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The best learning, even in a classroom, happens as a by-product of informally investigating stuff of interest. I like to let kids explore on their own, so I leave out, among other things, a large book (about two feet tall and a foot and a half wide) with cross sections of human anatomy. This book fascinates the boys especially, and I have been watching a group of three or four of them hunched over the pages whispering and pointing with wide eyes. Even without the genitalia, the layouts of the muscular, vascular, digestive, and skeletal systems hold the boys spellbound.
Last week, during the explore time, several of the boys came up to me with the book, and asked me about the picture that showed nerve paths from the brain. I don’t know much about how they work, so I told them they were called the nerves, and it was like the brain was a battery, and it could “turn on” the hands and feet and that is how people move around and do things. That seemed to satisfy them. I leave it to the higher grades to straighten out my mythological metaphors.
As they were leaving, one of the boys turned and asked, “Mr. Hare, can we use the art supplies and build some of this?”
“Sure!” I said. That would keep them busy for a while, and who knows what they would come up with.
At that, the boy said, “Oh boy, come on guys, let’s go make body parts!!”
The young Dr. Frankensteins rushed off going "Yeah, cool!"
Soon they were bringing me cutout, folded, and wadded representations of eyeballs, brains, skeletons, and other “body parts”. There is a lasting benefit in the joy of this kind of learning that a lecture or demonstration cannot reproduce.
Not everybody thinks that way. Some see education as the teacher imparting all the important information, more or less filling the empty containers (students) with necessary information. The teacher is most important in this view. The truth is probably somewhere in the middle. For those with an exaggerated opinion of the teacher’s position, consider the student perception.
Recently one of the girls was noticing my shoes and said, “My daddy has a pair like yours, Mr. Hare.”
“Really?” I remarked trying to finish the lunch count.
“Yeah, sometimes he wears them to work.”
“Me too,” I said, teasing.
“Really? Where do you work, Mr. Hare?” she asked innocently.
That caused my sensibility of self to fall backwards in its director’s chair (plop!), and left me speechless and grinning, staring up at the ceiling from my back. But I had to say something, so I offered, “Oh I don’t have a real job, I just come here to be with you guys.”
“Oh.” And off she went, apparently satisfied.
In Reply to: KIDISMS posted by JIm H. [1146.4] on January 16, 2004 at 08:29:40:
LOL
I love your kidism, Jim.
It's interesting that you have brought up this subject about teaching, which I have been thinking about lately. It seems to me for those who consider teaching as nothing more than a job/profession, They teach. But for those who consider teaching (and learning) as their goal in life, they don't really "teach." Instead, they share. They inspire. It almost seems too much fun to be a real job. With such fun at work, we can all keep our own kidism intact, regardless of biological age :)
In Reply to: KIDISMS posted by JIm H. [1146.4] on January 16, 2004 at 08:29:40:
Jim H.
The way kids think is amazing, and so pure. I hope you are keeping all of your stories tucked away in a file somewhere.
Fork
In Reply to: KIDISMS posted by JIm H. [1146.4] on January 16, 2004 at 08:29:40:
LOL, your kidisms made me smile. I'm a SAHM now and it's a totally different perspective. Too often I think we underestimate kids. My 4yo son beat me at chess today! And I thought he was too young to learn the game - didn't stop me from "teaching" him though! Your students are lucky you don't have a "real job." lol!
In Reply to: KIDISMS posted by JIm H. [1146.4] on January 16, 2004 at 08:29:40:
Hi Jim,
I always enjoy your musings so much. Thank goodness you haven't let the "powers that be" dictate how you teach! Wish we had a few like you around here. . .
Donna
In Reply to: Re: KIDISMS posted by bing [312.4] on January 16, 2004 at 10:50:15:
Thanks, Bing, I love following your geographical spirit quest too. My experience with the redwoods was about forty miles south of Eureka. I walked into the forest about 100 feet (no trail) and lost sight of the highway. In a little glen, I began looking at the ferns and delicate flowers on the soft floor. When I looked up, I had no sense of direction. The canopy is complete there, so you get no glimpse of the sky. No road sounds came from the remote “Avenue” (It is called Avenue of The Giants). I froze in a silent panic as the gravity of the situation and possible courses of action went through my mind. It sounds silly, Bing, but it was frightening. Stay on a trail, or bring a compass! That way the indescribable beauty will not turn on you.
About your teaching comments, I think all teachers would like to think they inspire kids. For me, the best way is to get out of the way and make space for the little ones to follow their inspiration. Actually, I’m not sure what I do at all, that is why I tell the stories. They speak for themselves. Explaining becomes gobbledegook.
Oh, how did I get out of the forest? I just stood there. By and by another car came by, and I could tell the direction of the highway. Even so, I could not see the road until I was fifteen feet from it. Lush there, no?
Jim
In Reply to: Re: KIDISMS posted by Fork in the Road [358.218] on January 16, 2004 at 10:52:49:
Yes, Fork, kid thought and kid speak is amazing. They all see clearly that the emperor has no clothes. All adults (we) are the emperors. In the presence of children, it is best to be ready to laugh at yourself.
Jim
In Reply to: Re: KIDISMS posted by a former teacher [185.572] on January 16, 2004 at 14:02:54:
Hi former teacher,
I envy you. Though I love what I do, I would like to be a SAH anything!
So true, we misjudge children all the time. If we pay attention, they will set us straight, often with a good laugh.
Jim
In Reply to: Re: KIDISMS posted by DonnaW [302.29] on January 16, 2004 at 14:10:17:
Hi Donna,
I give all the signs and signals to the “powers that be” that I am doing all they want, then I close my door and do what I need to do.
Thanks for your comment.
Jim
In Reply to: Re: KIDISMS posted by Jim H. [1146.4] on January 17, 2004 at 08:49:52:
TY! I'm blushing - I'm not used to being envied about anything! I loved my teaching job, too, but I believe these years with my kids are SOOOO important. I mean, they don't generally teach chess in day care. No offense meant to anyone, I'm just doing what I feel is best and I'm able to do for my kids.
In Reply to: Re: KIDISMS posted by Jim H. [1146.4] on January 17, 2004 at 08:47:34:
Wow, Jim, what an experience you had. Where you were at is a bit further north from me--I'm about 100 miles south of Eurica, about 1.5 hour's drive. I'm very far away from the sound of traffic. The first day I was here, I thought I heard the humming of highways, but later I found out that the sound is actually water falls and streams.
Everyone here live on campus, so hardly anybody drives. Some of the hills are pretty steep, and I live on the upper level--a good workout anytime of the day. My place also has a wonderful view of the nearby and far away mountains that are often surrounded by misty bands of clouds...
Next time you come here, I'll show you the enchanted forest: the sound of silence there is simply soul-touching. And I guarantee you won't get lost :)
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