In the realm of making this project easy for students who have the exact opposite problem, not liking to take themselves seriously, I allow a good variety of options to choose from. In the three years I've been teaching Speech and done this assignment, I've only had one speech chosen that was blatantly funny (a commencement speech by Will Farrell). My favorite choice was made this year, by a quiet and sweet student named Sam. She choose a speech with a fairly serious intent, but a casual and not too serious outcome.
The speech Sam choose to read from was made into a famous song, and was actually written by a woman named Mary Schmich who was a reporter for the Chicago tribune. The speech was mistakenly attributed to Kurt Vonnegut, and was later made into a song.
The great thing about this choice was that Sam wasn't taking herself or the assignment too seriously. It seems the author of the original speech was doling out advice in a casual and fun fashion, and therefore wasn't taking herself too seriously, either.
As educators, we do have a very important job, as we are at least partially responsible for students education and futures. It's very easy to get caught up in all of that, and maybe take ourselves a bit too seriously. Maybe we need to follow the examples set by Sam and Mary, and just have a little fun, and sit back and gain some perspective. Maybe a little reflection will occur, and we'll come up with our own message and/or advice!
Here's the video of Mary's advice:
The video at YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xfq_A8nXMsQ
Read about Mary Schmich:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wear_Sunscreen
Therese,
ReplyDeleteI definitely think you have a point. In this day and age when so much rides on the test scores it is SO easy to get caught up in it all. It is also easy to say, "I will never be one of those teachers who teaches to the test," then forget to stop and take a few moments along the way to make sure we are following our words. Should we take our jobs seriously? Of course we should, like you said we play a part in who these students become. But if that is the only thing that we focus on day in and day out, then when do we stop to take in the smile on that students face, or the chuckle from the quiet kid or the sense of pride from the student who just earned their first A. It is so very important to stop every once in awhile and smell the roses.
Thank you for your post regarding Rule #6. Hearing the video and the sincere advice offered in a casual and easy style was a perfect example of what you're talking about with regard to not taking yourself too seriously. Your student Sam and the other students must enjoy making their conclusions and remarks about their chosen speeches. I think I would enjoy that assignment myself.
ReplyDeleteFunny thing my husband and I were talking about rule #6, and he reacted pretty quickly to a contrary idea that students actually need to take themselves more seriously. I think my husband was referring to "taking responsibility" for actions, rather than the idea of loosening up and not being hard on yourself toward personal failings.
I like the idea of keeping it lite and allowing yourself to relax, take it in, and gain some perspective. Live life and try not to be stifled.