What a neat idea!!! I’m going to share this with my school’s administration 👍
Back to School Night
The Value of Failing!
Mistakes can make the best art!! Do it, students. Fail sometimes. It’ll be good for you 😉
If a class gets a little unruly..,
Then look to your lesson plan. Chances are, something isn’t right.
That’s right. It’s probably the TEACHER’S FAULT as to why a class is “off the chains.”
A lot of times (and I will admit, myself included before), teachers will blame the students’ misbehavior/disruptiveness on them. “What awful students!” and “They get worse every year” are common statements I’ve heard uttered. In my first week at a new school with a new student body, I had the pleasure of experiencing one of my freshman classes get a little out of hand… I could feel my control slipping, and I could tell their interest was waning. And they were taking it out on each other.
After they left I immediately thought: I can’t rely on my old lesson plans over the last 8 years anymore. I’m going to have to go back to the drawing board, because I could tell/feel my chosen activities weren’t received well. I could see the reluctance and even slight frustration my students were having in participating. They weren’t willing to jump into being silly and working in groups. They weren’t ready to be on-the-spot. I needed to take a step back & SET THEM UP MORE FOR SUCCESS. Work on those team-working skills in a disguised/unintimidating way.
So I called some fellow teachers in the field. Veteran drama teachers who I admire. And I asked for their advice. I even tweeted drama teachers in other countries I’ve connected to for help!! What are drama teachers elsewhere doing that’s successful?
It’s only WEEK TWO now. I’m determined to win my students over. I’m determined to give them a positive, growing experience this year– without fear of being humiliated. I’m determined to have a great year with them!
I came to school today with new ideas and new approaches I’ve never tried before. And my not-so-easy class was manageable today. Go figure 🙂
So it’s on me. Their teacher. I’m going to roll up my sleeves to continue choosing the right stuff for my new students that’s going to engage them & grow them. I’m going to drag out all resources and see what else I can do…
And I ain’t afraid to ask for help! Near and far!!
And you shouldn’t either, veteran or new teacher.
So teachers, when things get a little crazy– look to your lesson plan. Was there something you could have done better? Cuz chances are– there is…
P.S. Thank you Sarah, Amy & Keri for your “pearls of wisdom.” 😉
What teaching is all about
It’s all about those relationships… Teaching, that is. Theatre, that is. LIFE, that is… 👏👏
“Make glorious, amazing mistakes.”
Yes!!! This is what I hope I can pass on to my students: Don’t be afraid. Create. Try new things. Accidents/mistakes can make the best art.
Now I just need to get them to buy into that!! #DramaTeacherProblems
In Neil Gaiman’s now famous 2012 commencement speech at the University of the Arts, he offers some excellent advice to free us from perfectionism, imploring us to simply create — to make art — no matter what. What’s wonderful about this advice is that it applies to any creative endeavour, regardless of whether your art form is writing, drawing, painting, sculpting, or découpage:
I hope that in this year to come, you make mistakes.
Because if you are making mistakes, then you are making new things, trying new things, learning, living, pushing yourself, changing yourself, changing your world. You’re doing things you’ve never done before, and more importantly, you’re Doing Something.
So that’s my wish for you, and all of us, and my wish for myself. Make New Mistakes. Make glorious, amazing mistakes. Make mistakes nobody’s ever made before. Don’t freeze, don’t stop, don’t worry that it isn’t good…
View original post 50 more words
About Me
I’m a drama teacher at Woodside High School, home of the Arts and Communications magnet of Newport News Public Schools in Virginia. In the past two years, I’ve decided to dedicate myself to not only being a great theatre arts instructor and overall teacher, but to also be a digitally connected 21st teacher.
Many other secondary drama teachers I’ve associated with think this is unnecessary or refuse to even try “technology” out. I’m determined to change their minds and incorporate the benefits of technology in my classroom and share my successes. And yes– even my challenges, disappointments and daresay failures with it!
Finally, since I’ve decided to be a “connected teacher,” I’ve noticed my connection and relationship with students improving and even flourishing much more than before. I hope this blog can further this dialogue with my pupils, former, current, and future ones!
Other random tidbits: I believe my strengths as a theatre artist are in this order: Stage manager, Director, and Actor. I hold a BA in Drama from UNC at Greensboro and an MA in Teaching from Christopher Newport University. I’m a wife with a cute, sweet, black rescue dog I call my child. For now 🙂 I’m a news junkie and even DVR it so I can get caught up when I come home late from rehearsals. I consider myself an amateur foodie. And I love to travel (who doesn’t?)!!
ahallnn's Blog 