While the Red Radish and Garlic while away their time behind bars, here's a look at what "Socratic Seminar" would be like if they were in the class. For those of you who don't know, Socratic Seminar is where you arrange your class in a circle and have a practically unprompted intelligent and respectful discussion about whatever topic the students are studying. No arguing. No interrupting. Just kick off the topic and watch intelligent discussion bloom before your eyes! One out of my 5 classes actually does this naturally. I love them. My other 4 classes--not so much.
Yes, that is okra. The okra does not represent me. The above comic strip actually represents teachers learning about Socratic Seminar. I am probably Radish in the above scenario. I hate being told how perfectly something will work in every class and that something is an example of how fabulous teachers teach (except those of you who are completely subpar since this will only work some of the time for you, nyah nyah) knowing that it will a) only work a smidgeon of the time in my classes (which means I suck as a teacher) or b) the amount of work I'd have to put into getting it to work in my classes will obliterate any other learning for most of the semester when there are so many other things I am being asked to accomplish at any given time.
Hence the fork o' doom in my little Radish hand.
OK now I need a drink.
2 comments:
Until I read the blurb under the picture, I thought this was a middle school classroom. But it is true that the line between teacher and student is very thin, except in a classroom setting with teachers as learners, they have shorter attention spans,are even more impatient, and much
ruder than middle school students. Did I mention I have had occasion to facilitate teacher education seminars?
But without those delightfully short attention spans much mirth would be lost. And Radish would not exist. And I seek to never have to present to the staff because of this. I feel your pain.
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