It's a good thing I wore my tennis shoes this morning instead of my sandals. Sometimes a session is so intense for me that I have to respond by walking---not to shake it off but to take advantage of the energy it generated and internalize it all. It makes me think of a quotation: "The vitality of thought is in adventure. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them" (Alfred North Whitehead, maybe). I had to do something active with the ideas that Bobbi's fine demo lesson produced. Walk first. Then write.
Non baby boomers in the group probably have never heard of a low budget movie from the early 70s called Billy Jack, but I walked out of Ellis this morning singing the title song ("One Tin Soldier") and remembering what it felt like to walk out of that movie and want to solve all the nation's problems of bullying and racism single handedly in my classsroom! It was a great feeling. However, I have learned that the stronger I feel about something, the more gently I must treat it in my classroom It comes back to what Donna Qualley called earned insights. I try to constantly improve my ability to structure ongoing opportunities for students to build, refine, revisit, and reassess their growing awareness of social justice issues, but sometimes that seems to take so much time and energy. I have to fight the urge to give them my earned insights! (After all, they are such good insights, and I worked so hard for them). Anyway, I keep trying hard to find ways to allow them to achieve their own earned insights. Then it is time to sit back and trust the reflexive process that their earned insights will indeed be just, compassionate, humane. Bobbi, you lesson reminded me of two important things---first, how to structure lessons that allow students to achieve those crucial earned insights and, second, why such lessons matter. Thanks!
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Wow Lynn, listening to your ideas it's no wonder Mandi holds you in such high regard! No wonder she was surprised when I told her I was in class with you~ we are truly blessed that you share your insights with us!
ReplyDeleteLynn, I am so glad that we have a half an hour together to and from class. You are a true inspiration. You are someday going to be one of these authors that we are reading to give us insight in how to help mold minds. I will cherish this class and always remember that I was blessed with your presence of thought. :)
ReplyDeleteCher and Jodi, you humble me with your praise, but I must tell you how much I need you guys and our trips to and from Athens. You welcome me with your exuberent energy and warm friendship each morning and then include me in the world of your fantastic stories, your love for your families (and of course dogs), and your exceptional ability to teach kids. I talk the talk well, but your presence keeps reminding me that the talk is only good to the extent that it finds its way into the lives of kids. You have no idea how much happiness you two extroverts bring to an old introvert like me by having all that radiant life energy and sharing it so generously.
ReplyDeleteI loved "Bill Jack." Thanks for jogging my memory.
ReplyDelete"One tin soldier rides away."