Enthralling young minds

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by Paul mabbott

The best example of this in my experience was taking a class of 8-year olds to Southend and collecting things from the beach (actually, for those who know Southend where there is no beach, it was farther east but I've forgotten the name ... ). I asked one lad what he was taking back: a jellyfish ..... which had liquefied in his pocket .... I hope his mum appreciated it.
But he was a fairly good example of lads with low attention capability &c, a rowdy but not nasty, yet if you got him rummaging around on the shore or in a wood he could spend hours examining things .....

We've found that a lot of disaffected children can learn through the hands on experience. Some are just not programmed to learn by sitting in class, being rammed through hours of literacy and numeracy. It just bounces off their bored brains. Take them out, engage their interest and bingo!- brain opened and receiving information. This is why art, that has taken a back seat in some schools, is just so important. Let them feel, see and experience materials and produce something. These children are usually very capable, it's just not written down on paper, that's all. Julie

[Owl-Light]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

We've found that a lot of disaffected children can learn through the hands on experience. Some are just not programmed to learn by sitting in class, being rammed through hours of literacy and numeracy. It just bounces off their bored brains. Take them out, engage their interest and bingo!- brain opened and receiving information. This is why art, that has taken a back seat in some schools, is just so important. Let them feel, see and experience materials and produce something. These children are usually very capable, it's just not written down on paper, that's all. Julie

Do you find modern educational techniquies restrict self expression and in themselves lead to something of a state of sensory depravation? So much emphasis on tests, tests, tests etc.

I felt like a wild animal trapped in a cage at school. Only one out of all our teachers (Mrs Baker - English Lit) had the qualities to inspire and fire our imaginations. Everybody loved her. Friends I've kept in touch with since leaving school still remember her with gratitude and deep affection.

What you're doing is wonderful, kids are alive with imagination with all their senses taking in information and thats the time to encourage it. How quickly we dim perception of tactile experiences as we get older.

What we learn about the world should come form direct experience and not only from books. Thats why art is so valuable, its totally hands on. Teach them to really listen to hear small sounds in the distance, the feel of things in nature, the scents in the air all that will all sharpen their minds further. Keep up the good work

[Mr Mag00]

We've found that a lot of disaffected children can learn through the hands on experience. Some are just not programmed to learn by sitting in class, being rammed through hours of literacy and numeracy. It just bounces off their bored brains. Take them out, engage their interest and bingo!- brain opened and receiving information. This is why art, that has taken a back seat in some schools, is just so important. Let them feel, see and experience materials and produce something. These children are usually very capable, it's just not written down on paper, that's all. Julie

OMG Julie that is just so true, i have had teachers tell me to watch out for 'a' or 'b' 'they dont listen'. they are the children who in the afternoon sessions are very often linking the two sessions together and coming up with some excellent questions, thats not always the case, but more often than not. There is a very big article in The Ecologist this month i have yet to read it, about the state of children, 'adhd' etc a number of people have pointed it out to me.

I dont agree with an all inclusive teaching policy, i do believe grading works. Those who can excel should be enabled to do so and those that cant should be given all the help they can to attain the best. Ironically when i was at scool the less academic had 'computer lessons' they all left school knowing far more about computers that the rest, i would imagine some are very high up the IT industry today.

I am curently working with a small organisation trying to revive rush working here in Dorset, part of the project is to go to schools very near the river Stour as they would have had rush lessons years ago, we have historical evidence.
Last week we went in to a school and had slightly brighter kids in the morning it was great and in the afternoon the 'livelier class' as told by teachers and headmaster! they were great far more imagination. We try to make small rush horses in the time so each child has something to take home and the second class wanted to make drgaons, dinosaurs, none of which i yet know how lol! but we all muddled through and ther were some excellent dragons at 3 o'clock.

Only one out of all our teachers (Mrs Baker - English Lit) had the qualities to inspire and fire our imaginations.

