Science for elementary is the most fun yet complicated lesson ever. When i was still in university, my lecturer ever told me that elementary is the basic stage to form the kids mind. I will explain it as if it's a formed object. when the teacher creates round objects inside the kids mind, these kids' brains will keep it as round objects forever for their entire life. Later on, along to their growth, they will solve every problem in round way.
When the kids used to think in scientific way, means that everything have a reason to be happened, they won't just take everything easily, they will have many questions to be answered. In the end, they start to solve it no mater how just to satisfy their hunger of knowledge. This is how the scientist and the leader have been created. They have big curiosity over something that catch their interest, and struggling in finding a way to solve that thing.
But now, what if the teachers think that the elementary is the easiest stage of school life? in Indonesia, many teachers that i know used to think to not take the elementary students seriously. For them, no need to explain the materials in detail. The kids have been trained to accept everything as it is, no more questions, no more explanations. Get it or leave it. With this method, i'm pretty sure, in the future, their students will grow up as employees. People might think: why? nothing's wrong with being an employee right? they are not jobless though. Yes, nothing wrong with it, but if we can create the trend setter why should we create the follower? if we can create the producer, why should we create the consumer? End of the arguing.
Knowing that thing burdens me so much. I've been teaching the elementary kids for a month, and if you asking how does it feel, it's really hard indeed. Everyday, i'm learning how to explain the materials that fits to their age. A couple weeks before the lesson start, i always push myself, go upside down just to find an easiest method and what kind of props do i need to make or prepare to support the lesson. when i feel like i'm too busy or lazy, the responsibility of their future keeps haunt me.
In every meeting, i really want and try to make fun activities for them, learning through playing, that's what i mean. So that they wont realize if they are still in the middle of the lesson. In my first meeting, when i got to teach about the special features on animals for 6 graders, i was making the mask show. I was hoping that they will explain it confidently, using many vocabs in various ways. But reality never been that perfect, it's kind of different from what i've imagined before. I didn't say it's a fail, but it lack in some ways.
Since that day i realized, they probably still not used to learn with new method, or they were too shy to disguise themselves as animals in public, or my aim was too much as the starter, but at least they had some fun and got to learn in new way. I was really proud of them (and myself of course) when they made the summary in really satisfying ways, means that they understand what i just taught them, but yes i really do need more improvement. Check that activity bellow...
from my experience above, now we know that being a science teacher for elementary students is not that easy. When somebody that i used to know mocked me and said that i want to be an elementary teacher because it's an easy job, i was really mad and sad at the same time. It means that for her entire life, she has been teaching her students in bad ways. I'm really sorry for saying this, i'm not being arrogant or too idealist, i have no desire to be on top of anyone. This is just what i really feel. I'm not saying that my methods are right, but at least i always try to satisfy my students, and myself as well.
So from now on, lets change our mindset and never take anything easily. We don't know what's the consequences of our action in somebody's life. As teachers, we don't know which one of our lesson can be used in their future. So please make sure, teach them seriously and be one of the main character on their history. I guarantee, it pleased our heart when someday, when they already reach the top but still remember us as their teacher. Lets make our mark on them :)
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