A Good Leader

Samuel

In a class where one finds learning abilities of varying degrees, it is essential that the teacher groups the students appropriately for maximum benefits and learning especially when in an oral assessment.

In a research which I did some years ago, I found out that even the weakest of them all in a group discussion can be brought to his/her best if guided by a concerned leader. Every year especially this year I took extra pain to place a mixture of candidates for the group assessment and I would caution them against being free riders and not playing a participating role in the assignment. The children understood what it means to give cooperation and the leader has been told about turn takings among the players. When a participant is not given enough opportunities to speak, a prejudice can be formed against the candidate.

In class yesterday, I was very pleased with Samuel. He not only gave a lively introduction to a BGR topic but also boosted up the confidence of his group members by promptings and easing indecisive moments when the lesser ones spoke. He had the ability to ease awkward times when members forgot lines by asking questions and prompting appropriately. Even the weaker ones benefited well from his suave presence so that at the end of the presentation the group discussion sounded good and precise.

Samuel took the role of a responsible leader who was all out to allow the strong help the weak and I was indeed very pleased with him. He has shown to others what it is to extend the helping hand in times of need and from the onset reassured me that none in the group was a free rider removing my fears and prejudice.

I was especially glad that all spoke in the group with little fear although they could be the silent ones in class and not always ready to give the maximum rapport. But as the saying goes ; necessity is the mother of invention and when they had to sing for their supper; they sang.

They sang a beautiful tune ; a hand of applause to the considerate leader.