"The free play of art is the result of mastery. " --Ernst Fischer, The Necessity of Art

"Children are likely to live up to what you believe of them." --Ladybird Johnson

"...a well-trained ear, a well-trained intelligence, a well-trained heart, and a well-trained hand...." --Zoltan Kodaly

2/2/11

Reality: daily life

From classroom teachers' stories about talking about Martin Luther King, what racism means, and how kids can help to change things:

from the First Grade Classroom....

Teacher    Does anyone have anything they'd like to add?

Francine*    Yes! My Mom shows racism, 'specially during the winter time.

Teacher   What do you mean, Franny?  Can you explain that a little more?

Francine*   Oh yes!  She's mean to mice, she catches them in a trap, so she shows racism.

and from Fifth Grade:

Teacher   Would anyone like to add anything about the movie and discussion we had today?  Did anything confuse or surprise you?

Danny*    Well, I would.  I was surprised to hear  that Martin Luther King worked to end puberty.

Teacher    Hmmm....he worked to end puberty?

Danny*   Oh.  That's not the right word, is it?  It starts with 'p'.   Let me think about this for a minute.
 Oh!  I meant, 'poverty'...



*Danny and Francine are, of course, not these students' real names.

No comments: