a bit too clown-ish

Felt like I acted a bit too clown-ish today in class. I was experimenting with teaching without talking, pantomiming (like Moonie the Magnificent, from the Renaissance Faire) and getting the kids to say all the words, thus teaching themselves at the same time. I tried it spontaneously on Wednesday, and it worked great. The kids were engaged and participating in a way they hadn't been before.

So I tried it in my other class today, too, although not quite as spontaneously this time, then again in the class I originally started it with. And that felt like it went a little too far.

So at the end I broke "character" and started reviewing what we had learned by talking. They were a little surprised at first, but quickly settled back into the boredom they are so accustomed to. So I stopped and said, "What's the deal? I say five words and you guys are practically falling asleep. But when I don't talk, you're engaged and paying attention. What gives?"

One brave soul spoke up. He said, "When you're not talking, we're more afraid that you're going to point to us and make us talk, so we have to pay attention."

Hmmm. I see, young grasshopper. I will learn from this . . .

Posted: Fri - September 26, 2003 at 10:46 PM

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a bit too clown-ish

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