WARNING: I’m either on a high horse or a soapbox grandstanding with an overinflated ego right now. I’m not always this smug or confrontational (I hope…), but some recent events have led up to this post. Read at your own risk.
“He won’t do any work. Just let him sit there.”
“This class will never be controllable when it’s snowing outside.”
“These special ed. students don’t have the hand-eye communication to use scissors.”
Each of these statements is something I’ve been told by a classroom teacher. Each of these statements have been proven wrong. See that photo? It was taken by a 2nd grader, then submitted to a juried art show. It got in. Don’t tell me photography can’t be taught to 2nd graders. I could add more examples, but do I need to?
It is a personality flaw quirk of mine to, when I hear something cannot be done in the classroom, see that as a challenge. Sometimes it turns out the chalenge issuer was right, but more often than not I get to show them what a little effort and guidance can accomplish. They had given up on those students because they did not think they had the time and/or the energy to accomplish the aforementioned tasks and teach the prescribed curriculum. Understandable how they got to that point – I’d be there too if I was in their position – but that doesn’t mean I’ll let it stay that way.
So…
When a classroom teacher tells me they’d love to include more art in their lessons, but they just don’t have the time / energy / creativity / inspiration to do that and cover the mandated curriculum….
Challenge issued.
Challenge accepted.
Just don’t keep saying it can’t be done after I prove you wrong.