Comments on: The Greatest Literature Lecture You’ll Never Give

By: JNET

JNET — Mon, 06 Sep 2010 01:12:47 +0000

Thanks for the great post

As a music teacher, I also value that my students own their art and the process. I’ve spent quite a few times in silence as my students sorted out their notes and played the way that “they” meant to correctly.

If they can comfortably get over the discomfort of being stuck in the moment and find their “voice”, I know they will be fine in the independent practice time… I only see most of my students once a week… afterall

Cheers,

JNET

By: TC

TC — Sat, 20 Jun 2009 07:28:40 +0000

I will try this next year. I hope it works. It sounds like a great way to get students to focus and on something other than the person sitting next to them when they enter the classroom. I usually have the talk and walk at the same time set of students. Thanks for the LP suggestion!

By: Andy

Andy — Tue, 09 Jun 2009 03:20:31 +0000

Great idea! I like the spontaneity and open-mindedness of your approach.
I have done a more structured variation of it in my 11th grade English class in which they come to class knowing that I will not be allowed to speak (although I can’t help myself sometimes!). They are, however, responsible for bringing questions to the class that will generate discussion.
I am curious to try your method, though.

By: Ayn

Ayn — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 13:29:33 +0000

Nick,
I love your very clear description of a challenging classroom exercise–challenging for teachers as well as for students. I know that this activity works because I taught this way for many years. Also, I’ve been teaching teachers to teach this way for nearly ten years. I love your opening line (and agree with you wholeheartedly): Teachers talk too much. Hallelujah! Because this looks so familiar to me, I do have one question: have our paths crossed sometime in the last decade?

By: Nick

Nick — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 06:28:39 +0000

I’m glad it worked! And thanks for the mention on your blog.

By: Wes

Wes — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 04:04:11 +0000

Great Idea! I tried this in my classroom the other day and it worked like a charm… and it was pretty fun, too.

Thanks.

By: Matematik Özel Ders

Matematik Özel Ders — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 04:49:27 +0000

interesting and cool

By: D

Fri, 28 Dec 2007 23:49:43 +0000

How did this work for kids with processing issues or expressive language disabilities? I’m just curious..

By: Nick

Nick — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 06:46:56 +0000

Thanks for your comment and questions, Graycie! I enjoyed looking at your blog, and I’ve added it to my blogroll.

I use this lesson with eighth graders, but I think it would transfer to higher levels, too. Most students are so used to being lectured to that the SO WHAT class is inherently interesting, regardless of their level.

The maturity issue can be a problem, but one technique I use is to make sure I have a set of disciplinary notices handy during the class. If a student starts to give goofy answers or get off task, I pantomime offering one to him or her. That’s all it usually takes.

But the key is to already have a firm command of management, and the students’ respect. I always wait until at least late October before doing this lesson. And there have been years that I’ve passed right over it because the class wouldn’t have been able to handle it.

Please visit again, and I always love reading comments from readers!

By: graycie

graycie — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 15:29:30 +0000

Wow. Really — this is terrific. I teach English/Language Arts to very high-level freshmen and remedial seniors (not both at the same time, thank goodness!). Because of the extreme differences in my students’ abilities, willingness, and maturity, I wonder what levels (age, experience, and ability you have used this lesson with.