Caution: Teachers at Play

Aaron and Eva enjoy Ken Paulson's presentation about the First Amendment on June 20.

As we have all grown to know each other better, there has been an increase in playful experimenting. We have established trust in each other and are not afraid to be silly.  This is an essential part of working as a team.  My group really wanted those red t-shirts.  We were willing to think divergently to get them.  (We didn't win, but we came close.)

But the t-shirts were not the point.  The point is that play is part of flow, which is essential to deep learning.  Hilari and Aaron and I wandered around with our cameras trying to figure out our story even as we filmed.  We played until a coherent point emerged.  I was aware of what I was learning about camera work and about storytelling.

Today has been a good reminder that I need to find more ways to get my literature classes to play.   My journalism students already do.  They are quite serious about the results of their work, but the playing tests ideas, creates friendships, and keeps brains engaged.  I want all of my students to feel that way and I have not been tending to that need nearly enough in my planning lately.  Honestly, after the first few months of the school year, I start to feel overloaded with papers and family commitments and I sometimes forget to invest in my students experience.  I am always invested in their learning, but I start to forget to tend their experience.  After I go home, I will be re-planning not only journalism courses, but also my World Lit. with the Reynolds Institute experience in mind.

Bonnie Katzive
Monarch High School
Louisville, CO