This
pre-August I might probably leave for studies. So, my school deliberately took
off many responsibilities from my shoulder. Fearing that I might pose
disruptions by leaving it halfway, I surrendered teaching Physics for senior
classes as well. But, I had almost thirty periods a week on my hat which comprised
of Social Studies in six and Health and Physical Education classes from PP-VI.
As
the share for the half-yearly exam is over, I have suspended teaching new chapters.
My children at this time took my responsibilities that they actively took part
in a group presentation on those concluded issues. One interesting episode they
adored most was the quiz contest amongst the groups. I took a role of a marker
and also a tacit moderator when the questions were modestly ambiguous.
The
VI As are comparatively better than Bs. A girl is known by the name Kinza Yangden
never hesitates to throw questions, related to and of critical nature. I have
always observed this girl putting up a vigilant and watchful step while the
teacher teaches in her class. Believe it or not, sometimes she wouldn’t even
excuse us the slip of tongue at the minimum.
The
new edition of the grade 6 Social Studies textbook comprises a ‘Points to
Remember’ segment that accumulates the main highlights of the chapter. I did
not know my negligence which made me fail to scratch the points labelled at the
end of chapter 3: The Earth We Live In.
In the contents, the textbook reads:
the earth is made up of three spheres: the lithosphere, the hydrosphere and the
atmosphere. As many would do, I taught the way it is because Board
Examination papers are designed in such a way that they mobilize the same words
and sentences as a whole to some extent.
Kinza
led her troop near the board and began asking questions. I already had a rough
sketch back in my mind that her questions will bleed some of the groups and
wound them in fetching good points. The better the performance in the contest, the higher the grades they gain as it was a part of their Continuous Assessment.
Holding
a notebook scribbled ‘sherig’ on the cover, she shot the questions. While few
of the many questions were promptly given an accurate answer by various groups,
one question thundered the whole class.
She
asked, “What is the earth made up of?”
Group 1 answered proudly: 3 spheres. The lithosphere, the hydrosphere and the
atmosphere.
“Sorry”,
she said firmly.
Group 2 then tried their turn: 29% lithosphere and 71% hydrosphere.
“Wrong”, saying this she giggled.
The last group tried but failed too. The class looked at me with utter dissatisfaction and bewilderment. They began shouting and proposed I intervene and say the answer.
The possible answers were already spelt out. So, nothing was left at my disposal. I repeated the answer of the first group: The earth is made up of 3 spheres.
Kinza loudly said "No".
"What is the answer then?" I asked.
"Sir, last time you said, the earth is made up of 3 spheres. But in the book, our group discovered that the earth is made up of continents"
I laughed aloud and later applauded and celebrated her wit. But I never forget to explain to her that, if the earth is made of continents only, then it forms one sphere i.e. lithosphere. I reminded her of being richer and truth in telling that earth is made up of three spheres.
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