Energy and Understanding

What wonderful energy in our class last Wednesday evening!  I think that "big projects" are a key way for both teachers and students to understand their own learning and creative process.  And, perhaps even more important than area content, helping students understand their cognitive path in executing a project is a huge tool for success in the larger world.   Do you need lots of preparation before you create, or do you need to start to create before you have an idea of where you're going? Do you need the details of "primary sources" before you can formulate a narrative, or do you use a narrative to inform the details you will search for?  Do you think best in the shower, while jogging, or do you need to keep a notebook by your bed for those 3 a.m. AHA! moments?  To facilitate this kind of learning, however, educators do need to move beyond micromanagement and cede control to chaos.  I liked how the keynote speaker at the October 19th literacy conference talked about how doubt comes just before success.  Coaching students through doubt (and managing your own) would be important in some of these larger endeavors. 

Big projects

The "Big Projects" topic in class focused on civics and social studies topics, but certainly can be applied to English classrooms. Please reflect on the speakers, the content, or other areas that come to mind as a result of the presentations from Pat Behner, Coby Haas, and the two students, Mamie and Kenny.

Cullum and Greatness

The fact that Cullum was able to make these kids appreciate Shakespeare, Shaw, and Sophocles is a feat in itself. While watching the video I saw that his students were fully interested in the subject matter. I liked the debate style session he held with them, I thought that was unique. I didn't like his idea of the mississippi running through the classroom -- I just thought about all of the paper he was wasting.

I read on someone else's post something regarding his sexuality. I might have noticed or made a mental note questioning how the school/school board/district/etc. felt about this. I'm not implying anything in regards to Cullum but rather the thoughts and beliefs from that time period. I'm sure that things were difficult enough but just adding that in as a variable might've stirred the pot up more.

I guess that I'm most impressed with his ways to get the students involved. I know that it's difficult to incorporate learning and fun and entertainment into one little ball but even with his success there had to be some failure and I wonder what it looked like.

A Touch of Greatness

What inspiration.
I was touched and really inspired by this film—if only all classes could be so instructive and motivational for students! I found myself in a bit of disbelief and awe at how well-spoken some of the students were (as children) when they were interviewed—they were almost more well-spoken in their early years than they were as adults! I don't think I've heard such articulate language coming so easily from the students I'm working with.
While quite inspirational, the film got me to wondering how realistic developing that kind of love for Shakespeare and drama can be in today's classrooms. Especially when so much time and energy is now focused on student's testing abilities and their potential to make high marks on this or that exam.
Certainly, not all teachers have the same kind of passion for Shakespeare, but I would hope that we each have that kind of passion for *something* in our content. What a world it would be if we could each find the drive to teach a piece of our curriculum like that!

Untitled

This was a sweet film.  It made me miss my Great Aunt, a tiny little music teacher who was educated at Julliard, went on to teach Bill Buckley, Jr. and his siblings, and lived in Caramoor, in the composer's cottage.  There was always an outdoor version of something Shakespearean happening.  She died the same year as Cullum.  Her funeral was mobbed with people literally singing her praises.

Follow your passions?  Could the professional message from the film be as simple as that?  Share your love for your subject and don't expect the expected of your students?  Students rise to the heights to which they are allowed?  Mediocrity has blunted the objective of education? Teaching is theatre?  Learning is play?  

At the secondary level it feels that this film is endorsing the things I believe: that young people should feel and be the voices that actively construct their (our) world.  That learning is exploration and apprenticeship. 

I'll admit that I wondered if Cullum's sexuality was ever questioned.  It seemed that might've been a component in some of the arguments raised by his detractors.  People are funny in what they decide should be 'the enemy'.  It's too bad Cullum didn't/couldn't stay in the elementary classroom longer.

A Touch of Greatness

Albert Cullum saw a touch of greatness in every child, but his methods were not well received by all. Please comment how what you viewed in this documentary might be applicable to your own career as a teacher or add other thoughts about the movie in general.