I apologize for the lack of recent activity on this blog. Checking papers is an art which demands nothing less than one's very soul, if only out of respect for the amount of work that my students put in. And still, my workload looms like Mount Parnassus itself. Sigh. At any rate, here's a little something that tided me over when I was despairing at either my inability to teach, my students' seeming inability to learn, and sometimes, even both:
Despite the fact that the article above represents the very antithesis of what I aspire to as a teacher, the following excerpts made me chuckle, just a bit:
"If your children are allowed to unlock their imaginations, anything from a backyard swing set to a child's own bedroom can be transformed into a dangerous undersea castle or dragon's lair," McMillan said. "But by encouraging your kids to think linearly and literally, and constantly reminding them they can never be anything but human children with no extraordinary characteristics, you can better ensure that they will lead prolonged lives."
As well as the dénouement:
Unfortunately, removing everything from a child's field of view that could stimulate his active young mind is extremely time-consuming, and infeasible as a long-term solution, McMillan acknowledges. "To truly protect your children, you must go to great lengths to completely eliminate their curiosity, crush their spirit of amazement, and eradicate their childlike glee. Watch for the danger signs: faraway expressions, giggle fits, and a general air of carefree contentment."
Added McMillan: "Remember, if you see a single sparkle of excitement in their eyes, you haven't done enough."
Hopefully, the rigor with which I check papers will somehow translate into helping kids rediscover a sense of wonder, that if they try hard enough, they will experience the many joys implicit in producing quality work. I know, it's a stretch. But even we teachers can dream...
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