Mr. Holland's Opus....Continued.....

Ok in this you tube clip just watch the first 1 minute are so....the part where he is giving the students their test papers back...Listen to what says.....have you ever felt that way?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdEDp9aOZdk

Now skip to 8 minutes on the recording...

It is important that you see his change....

Notice the difference in the students engagement, when Mr. Holland found the power of relevance.  He created a active learning environment.  When the students see relevance in what you are teaching they will be engaged in the learning experience.  Also notice the asst. principal's reaction, cause it was different instructional method....

now go to....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyaWxz6bpF4

look at the happiness of Mr. Holland...teacher happy....students happy...look for the relevance in your content....

Perry Ditch

Things to learn from Mr. Holland's Opus-Part 1

I don't claim to be a writer but feel this would be a good way for me to write and reflect about teaching, teachers and the education system.  There is so much we can learn in education from the movie Mr. Holland's Opus.  Here is Part 1 of a series of reflections and thoughts......

In the beginning of Mr. Holland's opus we see that Mr. Holland kind of stumbled into teacher.  He was really just needed a job and some money so he could pursue writing his symphony.  I do feel that most teachers do not enter into the profession with this thought in mind.  Most are inspired by a certain teacher that they had through their years as a student.  But, nevertheless he entered with a miss conception about teaching and very little training.  Lets look at his first day....(click on the youtube link)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLaHHGYGlZM

The look on his face is priceless.....how many times in your first year were you amazed at the lack of knowledge your students have? or puzzled with "where do I begin?' It is important to understand at this point that its not the students fault...they are where they are.  Start there, don't be frustrated and just start where they are.  I had a former student teacher come to me in their first year complaining about how the students were like 2 grades behind where they should be for their age group.  If that is where they are then start there...and teach!  

Lets continue and see what happens to Mr. Holland in his first few days.....

Here the Principal (even in the 1950's) talks about meetings and advisors etc.....Listen to his explanation about how he is working on the content....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etxyRiTupxo

Have you felt that way? Have you heard others feel that way? Have you seen others that leave when they are no longer on the "clock".

She makes a great point.  We are to, as teachers,  help to point the students to their future, give them options not limit them by saying "you shouldn't do this" or "that"...but help them see their options.  So yes steer them but also keep them moving in a direction.  Think about how powerful that responsibility is, the Bible says in James 3:1 “Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness” (James 3:1 ESV) 

Yes we have a big responsibility to be careful what direction we lead our students.  We need to honor the parents wishes and include them in the discussion about the direction their child is going.  Again not limiting their direction but helping to funnel the student in a direction.  In our society today we have many students in a home structure that is not stable.  Those students need our guidance, our compassion and enduring help.

I have more to add, but will continue this in later Parts...

Perry Ditch