TRANSITION TIME IN SCHOOL

In a few months, school will be over and many students would move forward to higher levels of education, while others towards other learning environments. It would again be a time for transition in school.

Transition time is difficult for all students. Some cope a little better than others, but holding on to the attention of a class full of children when moving from one topic or activity to another is painfully difficult.

Many students are easily distracted by change of any kind like new teachers. One way to combat this distraction is by using a regular daily class routine or schedule. This routine can be the same everyday or each day in the week (i.e. Monday schedule, Tuesday schedule and so on.) Time must be set-aside early in the year to teach the schedule and give students the opportunity to learn and adjust.

Once the schedule is established, transitions can be smoothed out for students by avoiding sharp turns in favor of more gradual, sloping, bridges between events. The teacher must give ample warning and instruction before allowing the student to move on mentally or physically to the next planned activity. The teacher must treat his or her students like children, guiding them by the hand, using age-appropriate language because they are children, even the high school seniors.

Students will respond to and follow a teacher who demonstrates educational leadership in his or her classroom. This type of leadership starts with excellence in curriculum preparation and comprehensive scheduling. Packing the day or hour with lessons and activities that both engage and stimulate the student will guarantee that the students will stay involved and focused on the tasks at hand, ensuring smooth transition. — oOo—

The author is Teacher III/Teacher-in-Charge at San Basilio High School