In school children instinctively seem to want to put up their hands, even when you’ve not asked a question. It’s most bizarre. Then when you do ask them they’ve forgotten what they had their hand up for. The classic teacher line is “I’m only going to choose children who are sitting nicely.” That’s the cue for them to sit up straight, appear intelligent, like they’ve thought of a really good answer. Or at least one they think you would approve of.
Often I say, “I’m not choosing anyone who is shouting out, or screwing up their face at me”. It’s funny to stop for a minute, look at their faces and just watch them about to pop! They make a variety of interesting noises in order to charm you into choosing them. I’m a bit mean, I choose the children who don’t have their hand up and ask them what on earth I was talking about. They have no idea either.
Nowadays we have training on how to choose children so they all get a chance to answer. There is no opting out, even at 5. The “in thing” is lollipops with all 30 names on which the teacher picks out at random. The children feel like they’ve won the lottery when their name is read out…until they realise they have nothing to say, or what they were going to say was silly, irrelevant or a request for the toilet. I tend to teach them early on that well known phrase ” I don’t know”. It comes in very handy.
So, here is number 2 in my series of Pick Me poems. I’m hoping you Pick Mine and read it thoroughly in case I ask you questions on it later.
Ooooh, oooh, ooooh! Pick me!
If only my teacher would pick me
I always put up my hand
I scuffle and jiggle
Screw my face up and wriggle
And look like I understand
………….
She tells me to “Shush!
There’s no need for that noise,
sit straight, cross your legs,
turn around”
I’m so desperate to speak
Hear my voice, just a squeak
This hand is not coming down!
………
She’s seen me again,
But passes me by
I bet she thinks I am thick
I am going to burst
I have to be first
If I’m not I might just be sick
But….
I don’t know the answer
Or the question she asked
I just love putting up my hand
It feels great in the air
As I wave at her there
Floating off in my own dreamland
………
If she asks me, I will say “I forgot”
And look down like I’m sheepish and shy
Surely someone will tell me the answer
I’ll look good if I can reply
…………
If only my teacher would pick me
She tries not to catch my eye
Perhaps I should stand
Make a point and DEMAND
That she gives me a chance to reply
………….
That’s it! I’m done, my hand’s coming down
I shall no longer try to impress
Ask Alfie or Mabel
And see if they’re able
To get selected with more success
………..
If only my teacher would pick me
Instead of ignoring my plea
I’ll hold my breath till I’m red
And pretend I am dead
Next time she will have to choose me!
to