Making it memorable
Chapter 2 of The Excellent 11 discusses the need to have creativity in your classroom. Like the opening quote by Muhammad Ali reads, "The man who has no imagination has no wings." Well, that about says it all for me.....who wants to be a classroom where there is no creativity...not me! I also enjoyed and totally agree that "for all children, school should be a safe place. It must offer structure and stability, and teachers must make sure that there is a certain amount of organization and discipline in the daily routine" (p. 53). Yet, I loved Ron Clark's story of how he acted like 007 rolling around a' la James Bond to see where their mysterious visitor was! That sounds right up my alley! We have to keep the classroom exciting, fun, and energizing for students if we expect focus and learning! And, you can plan for this creativity in your lessons. One of my favorite high school memories was when Mrs. Helen Griffin asked us to reenact scenes from The Great Gatsby! My group did this - we even traveled to Lake Murray and did a lake scene - Michael, Amy, and I enjoyed making this pre-Power Point video and adding music from Prince's Purple Rain cassette to our scene reenactment. Now, I know that I am showing my age, but what matters is that "I remember this activity!" When all is said and done, and our school years are over and done with, will your students remember what you did in class? Now, that is the key....will they remember what they learned and how they learned this material? My bet is they will! I know and see what happens here on a daily basis! And, yes, your students will remember.....I know Mrs. Griffin will enjoy knowing that after all these years....I still remember and cherish all those days I spent with her! She made a difference in my life by being creative and allowing me to truly express my creativity in her English class. (Later, I even went on to teach English...now, I wonder where I got that from? Thanks Mrs. Griffin!)
I look forward to finding more ways to have my students involved in hands on learning this coming school year. It will be fun to see our American History come alive with some drama!
The excitement from all of you who went to RCA is contagious already! I can't wait to hear more details.
:) Angela McCall (Comment this)
Adventure in the classroom does involve risk and time management, finding the extra time to make the adventure possible, and then just trying new things. Ron tells us that we must get the spark of interest going that gives the students something to look forward to. . He mentions his student’s laughter….I too have noticed how my students come alive, whenever humor is integrated!
I loved hearing about the spirit of adventure found in Ron’s Grandmother, who was “always one second away from a laugh, a hug or a kind word.” My Grandmother was the same, she was very short and very plump with skinny arms and legs, yet she would hoola hoop with us, get down in the floor and play jacks, you name it!! As we have mutual admiration for each other in these relationships, so too do our students with us if we give our all for them.
Creativity sometimes comes easily and sometimes we need to borrow some from others, I love that our staff shares so readily, as this really helps bring diversity and creativity to my classroom. This chapter reminds us that creative strategies both in teaching and in discipline measures have to be many and varied in order to produce the maximum effects for successful learning. We are also reminded that when our students see that we put a lot of effort into what we do for them, they gain respect for us and pride in their return efforts.
~~Teri~~
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I know at DME there are many memorable moments on the horizon.......did I hear something about a faculty talent show.????? count me in!!!!
Kathy Brand (Comment this)
Case in point...white water rafting down the Nantahala River. I was thinking "What am I doing here?" However, it was SO much fun and I'll never forget it.
At the RCA we slid down a two story slide. Again I'm thinking I don't want to be first...of course I end up at the begining of the line. I promise I didn't want to go down first. However, it was a blast and being first ( ok second only to Mrs. Cook) allowed me to be standing there watching as my fellow DME teachers came down. Now that was priceless. :)
Bringing this adventure to the classroom will make moments that students will never forget. (Comment this)