November 29, 2008

Thoughts about the past two Thursday classes -- "Gum Control" tings.

As with much of what we do, the purpose is to be aware of how you participate in the activity. The question of how to enforce a rule about gum-chewing is perhaps trivial on one level (if you compare it with academic honesty expectations, for example), moderately engaging on another (if you see the issue as relevant to academic atmosphere and to speaking articulately), and philosophical (if you deal with the broader question of whether any rule should be followed, what the consequences for not following are, and how do you change it if you don't like it).

The group of 35 was given the task; some chose not to engage actively. Others asked questions, expressed opinions, assumed leadership. What kind of leadership is necessary to answer the question? What role did I play in the first session? Sam in the second? What role did you play? How did you feel about your participation? Should we pursue the question until we get an answer? What techniques were used to engage the group?

For students in my Tuesday class - is there a connection to my response to your lack of follow-through on the Kennedy inaugural speech assignment? When is an individual student supposed to take responsibility and when does he or she rely on the teacher or on others? Is absence an excuse? Does it matter if it is not graded? What motivates you to do any assignment?

Higher education and beyond will require initiative and actively assuming responsibility.

SLH

Kennedy's Inaugural Address

Part I

Part II

As written on my homework pages......

November 18, 2008 - for my section (SLH)

How can John F. Kennedy's iniaugural address be presented as powerfully as possible? I introduced the speech, and we read aloud parts, stopping to look at the role of pace, passion, inflection, emphasis and stressing what you will learn to be "parallel structure". Google to listen to JFK deliver the speech. Pay attention to his pace, passion, inflection, and emphasis....

What are the parallels with Barack Obama in terms of substance and style???



November 13, 2008

In our class on November 13 we introduced the concept of the "ting", a gathering of all stakeholders, each with an essential role and responsibility to him or herself and to the community. The goal is to serve the common good and make decisions and provide support. Anyone can call a "ting" recognizing that he or she must lead the group and take responsibility for bringing everyone together. The concepts of leadership and citizenship are apparent.

We used the challenge of enforcing the rule against chewing gum in school as both a problem to solve and, perhaps more signficantly, as a metaphor. Matt took notes, many participated, and we will pick up the conversation on November 20.

sorry about being so late, but i have to write about my experience about our walk in the woods. Looking back on it now, i would rather have the bugs biting me, and being uncomftorably hot than how it is now. Think about it, can we go into the woods now? i think it would be too cold and way more uncomfortable than it was before. 

I'm not sure if this is required but in case it is :

I thought that the second round of discussion was much more organized and we accompleshed much more. We were all listening to each other and waiting for our turn to speak. I thoguht Pardo's idea of picking people to speak was really effective. The role I played was contributing ideas for an event that will unify our grade. I really liked a lot of the ideas and I really hope we can follow through with them (or atleast one).

respect

During the last LEAPS class, we had to decide as a class what we wanted to do that would promote leadership and unite our grade. I found this task very hard and frustrating. I felt that i contributed but i found it very hard to contribute. I really don't understand why communication between young adults is so difficult. We are all 17 and 18 years old and there are only 35 of us. being quiet and listening to each other should be much to ask. I think we lack respect for each other because we cant wait our turn and hold our opinions until the person who is talking is finished. I had a lot more to contribute and i feel others in the class would have liked to contribute more, but because everyone was talking and having side conversations it was difficult to voice our opinions and suggestions. I would like to see our class have more respect for each other and to listen to one another.

My rep is Peter King