Yesterday's field trip was amazing, and one I think every student in 307 should get the opportunity to participate in. Let me start with the all school meeting that was wonderful to watch. It was great watching a young student take control of a meeting - reminding everyone of the rules of order and reminding them to sit quietly while others had the floor, etc. - and watching all the students getting up to make their announcements (from the youngest to the oldest). I was also amazed that one of the things they were discussing was having a hand in deciding the curriculum for their school (and to think this is a public school!). It was just a great experience, and I wish everyone had been able to arrive for the meeting.
The tour of the school was wonderful as well - I looked at all of the paintings, etc. and was amazed it takes a vote of the entire school to put up anything or change anything already there. I was so intrigued by their project about the Middle East scheduled to be televised in the next week or two. What these students learn in this school puts some of our other "public" schools to shame.
The presentation by Chris was a real learning experience for me. I must say I had never thought of using other forms of literacy - such as the movies - as a way of teaching students about such basics as plot, characterization, setting, etc. I must say he gave me a chance to revisit my ideas on how a school classroom is conducted and what things can be used to teach students. Even more, I am calling into question everything I have thought was necessary in a classroom. If regents exams are not necessary for graduation - imagine a school in which you don't have to teach to the test - then the possibilities for our students learning are limitless.
I have always envisioned my classroom as being one of "organized chaos" and I think I feel so strongly along that line because none of my own classrooms were like it when I was going to school. Maybe because I grew up in a different generation from most of the kids here at Cortland - I'm not really sure - but I just know I wanted my classroom to be something other than the status quo. This school made me realize it's possible to teach in such a classroom - and even more importantly, there are entire schools that teach in the same manner.
When you challenged us at the end of our day, Dr. Stearns, to seek out the kind of schools and classrooms which will help us grow and develop I knew I must do just that when I graduate. Like you, I have lived in the same town since the day I was born, and I probably would have taken a job here as well after graduation. However, after our tour today, I saw firsthand the kinds of schools and the kinds of classrooms possible and I want to be part of it. THANK YOU for making this tour possible, and thank you for giving us an opportunity to explore all of our future possibilities. I no longer am willing to just settle for a job teaching school - I am ready for an adventure!!!
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2 comments:
I appreciate your enthusiasm for the field trip Darlene. I agree w/everything you say here.
And thank you for valuing the effort it took on my part to get that up and going. I too am sorry more students were not able to get there early enough to see the student meeting or take the tour.
I agree - I wanted to be a teacher partly because I would have the opportunity to be creative and adapt my teaching to what reasearch says works. Many regular schools stifile that creativity and tell you what you have to do, which sounds awful to me. I hope that I can find a school that makes me happy - and in turn, where I make the kids happy because they feel they are learning something of worth.
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