My CI meditation of late has been on the importance of making what we say relevant and interesting, and on a good day compelling, to our students. I think that, at the end of the day, that is why I prefer stories and working from a creative script over PQA.
Erin sent a poem about that for us:
Hola, Ben!
I was reminded today of a poem that I’ve always loved, and I think we as CI teachers can draw some inspiration from it.
Napoleon
BY MIROSLAV HOLUB
Children, when was
Napoleon Bonaparte born,
asks teacher.
A thousand years ago, the children say.
A hundred years ago, the children say.
Last year, the children say.
No one knows.
Children, what did
Napoleon Bonaparte do,
asks teacher.
Won a war, the children say.
Lost a war, the children say.
No one knows.
Our butcher had a dog
called Napoleon,
says Frantisek.
The butcher used to beat him and the dog died
of hunger
a year ago.
And all the children are now sorry
for Napoleon.
Erin continues:
Our students will only hold onto what they learn if we make them care about it. Stories are what help us do that.
Peace,
Erin