Sue- I think that we are both very similar in our idea of having fun in our classrooms! If I am making a fool out of myself, it usually means my students will remember what I am teaching them. I know you usually use raps in your class, my greatest memory is doing the Metric Shuffle. My students have never laughed so hard in my classroom and I am pretty sure I have never been so humiliated in my whole life. However, my students from 3 years ago still see me and say “do you remember that day!?”
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In reading the four chapters, one main concept I am taking away is that fact that it is always more important to ask what makes a group lively and engaged instead of asking how good am I. The students will definitely learn more if they are engaged and the focus is on them, not on the instructor. My students seem to react when I admit to not knowing something that they ask or admit that I made a mistake. Students also react very positively if one of their ideas is accepted and used.
Rule number 6: Don’t take your self so seriously! I have found in my classroom that my students respond in a positive manner when I am in a better, lighter mood than when I am too serious. The same amount of learning still gets accomplished, but laughter makes them relax and more willing to take a risk. I agree that if students can give up their pride, they stand a lot better chance of learning than if they let their pride get in the way. My students may laugh at me when I do crazy things, but they love it all the same.
Giving Way to Passion: The teacher I have taught across the hall from for 14 years is retiring and she is a perfect example of having passion for what she does. In this last year of her 39 year career, she still goes at it full force. She is very passionate for reading and language arts and can still get kids excited about reading even if they aren’t good readers. She has a gift for not holding back.
I guess it is what it is
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