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Simon,

This is exactly why I am hoping that Kate can hold a prac training in the States this summer!

Phil

Thanks Simon,

I'm absolutely sure that Kate is the person I'd lke to train with. The thing is, I keep putting off applying for her seminar...what with my husband's resrvations, what with my own fears..You know, I'm not exactly the kind of person who jets off from place to place very easily or spends time abroad alone...
But this post of yours (as well as Carole's the other day) is really helpful...!

Chris

Chris,

You are wise to pay attention to issues of ecology, as I think many folks get in trouble with their decision making process when they have not done thorough ecology checks. When it is time for you to do this, you will know, and it will feel right!

I hope that you are having a lovely day with children, as I am!

Be well, and at peace,

Phil

Schools close for the Christmas holidays on Tuesday, in Greece. And I really look forward to that day!! Yeahhhhh! (I feel really tired...)

What about yours Phil?

Today is my last day, Chris, and I have two classes left to teach--choir, and a split class of five and six year olds--remember the ones that always want to hug me? That's the one! After that, the whole building is having parties, so I will be done teaching.

And yes, a break is nice!

Phil

Hi Phil and Chris,

Enjoy the festive break!

Happy Christmas and New Year!

Best Wishes,

Violeta

Grazie, Violeta! Buon Natale!

Just finished choir class--that group of fifty nine and ten year olds sang their hearts out! One class to go, and then it is party time, and celebrating tonight by going out to a play with friends. Woo Hoo!

Phil

Grazie Phil'

Woo hoo e complimenti per il tuo Italiano!

Buon divertimento!

Violeta

Violeta,

Io parlo Italiano perche Il canto! E, Italiano e la piu bellisima lingua del mondo per cantare!

Felipe

Ciao Felipe,

E vero, non so come non mi e venuto in mente!

L'Italiano e una lingua bellisima sia per il canto sia per tutti i giorni...

Ciao Violeta

I haven't posted any education "stuff" in a while, but I had a cool one this morning...

When getting students to volunteer to answer questions, its important that everyone gets the opportunity. Some kids know the answers, but are shy about raising their hand. This morning, after the regular three or four extroverts all raised their hands, I decided to just wait and watch what happened. Then I saw one girl's hand start to slowly move towards her face, although most teachers would probably not interpret her motion as "raising your hand." I waited another second, and then looked directly at her, raised my eyebrows, and said, "yes?" Out of her mouth popped the correct answer.

Now, I'm going to pay attention to this for the rest of the day, and see what happens, but I suspect it will be more of the same. Very cool demonstration of ideomotor response!

Phil

Hi Phil,

It's amazing what you can see when you really look and wait!

I bet, you made that girls day!

Violeta

Hi Violeta,

Well, it happened again with another class later on! Same story...ideomotor response, I looked at him, said, "yes," except this time he sat there completely unsure of himself. I said, "I know you have the answer in there. Give it to me! (as I held out my hand cupped in front of him)" Finally when he did, of course it was correct, and I said, "I don't know why you waited so long!"

Phil

excellent one of the most important things an educator can have - besides unconditional positive regard for the learners is the ability to wait for answers. WAIT TIME is critical --- and you did a wonderful thing by waiting.

Sometimes it seems tough to do - but we must remember - we already know the answer so we have all the time in the world to give everyone the opporunity to answer the question.

Great way to train the slow responders too

everyone gets a chance...

Hi,

I second that!

Violeta

Rex and Violeta, thanks!

I learned a long time ago in teaching that wait time is very important, and there will always be kids whose hands shoot up immediately when you ask a question. Those students typically are the ones who don't need the opportunity to answer as much. Any little tools I can use to coax answers out of students who more slowly respond are great!

This morning we were doing an ear training exercise, and I watched a boy's eyes, while he was comparing the sound of his answer with mine. I was brave and told the class, "I already know how you came up with the correct answer, but I want you to tell us!" At first he said, "I don't know..." but I just looked at him and said, "sure you do. Go back and tell us what you did, knowing that when you share this strategy with others in the class, it might help them next time." Immediately he began to explain the process he went through to arrive at the correct answer!

Teaching is so much more fun when you start to notice all those interesting little things!

Phil

again very nice

Thanks Phil

Wait time is really important with the horses too. Sometimes the wait is actually built in as part of the exercise. Mostly though we use a wait time after asking questions and receiving answers, we often give a wait time that is a little longer than the answer was if you get my drift.

This is chill time where we make the trainer the comfort zone, when the horse chooses to stay we know we have maintained good rapport. During this time we watch to see the 'penny drop' and when the horse lowers his head, his eyes change shape, his ears flop, lip hangs, yawns, rolls eyes and yawns he will remember the lesson. I always wonder what is going on in there - maybe its just as you describe.

We don't ask 'that question' again for some weeks - then when we do - boom - the answer is fast. Face and body position asking for another question.

This process makes them very confident - yesterday I met a noisy quad bike when I was out walking a young horse and rather than shy he rushed up to it full of curiosity. When I spoke to the driver and asked if we could go close the horse asked for his wait.

WOW, Carol. What a fascinating story. Thank you for sharing.

My sister owns horses, and actually operates a horse rescue facility, which I consider to be a very noble thing! Now I have something to pick her brain about!

BTW, do you know where the expression "penny drop" comes from, as you are the second person today who has used this expression with me. Is someone trying to tell me something?

Phil

How brilliant, I know people who do something similar here and its quite a task. I wonder if she's using NLP, natural systems and so on with the horses?

I don't know about the penny dropping but I have experienced a great trance induction of a pebble being dropped into my head.