Someone recently told me that they really like my tag at the end of my emails that I send from my UNBC account. It is an old (I think) Chinese proverb that says "Life is an echo; what you send out comes back." When I stumbled upon this saying/proverb (are these words interchangeable?) a couple of years ago, it immediately struck a chord with me. This is how I try to live my life, although I'll admit that sometimes it is easier said than done.
During our last art class, we were required to do some basic drawing to start the class (why am I telling you this...you were there). I'm not kidding guys, I am so uncomfortable with visual arts and drawing that I LITERALLY started to sweat! I find that when I am uncomfortable with something or really lacking in skill, my default attitude is very negative and I am not one to hesitate to let my feelings be known. However, as I was racking my brain (again) to think of something to write about for my blog, for some reason that Chinese proverb popped into my head. "Life is an echo; what you send out comes back." As a teacher if I project my negative attitude about visual arts to my students, chances are that they (at least some of them) are going to start thinking negative about visual arts. That is not what I want to see happen. While I am not a huge fan of visual arts, I do see the value in it and I think it is important for us as teachers to allow and encourage our students to find their own passions in school and in life. What I need to work on as a teacher (maybe as a person?) is to not let my own insecurities and personal bias ruin things for others, especially impressionable children. It's a work in progress, but I'm trying.
That is all.
Ironically, I feel the same way about singing!! The first few classes where we sang and danced I was in a hand-shaking, cold sweat!! I felt this way until we switched it up to drawing in the more recent classes...now I feel like I'm in my comfort zone! I know how you are feeling during drawing class though...
ReplyDeleteI like how you used the proverb to help rework your thinking...I'm going to try that myslef, although I will NEVER sing....EVER. But I will explore ways to make singing (music) a positive experience for my students--CD's? YouTube? I'll figure it out though (I hope) because I know how important it is :)
Two things Laura:
Delete1) Check out soundation.com/studio (which I mention in a recent blog post) you can use it to mix music/audio files. This is a "cool" way to do some music especially for people who are uncomfortable with singing or instruments.
2) Now that you've mentioned you don't like to sing I really think we need to have a class Karaoke night... does that make me a bad person?
yes, Michael, yes it does. haha
DeleteWell said, Chris, well said. I completely agree with your post, and sympathize with it too. Sigh. It's tough not to project our opinions sometimes isn't it?
ReplyDeleteI think this is ridiculously important. I am constantly telling people (and myself) that we can brainwash ourselves into believing anything or into liking anything. I like thinking of it as brainwashing, because that's what it really is... changing the way you think. We don't know what our students are going to end up doing with their lives. It would be awful to learn later that they almost didn't do something because of our influence. My biggest struggle in this area is the same, not doing something I don't feel good at. It's usually sports for me. You're going to see that next semester. I'm like the kid who doesn't try so that at least they can say it wasn't really their best. Can anyone say fixed mindset?? Hmmm... time for a little brainwashing!!
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the post and for the thoughtful comments. It is so important to face the fear of various art forms and other activities such as sports and talk about it. Where does it come from? What has made us, as adults, so afraid of looking foolish or not appearing perfectly competent in all things? How can we avoid creating similar inhibiting conditions for our students? I have tried to model an invitational, strength-based approach that has something for everyone and eases people into new experiences without asking you to take risks that are beyond you. I have tried to share my own love of music and visual art as well as my admiration for the value of drama and yes, even dance, to unleash creative potential. It would be such a pity, Chris, if someone missed experiencing a joy similar to what you feel when you play music, just because their teachers didn't enjoy that subject area and didn't introduce it! (or worse, introduced it but communicated their distaste!)
ReplyDelete