Nonetheless, I will schedule make-up classes for one exception. Read on.

Second, we will have to cut down on some additional activities. The Simpsons will have to wait. I haven’t announced this yet, but I have scheduled a two-week film viewing on Buddha, Genghis Khan, Qin Shih Huang (the first emperor of China) and Gandhi in September which I am afraid we will have to cut down on. If ever, expect just a session or two. Or I may assign it to the groups doing History of Heroes — I’ll give them copies of the documentaries and they’ll use those in writing their reports. Or I can act them out for you. Get your cameras ready.

Nonetheless, if we can magically schedule make-up classes, then we can have all of these special viewings. This will be our only reason to have make-up classes — so we can watch stuff!

And with regards to The Tao of Pooh, this one breaks my heart a bit. I really want to share this book’s rich insights with all of you but we will need time which we have now lost. Nonetheless, I believe in this so much that we will still do this. I’ve been planning this since summer and I’m not about to let a super typhoon ruin this for us.

Therefore, the Tao of Pooh has been moved to the first week after Humanities Week. (However, this will change if for some odd reason Humanities Week gets moved. Don’t quote me yet; I’m just speculating.) I hope you have copies of the book by now. If you haven’t read it, steal some time if ever classes get disrupted again. Read it during your break. Read it with your friends. Read it while you’re doing… stuff. Read it when you’re bored during Humanities Week. As long as you do.

Stay tuned for a post that will show you the new, revised schedule. All I can tell you now is to expect the following in the weeks until Humanities:

(a) A map test on South and East Asia. You will be identifying countries and capitals on a blank map. This is also Round 1 of the Dragon Lines quest.

(b) A discussion of the assigned readings on the economy of India and China, the Failed States Index 2007, and McDonald’s India. Expect graded recitation.

(c) An introduction to Eastern philosophies and belief systems. In a way, this is a continuation of our 1st quarter lesson on religion.

(Every quarter, we revisit the topic of religion and philosophy. 3rd quarter looks into Shinto and Bushido in Japan. 4th quarter looks into Judaism, Christianity and Islam.)

After Humanities Week, we shall discuss the following:

(d) The Tao of Pooh, as an introduction to Chinese culture, philosophy and history

(e) The Rise and Fall of States as seen in China and India

I will plot them out on a table once a clearer picture emerges. I am expecting a Scholarship Committee meeting next week and if I recall correctly, we might lose our Wednesday — which means that I won’t get to meet all my classes again.

Anyway, I hope you have all taken time the past few days to relax and do the things you love to do. All the new badges rock! Moreover, we’re just getting started! It would have also been great if you did all you had to do so you’re free for the next days.

I know a lot of you are beginning to feel the pressure of rehearsing for all your presentations once you get back, but you can’t do anything about them now. So don’t worry much. But you can do your share now by practicing your pieces and keeping yourself updated. And if you do find the time to practice, that’s great.

So to all of us, good luck. Hope all of you have been well and see you soon.