Friends of the forest

Our school's participating in a project called "Comenius-Green Globe." It's an inter-European exchange between elementary schools related to the environment (at least that's as much as I understand of it). In November, three of our teachers visited a school in Ireland and in March teachers from Ireland and France will be visiting us. All of the different classes are preparing projects to show off when they come.

One of the teachers I work with in third grade suggested we do a play. I thought that was a great idea! She claimed that I was "more creative" and left it up to me to find or create something. I decided after a fruitless internet search that the best idea was to get the students involved. In one class period we brain-stormed the plot and this weekend I wrote the script.

I was really proud for getting the class involved. In all of my classes there's a lot of importance placed on "personalized education," which doesn't mean tailoring a class to fit each student; but rather teaching in such a way that the material appeals to the whole person.

It sounds silly, or obvious, but it starts with the idea that every student is a person and as such has basic needs, motivations, and ways of dealing with problems. The idea is that since education is a human construct and at the same time an integral part of perpetuating our human-ness, it must therefore be focused toward teaching the whole person--not simply the brain, and much less only one side of it.

The three great motivations for people, according to the theory, are safety, dignity (defined as the characteristics that separate humans from animals), and solidarity. Therefore education must incorporate (among other objectives) social interaction, creative expression, and the opportunity for personal development.

There's a quick summary. The bottom line is that giving students the opportunity to take responsibility for their own learning makes for better education: they learn more and are more motivated in the process. Involving the kids in the creation of this play, for example, is one way to do it.

So enough about all the theory. I don't think the play's too shabby.

Have a look. :)

Friends of the forest

View more documents from violap22.

Today we assigned the parts by drawing names from a hat--the most fair way to go about it. It was SOOOOO cute! The kids were absolutely THRILLED. One little boy was so excited when he got the part he wanted that he actually jumped out of his chair and came running up to the front of the class! :)