Accessories
On the discussion of fashion I feel accessories need to be mentioned - the small things that have a big impact.
A woman wearing a black dress may feel her outfit is incomplete until she has a string of white pearls around her neck.
The glimmering gems aren't solely a status symbol, they work to contrast with the black to highlight and bring attention to her beautiful face.
It is often the cuff links, or handkerchief that complete a man's look.
Small things can make a big difference in the classroom, too:
Be patient
Smile
Make Time for Every Student
Offer Gratitude
Say Positive Things
...more to come
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sixteen
Fashion
I had to think long and hard about the contributions fashion has made to my life. And then I remembered the once fine fitting tailored shirt I used to wear and how it made me feel more sophisticated than I actually I was.
Though through the media fashion is given an air of self-indulgence, it really is a form of expression, in which we convey our personal meanings to the world.
Some fashion can be more appealing to others, but the important point is if whether or not it is important to the person wearing it.
In this sense, fashion can speak volumes about education. Even teachers can easily pass judgments on the styles of learning or communication in their students. It's crucial to remember that we all have different styles; styles of dress, styles of music, styles of learning. There is no right or wrong, better or worse. I think education needs to quickly move away from wanting all our students to think the same and pursue more individual experiences, embracing diversity and creativity a long the way. Our world is calling for creative action.
I had to think long and hard about the contributions fashion has made to my life. And then I remembered the once fine fitting tailored shirt I used to wear and how it made me feel more sophisticated than I actually I was.
Though through the media fashion is given an air of self-indulgence, it really is a form of expression, in which we convey our personal meanings to the world.
Some fashion can be more appealing to others, but the important point is if whether or not it is important to the person wearing it.
In this sense, fashion can speak volumes about education. Even teachers can easily pass judgments on the styles of learning or communication in their students. It's crucial to remember that we all have different styles; styles of dress, styles of music, styles of learning. There is no right or wrong, better or worse. I think education needs to quickly move away from wanting all our students to think the same and pursue more individual experiences, embracing diversity and creativity a long the way. Our world is calling for creative action.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Fifteen
Music
Music's power is beyond any definition with words.
Education possesses similar enigmatic qualities.
Below are some thoughtful attempts at defining music's mysterious nature.
"Music is the shorthand of emotion." Leo Tolstoy
"Music is Moral Law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything." Plato
"See deep enough, and you see musically the heart of nature being everywhere in music." Thomas Carlyle
"Music can name the un-nameable and communicate the unknowable." Leonard Bernstein
"Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite." Thomas Carlyle
Music's power is beyond any definition with words.
Education possesses similar enigmatic qualities.
Below are some thoughtful attempts at defining music's mysterious nature.
"Music is the shorthand of emotion." Leo Tolstoy
"Music is Moral Law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything." Plato
"See deep enough, and you see musically the heart of nature being everywhere in music." Thomas Carlyle
"Music can name the un-nameable and communicate the unknowable." Leonard Bernstein
"Music is well said to be the speech of angels; in fact, nothing among the utterances allowed to man is felt to be so divine. It brings us near to the infinite." Thomas Carlyle
Monday, March 9, 2009
Fourteen
Cadence
Rhythm is just as important of an element to a teacher's classroom as it is to music.
Listeners to a song ride the wave of rhythm, the highs the lows, the peaks the valleys, the mood swings. All are necessary for a holistic, compelling, experience.
It's important as educators to set a rhythm to the classroom.
To draw students in with Adagio, to build up with Allegro, Intermezzo and reflect with Finale.
Rhythm is just as important of an element to a teacher's classroom as it is to music.
Listeners to a song ride the wave of rhythm, the highs the lows, the peaks the valleys, the mood swings. All are necessary for a holistic, compelling, experience.
It's important as educators to set a rhythm to the classroom.
To draw students in with Adagio, to build up with Allegro, Intermezzo and reflect with Finale.
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Thirteen
According to Copland, the great gift of music is that it lends itself to our imagination. And imagination is what lends itself to action.
Imagination plays an important part in our classroom. In many regards it is by the aid of imagination that students are compelled and curious.
As teachers, how can we be more like music? How can we persuade our students to feel, to react, to imagine?
One of the powers of music, is it's ability to be personal.
Though not always easy, it is important to distinguish the individualistic and holistic needs of the classroom.
As a few notes of music can move a person, so can a few words from a teacher affect a student.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Twelve
Simplicity
Experts tell us that most people cannot meaningfully grasp numbers higher than a few thousand.
To quote the I-Ching: "By means of the easy and the simple we grasp the laws of the world. When the laws of the whole world are grasped, therein lies perfection."
Studying the architecture of this week I recognized how certain spaces and structures evoked more feeling and meaning than others.
I was more moved by architecture whose form was more perceivable - not lost in complex design schemes to impress. In many of the examples I favored, simplicity ruled.
With the growing penetration of technology in our lives, the irony is our life is not getting any simpler. Our lives are becoming increasingly complex. We consume, we pollute, we deceive. We begin to overlook and take for granted what is very true and good.
I believe it is important we teach our students the elegance of simplicity.
“Simplicity is the glory of expression” Walt Whitman
Experts tell us that most people cannot meaningfully grasp numbers higher than a few thousand.
To quote the I-Ching: "By means of the easy and the simple we grasp the laws of the world. When the laws of the whole world are grasped, therein lies perfection."
Studying the architecture of this week I recognized how certain spaces and structures evoked more feeling and meaning than others.
I was more moved by architecture whose form was more perceivable - not lost in complex design schemes to impress. In many of the examples I favored, simplicity ruled.
With the growing penetration of technology in our lives, the irony is our life is not getting any simpler. Our lives are becoming increasingly complex. We consume, we pollute, we deceive. We begin to overlook and take for granted what is very true and good.
I believe it is important we teach our students the elegance of simplicity.
“Simplicity is the glory of expression” Walt Whitman
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.” Leonardo da Vinci
“In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Eleven
Symbolism
This week we've explored numerous examples of compelling architecture. Many of these structures followed rules of design that have been used for generations.
Others are more modern spaces that embody contemporary ideas and thinking.
Architecture can be very symbolic. And these symbols can attract or repel people from a certain course of action.
Churches are a good example.
As teachers, we can also harness this power of symbolism by drawing on the numerous archetypes for hard work and perseverance.
Symbols of the power education, can strengthen a student's willpower to do his/her best in a class.
An idea would be to put posters of eminent figures of American society on the wall, symbols of hard work and determination.
This week we've explored numerous examples of compelling architecture. Many of these structures followed rules of design that have been used for generations.
Others are more modern spaces that embody contemporary ideas and thinking.
Architecture can be very symbolic. And these symbols can attract or repel people from a certain course of action.
Churches are a good example.
As teachers, we can also harness this power of symbolism by drawing on the numerous archetypes for hard work and perseverance.
Symbols of the power education, can strengthen a student's willpower to do his/her best in a class.
An idea would be to put posters of eminent figures of American society on the wall, symbols of hard work and determination.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)