Jolly good!
You may remember the experiment in which 6 classes were given a solid period of learning how to write. Another 6 classes were given heavy reading assignments.
Then came the test to see who were better writers. Interestingly, the readers out did the writers.
I tell speaking classes that if a person has something to say, that's most of the battle. All that's needed then are a few tricks of the trade - such as picking on someone who looks receptive at the back of the room and addressing all your remarks to her. Then you will be speaking personally to everyone in the room. (Also, if she can hear you - so can everyone else!)
Harry
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Brian wrote:
Hi Karen, Your intuitions about me as a teacher based on your reading my rushed scribbles to FW ( I'm teaching 200 students in 5 different classes this term) are 'right on'- doesn't that date me?! Much of my teaching is anecdotal. Stories, parables, fables, songs, poems,pictures,playing are ancient ways of initiating our young into our culture. I personally find them much more inspiring than DIRECT INSTRUCTION which the behavioUrists preach. Need I remind FWers of the cover of TIME magazine where B. F. Skinner said "I was wrong". A reading example: My favoUrite picture books are H. A. Rey's Curious George books. I loved them as a child and I read them, along with many others, over and over again to my children, Amy and Luke. I vividly remember one night long ago reading Curious George Takes A Job (future work!!) for the umpteenth time to Luke. I had just finished reading where George had said "I'm fed up". I had read these very words many times before to him. For some reason, which behavioUrists can't explain, Luke asked "Dad, what does 'fed up' mean?". I gave him a number of examples that related to past experiences that he could, perhaps, connect with. We then proceeded to finish the book. I then tucked him in with his Curious George stuffed animal and went to my room to read the paper. I then heard my son talking to his George and using the expression'fed up' in a variety of different play contexts. Enough said?Take care, Brian ps how did all you FWers begin to develop your concept of 'fed up'. I collect these anecdotes to enhance my repetoire. Wittgenstein taught me the importance of how concepts begin to become US.
****************************** Harry Pollard Henry George School of LA Box 655 Tujunga CA 91042 [EMAIL PROTECTED] Tel: (818) 352-4141 Fax: (818) 353-2242 *******************************
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