To sell an idea, promote a product or further a mission, one must craft the perfect sales pitch. Getting someone to purchase something he really does not need or want, takes persuasion, persistence and probable cause. Our company mugs are lovely, but who needs another mug? It’s what the mug represents, the purpose for funding and the delivery of the sales pitch that will make or break the sale. Want to buy a mug?

For years, teachers have engaged in taking running records to assess reading progress. Teachers analyze mistakes, determine strategies to help students correct mistakes and create an instructional plan of next steps to help students become proficient readers. When used correctly, this tool can provide great insight into teaching and learning in a profound way.

The first week of school, my former colleague, Ellen Bloom, came to my class to teach students how to monitor their own reading progress by administering running records. Why should the teacher be the sole proprietor of the assessment tool and the process through which students learn to be better readers?

As students learn to monitor their own progress and the progress of their peers, they better understand themselves as readers and for the first time, can unlock the meaning to the printed words on the page. The words come to life. It all begins to make sense.

Since Ms. Bloom’s visit in September, my students have persevered in their efforts to become proficient readers. They coach one another and provide unsolicited assistance and support for fellow readers. When we turn over the responsibility of learning to our students, they do not disappoint.

Though the sky was spitting wetness and the damp, cold air was uninviting, it didn’t keep us in. Parked under the overhang of the school entrance, we sat in the stillness. We let our pencils guide us as we poured our thoughts and feelings onto paper.

[Read more…] about A Rainy, Introspective Morning

Before attending our school choir and band concert last week, I knew it was important to discuss “audience etiquette.” So, as we do in teaching many concepts and ideas, we presented a metaphor to help us better understand our significance as members of an audience. Each company member took a domino and gently placed it on the carpet, standing up right, one next to the other. I asked the class how these dominoes represent us. A discussion ensued. Then, someone tapped a domino and the rest fell in succession. I asked again how these dominoes represent us. The discussion continued and all came away from the conversation thinking a bit more about how one affects the whole. The next day, we revisited this theme and wrote what we were thinking. If we could harness these thoughts and keep them tucked inside us as reminders of how everything we do affects someone else, our actions might be different and our world would certainly be.

[Read more…] about The Domino Effect

As we move through the hiring process and prepare contracts for each company member, we ask the essential question, Why should we hire you for a job in the opera company?

This question serves to enlighten and inform our decisions as to whom will be best suited as electricians, performers, composers, writers, public relations officers, costume and makeup designers, set designers, stage manager and production manager. Where do we see the most interest? In which job will the student grow most? What skills and abilities does the student exhibit that will contribute to the collaborative work of the specific job group? Individual student interviews not only give children an authentic experience as eight year olds, but also a sneak preview of what to expect as adults in the work world.

[Read more…] about Why You Should Hire Me

In order to truly take off our masks, we first need to design and make a physical representation of our metaphors. Nina Muys, retired art teacher, led the company in a session of mask making that taught not only the artistic process of creating an actual mask, but also the care and respect the artist must give his subject. Company members carefully prepared short strips of plastic craft and gently placed the wet strips on their partners’ faces to create the perfect shape, texture and mold. The manner in which students demonstrated care and concern for one another was absolutely beautiful. Each made his partner feel comfortable and secure in the process. As the masks hardened, company members delighted in the ceremonial removing of the masks.

[Read more…] about Mask Making

Though we had a clear plan, improved communication and the will to persevere, our second attempt to defeat the Magic Carpet Challenge was not successful. The company experienced a host of emotions during the sixty minute session. Did we fail or just not finish? The written reflections expressed deep, thought provoking thoughts and feelings that will carry us into our next challenge. Jamoya emphatically stated, “I’m not going to let this barrier block me.”  None of us will, Jamoya.

When first we broke into groups of three to discuss the central message of our opera, Andrew, Beki and Josúe seemed a bit uncomfortable as they attempted to communicate. Neither Beki nor Josúe has a command of the English language. In fact, Josúe arrived from El Salvador in August speaking no English at all. Beki had a head start on understanding as she arrived in the United States late last school year. As other groups conversed and time passed, the three began determining a way to convey their ideas to the company. Beki and Josúe offered Spanish verbs indicating ways to confront or move past barriers. They charted their ideas in Spanish on large paper. They then showed Andrew the meaning of these words through gesture. As Andrew understood, he shared and wrote the English translation. How ironic that they were actually doing that which they were trying to articulate in words.