ROFL, thats quite ironic Sheryl as the only teacher who turned me off at my school was the English teacher who told me very early in the year that she didnt want me in the class at an out of school activity and then told me i was stupid as i didnt understand poetry similes and metaphores and due to the fact i could not see the deep meaning in the Dire Straits track 'Brothers in arms' lyrics. No wonder i went down the scientific route slightly less 'wooly' than poetry, im still no good with abstract art

[Owl-Light]

Originally Posted by Mr Mag00

ROFL, thats quite ironic Sheryl as the only teacher who turned me off at my school was the English teacher who told me very early in the year that she didnt want me in the class at an out of school activity and then told me i was stupid as i didnt understand poetry similes and metaphores and due to the fact i could not see the deep meaning in the Dire Straits track 'Brothers in arms' lyrics. No wonder i went down the scientific route slightly less 'wooly' than poetry, im still no good with abstract art

See, thats what makes me so mad about bad teachers, she probably ruined it for you for life. She should have been drummed out of the flippin' profession.

I remember accidently leaving a 'Teach Yourself Philosophy' book on the corner of my desk during a Geography lesson one day (my mistake I should have hidden it). The teacher picked it up and mocked my attempts to get to grips with the subject ruthlessly in front of the whole class. Sure it was a bit beyond me at the time but I wanted to learn. Fortunately I tended to ignore what they thought and explored all kinds of subjects after leaving the place. But what a lost opportunity to open a child minds, eh.

[speckled wood]

One thing I did back in 2002 was to donate my first digital SLR (an Olympus 1000 .... all of .85Mega Pixels!) to my local school, pleased to learn yesterday that it is still in use.

[Mr Mag00]

it had no long lasting effect on me at all

'the b***h!' lol

[honeybee]

That's great WW., wish you'd been my teacher at school...do yours participate in the 'nature quiz'? I don't know if it's still going and if it was nationwide but a lot of primary schools in gloucestershire were involved when I was younger.

[Wild-Woman]

Originally Posted by honeybee

That's great WW., wish you'd been my teacher at school...do yours participate in the 'nature quiz'? I don't know if it's still going and if it was nationwide but a lot of primary schools in gloucestershire were involved when I was younger.

Nature quiz. Mmm. Sounds very interesting. Tell me more.

[honeybee]

Hi. I'm not sure of the details as it was a while ago for me but participating schools(in the county) had a team of 4 or 5 with a captain and played against each other answering general questions on wildlife and then it went to the final of 4 schools. Maybe you should speak to your LEA/wildlife trust... I cant work out if it was organised by glos wildlife trust (see link) or what but it was great fun. We used to go on occassional days out to look for things etc to build up our knowledge. Obviously it helps to have a parent or teacher like yourself who knows what they're on about.

Annual Primary Schools Wildlife Quiz

[Wild-Woman]

That's great honeybee. I will certainly look into that. I know several peeps from Kent WT. Ta muchly. julie

[Earth Hart]

Originally Posted by Sheryl LaBouchardiere

What we learn about the world should come form direct experience and not only from books. Thats why art is so valuable, its totally hands on. Teach them to really listen to hear small sounds in the distance, the feel of things in nature, the scents in the air all that will all sharpen their minds further. Keep up the good work

Back in the '70s I ran a series of events in the local schools in Brighton called "SenseAtions" where we looked at each of our senses including the sense of feel, which is different to touch. All the senses were went through out in the town, park & beach. When it came to sight, the children, & I, were blidfolded & had to walk from the seafront, through the town to Preston Park, on the way calling in to the Co-op cafe for lunch, all the time blindfolded. Each 'blind person had a guide who asked questions about how they were feeling, what sensations were they picking up, direction was communicated by movement of the guide's arm.

After spending some time in the park we took a mini-bus up to Ditchling Beacon & when the light was low enough our blindfolds came off. The guides were now at a disadvantage as they had been in the sunlight all day, those 'blind' could now See far better than their guides. They found this amazing The children also found more confidence in themselves & in the world about them, amongst other things

Recently I was asked to run a young people's programme, at a 'New Age self-development camp'. I had 15 youngsters between 7 & 16 who were up for a 3 day workshop, having briefed them on the first day of the camp we gathered on the second day to start, sadly I was given an adult helper, when I went through the running order & came to the blindfold session, he said in exclamation that he would be too scared to do that I could have cut him in two, the look he got was not enough. Thanks to his intervention I lost 10. Now I only work with those who understand what is going on.

