At last!! I've found a respected educational researcher who verifies what I've thought and done for years. Roger Schank is so controversial yet I find myself in agreement with him much of the time. Now remember, I am a history and English teacher. I've taught several other subjects - math, health, P.E., and a host of others, but principally, history and English.
I am a storyteller. I say that to my students at the start of every year. The literature aspect of English is a no-brainer in terms of storytelling. But think about the word history - HIS - STORY. Now excusing the gender bias, history is the story of mankind meeting human needs and wants. I tell my students that history is not dates or even names or places. History is stories that happen to be true (hopefully). The dates, names and places come automatically if the story is interesting enough. Making it interesting enough is my job. I can't show history as it happens like a chemistry lab; I can't take these kids to the places history happened. There are simulations, most of which are a waste of time. All I can do is tell the story in the right way, using technology such as films, websites, and the Internet to help.
Every great teacher uses stories. Aesop, Confucius, Buddha, Christ, Plato, as well as some of the readings we have been doing such as Piaget. In fact, without the stories, Piaget would be very difficult to understand. (And after reading this week's readings I now understand Brian when he says that for Piaget, things get lost in translation. A master's in French - my hat's off to you.)Everyone loves a good story and storytelling has been the means of education since humans learned language.
This brings me, at last, to the second key to teaching that my mentor, Willard Jessop, taught me. (I told the first key in my first blog entry.) He was one of the greatest teachers this state has ever seen. He told me, "Lorna, to be a good teacher, you have to be at least half an actor. Every time you stand up to teach, it somewhat of a performance. And it has to be a good performance. Your students have to come to believe you and trust you." I believe this is true and I've worked for years to become a good classroom actor. When I tell a story, I am dramatic, I use strong words, I express emotion. If I am talking about someone in history who did something stupid, I express dismay, disappointment, and anger. On the other I hand, I cheer the successes and achievements.
Don't think I am like this by nature; I'm not, but I have remembered Mr. Jessop and worked to be that actor. I have often wondered what my own kids would think of me if they saw me teach because I am a different person in the classroom. But I have no trouble holding my students' attention. My biggest problem is keeping up the energy to do this.
