Wordless Wednesday: Mr. Potato Head

Wordless Wednesday: Red Carpet Field Trips

Finding unique opportunities for field trips makes all the difference.  Here we are at the premier of "The Hobbit" meeting Dean O'Gorman and Aidan Turner.  (Martin Freeman wasn't far behind).  A stretch of a concept for missing class, but it was aspirational for the Drama students to see people at the top of their game.

Bringing the Drama

Alright... I am a Drama teacher, so this is HARDLY a challenge for me... but I have noted that it is a massive challenge for the non-drama History students.

But, it is one of those things that requires a lot of laughter, and complete over-the-top-ed-ness in class.

Writing and performing a play based on the content can be awesome.  I have had groups write plays based on events, giving groups the same event, but from different perspectives.  However, today I used a play based on historical records, all about the discussion around the Treaty of Waitangi.

The key to success is knowing who the over-the-top kids are, and giving them pivotal characters.  Another mass hint is leading by an over-the-top example.  Shy kids need only a few lines.  Kids who have fantastic skills with language should be given sections that can highlight this.

I don't always get it right.  So be prepared to jump in and rescue kids who need it.

Brooke showing her fist full of ferns, and her extreme height

Williams presents his arguement, before Busby and Hobson

The sign-ees muttering to themselves during the debate.

Celebrating Stuff

I have this deep belief that celebrations carry an air of ritual are important.  Not for the actual celebration, but for the ritual.  ;)

What the hell do I mean, right?

Well, teaching is about relationships.  You can't teach someone something they are not ready to learn... and sometimes it is all about trust.  Creating an environment where you can call out someones bad behaviour, or find out what is making them sad, the rest of the relationship is what makes the outcome work. 

I think that all the good memories you can build up help to forge the relationship, so that you can get to know the students as actual people.  And more importantly, it helps the students get to know each other.

I am blessed in that I have a senior form class.  I keep my babies as a group for 3 years, with some leaving and some joining each year.  Fostering the love and camaraderie between the students and sharing in the silly stuff helps them realise that they are all in this crazy world together, and they need to find a way to make things work.  They are more likely to be honest and ask for help.  Or to at least accept a question or two.  My class is nuts.  I think I make them this way.  And I don't mind. 

We celebrate as many things as I can think of.  So far this year we have had a back to school luau, Chinese New Year, Valentines Day, St Patricks Day, Dr Seuss's birthday, regular birthdays, Sea Week (where we look at the FISH! Philosophy) and the school Athletic sports. 

We take pictures.  And the kids love the pictures.  I upload them to a closed Facebook group for the class.  It's becoming more than amazing, because now they upload as well, and we communicate about what is going on for the people in the class.  One student is currently on crutches, and the others are making sure that they get their bag carried, doors opened, and looked after at lunch. 

And these people were not friends at the start of the year.  In fact, most of them had never met each other.

Why start a teaching blog?

Well, why now?

I have been teaching for over 13 years now, and yet I have never started a blog about what I actually do before.  Probably because I figured this was how everyone works....

But more recently I have figured out that I am an oddity.  And perhaps in a good way.

I have taught pretty much everything.... I started with English, History and Mathematics... then added Science and Integrated Curriculum to the list... then Health.... then I moved into teaching Drama.  Along the way I have taught Computing, Media Studies, Classical Studies, Music, Debating, Theatre-sports and Improvisation, Language programmes, Gifted and Talented extension classes and Leadership Training.  You name it, I taught it....

Why?

Ha!  Beyond me if you ask.  I think it is because I have trained in... well.... pretty much everything from Theoretical Astrophysics to the Greek Language. 

Currently I teach Drama and History, and I love it.  Being able to mix hands on subjects with deep knowledge suits me nicely.  And I can't see myself changing any time soon.

I am a creative soul.  I love to write, knit, sew, quilt, write some more, dream, paint, craft, photograph, travel, explore and then do a little writing.  When I grow up I will be a writer. ;)

But for now, I think I should share a little more of what I do and why I think it is important.  You can pretty much guarantee that it is different.