A lot of what I do comes from martial arts training, opening up one's senses to your surroundings. SenseAtions is run over 2/3 days with either half a day or a whole day blindfolded, usually during one of the holidays. For the blindfold session each blind person has to have an older guide. I meet the guides & take them through the day & what is exspected of them.

I have tried SenseAtions on adults but it's hard work they won't let go

It's only when you touch a child's mind with wonder do you see the light. Sense work is so important to a child's growth that it should be on the NC. But I don't think it will happen, it comes down to real teachers like you W.W. to do the job. Keep it up, if I can help in any way, shape or form, drop me a line.

[Owl-Light]

Really interesting sessions Will. I've always had a great interest in Martial Arts myself but can't seem to find a style that suits me. Did Shotokan Karate for a while, enjoyed it but the club empahsis was more sport than art. When a real Japanese Master came to visit and took the class the difference was incredible. Sadly I knew my instructor didn't have the same focus so I left.

What style/s have you trained in?

I'm very interested in the Internal Martial arts now especially Chi Gung and Nei Gung. Hope to be taking Tai Chi/Chi Gung classes from mid October with a bit of luck.

Would love to do Kyudo - Japanese Archery but the nearest club is in Oxford. Unfortunately too far to travel for regular sessions.

[Earth Hart]

Originally Posted by Sheryl LaBouchardiere

Really interesting sessions Will. I've always had a great interest in Martial Arts myself but can't seem to find a style that suits me. Did Shotokan Karate for a while, enjoyed it but the club empahsis was more sport than art. When a real Japanese Master came to visit and took the class the difference was incredible. Sadly I knew my instructor didn't have the same focus so I left.

What style/s have you trained in?

I'm very interested in the Internal Martial arts now especially Chi Gung and Nei Gung. Hope to be taking Tai Chi/Chi Gung classes from mid October with a bit of luck.

Would love to do Kyudo - Japanese Archery but the nearest club is in Oxford. Unfortunately too far to travel for regular sessions.

I've worked with hand weapons since I was 18, took up Kendo & Ei in '73 at the Butokukan Dojo under Sensei Rould Knutsen, who is the highest ranked Yudansha outside of Japan. He teaches old style ru, can't remember the name, he'd have be doing saburi for half an hour for frogeting. Did it for 14 yrs and some Kyudo, John Piper, he's great.

Rold used to have us on the Downs for a long weekend, using the old earthworks as defences, hard work but it was a military camp. Rould set up the British Kendo Remei in '66. It is a Traditional Kendo rather that sport kendo school. The Spirit is the most important area that sport kendo doesn't have.

I've looked around this area but no Remei dojos anywhere. Wish there were.

[Owl-Light]

Originally Posted by Earth Hart

I've worked with hand weapons since I was 18, took up Kendo & Ei in '73 at the Butokukan Dojo under Sensei Rould Knutsen, who is the highest ranked Yudansha outside of Japan. He teaches old style ru, can't remember the name, he'd have be doing saburi for half an hour for frogeting. Did it for 14 yrs and some Kyudo, John Piper, he's great.

Rold used to have us on the Downs for a long weekend, using the old earthworks as defences, hard work but it was a military camp. Rould set up the British Kendo Remei in '66. It is a Traditional Kendo rather that sport kendo school. The Spirit is the most important area that sport kendo doesn't have.

I've looked around this area but no Remei dojos anywhere. Wish there were.

Interesting stuff. Fasinating that you've done some Kyudo yourself, its not widely known over here really.

[Earth Hart]

Originally Posted by Sheryl LaBouchardiere

Interesting stuff. Fasinating that you've done some Kyudo yourself, its not widely known over here really.

It was all part of Roald's approach to Bushido. Know your weapons. I was never ranked in Kyudo. I enjoy a bit of field archery nowadays.

[Owl-Light]

Originally Posted by Earth Hart

It was all part of Roald's approach to Bushido. Know your weapons. I was never ranked in Kyudo. I enjoy a bit of field archery nowadays.

Never been interested in the sports aspect or even any kind of ranking system. Just not the competitive type. Its the Art and the spiritual/contemplative aspects that interest me. Focus and harmony with the bow and the target. I also like the fact that its never used for hunting.

Some friends of mine use the English Longbow. I was tempted because I love the tradition but at 5 foot 2 inches tall it seemed bigger than me when I held one Things that suit the Japanese tend to suit me too for that reason (among many)

Back on topic, its a shame they don't teach Martial Arts in Schools it would be great character building.

[Earth Hart]

Originally Posted by Sheryl LaBouchardiere

Never been interested in the sports aspect or even any kind of ranking system. Just not the competitive type. Its the Art and the spiritual/contemplative aspects that interest me. Focus and harmony with the bow and the target. I also like the fact that its never used for hunting.

Some friends of mine use the English Longbow. I was tempted because I love the tradition but at 5 foot 2 inches tall it seemed bigger than me when I held one Things that suit the Japanese tend to suit me too for that reason (among many)

The Remei is not into ranking as is sport Kendo, you have to earn it. I've only got Ni dan, after that I didn't enter for ranking as an old Kendo axiom says: You know how good a swordsman is when you cross swords and feel his energy.

I like the Longbow but was told off when I used the Kyudo stance, I find it better for me as I'm only 5ft6ins. In Japan, the bow was a horseman's weapon, that's why the grip is 2/3rds down the bow, so it could be moved easily from side to side of the horse. I just love Yew & am looking for a nice longbow at the moment.

[Owl-Light]

Originally Posted by Earth Hart

...I like the Longbow but was told off when I used the Kyudo stance, I find it better for me as I'm only 5ft6ins.

I suppose if you're learning a tradition you have to abide by the prescribed way of doing things. But, at the end of the day, I always believe if something 'feels right', then quite simply, it is. If it works better for you to employ a Kyudo stance when you're out on your own then do it. The proof of the pudding and all that...

Like all things its best to keep a fluid approach, too many people get very rigid in their attitudes and techniques and it just locks them up.

[BartonFlyer]

Enthralling young minds can have it's perils though - many (more than I care to think of) years ago I went on VSO to Jamaica and found myself at 18 years old, the head of science in a junior school - we had no textbooks, no equipment so I just had to make up the lessons - embarking on biology I asked the kids to bring in some local bugs so we could look at them & discuss habitat etc - the snag was the kids knew much more about local bugs than I did and the worst was when a young lad turned up grinning from ear to ear with both hands wrapped around something, not letting me see. Fortunately I had the good sense to get a jamjar rather then just let him drop the thing into my hands - it turned out to be a "forty-legs", the most frightening thing I'd ever seen - a centipede about 10 inches long that looked ready for a fight - needless to say the kids in the class found it hilarious!!

[Earth Hart]

Originally Posted by Sheryl LaBouchardiere

Like all things its best to keep a fluid approach, too many people get very rigid in their attitudes and techniques and it just locks them up.

An old Japanese Sensei always used water to show us fluidity & told us to read the "Art of War" by Sun Zu, a 3rd,4th centuary BC Chinese military philosopher. A very good read in many ways.

[speckled wood]

Originally Posted by Sheryl LaBouchardiere

Like all things its best to keep a fluid approach, too many people get very rigid in their attitudes and techniques and it just locks them up.

Takes me back to my sister and her husband "We would love to see a Glowworm" and are avid watchers of Springwatch, Autumnwatch etc, but when it comes to 11PM on a summers evening (or any other time for that matter) and you can't prise them out of their chairs.

On another subject I spent four years as a school governor, what shocked me was the turnover in teachers and also the hostility when it came to promotion towards teachers who had spent a long time in one post ..... always "too set in their ways".

[Owl-Light]

Originally Posted by speckled wood

Takes me back to my sister and her husband "We would love to see a Glowworm" and are avid watchers of Springwatch, Autumnwatch etc, but when it comes to 11PM on a summers evening (or any other time for that matter) and you can't prise them out of their chairs.

On another subject I spent four years as a school governor, what shocked me was the turnover in teachers and also the hostility when it came to promotion towards teachers who had spent a long time in one post ..... always "too set in their ways".

Nothi9ng worn with specialising. I'd say the 'authorities' were the ones too set in their ways.