Railroad whisks

 Pattern Maker

Something that is created beautifully is something that is worth of preserving.  A practice/skill that possesses viability is something worth keeping and that’s where “good modeling “comes in, a teacher becoming a pattern maker for his students to follow or imitate.  I think this is an important element of teaching the students.   The mystery of the “hidden curriculum” where it does not have to be intentionally shown but it is naturally revealed.  Nevertheless, it is an advantage if the “pattern” that the teacher and the school is “making” is worth keeping.  But what a pity and a shame if it is the other side around. My point is, the way a life is lived in the classroom and inside the school speak a lot in shaping the interior image of the learner.  As the responsibility of the academe, how “creative” are we to care and to dare to evaluate those “exterior” elements that will shape up something that is worth keeping?

Using tools to birth life

  I noticed that any tools in teaching that was created or is used, it is important that at the end of an activity, insights and connections between the subject and the learner must be established.  It is like making the “tools” speak to the learners so that “new” learnings will be born.  I think creative tools in teaching are the powerful and effective drives for learning cultivation. But flaws could happen if they are not used appropriately. Learning may not be nurtured, it may be malnourished and it could be… lifeless.   Furthermore, as I apply this knowing as a teacher, I am more motivated to use these tools wisely, appropriately, timely and effectively to birth and discover always a new life of learning. 

Drawing into the world 

Christians, sometimes, tend to be too fanatic with how we use “biblical” and “Christianized” materials in our in the church.  But I believe that “creativity” and “beauty” are not bounded from these markings alone.  There are many beautiful literature, songs, dance’s steps, paintings that are waiting to be appreciated and acknowledged.  There are still part of God’s revelation of Him being the “Creator”. I think, when teaching in churches, I would like to take this stance, that drawing modest, honorable, an ethical works from the world for spiritual nourishment-outgrowth is I think still significant.

The railroad’s whisk 

Lesson plans are lessons planned in advance or may be steps/topics in line when teaching.  But lesson plans should have a “railroad’s whisk” distinctive too.  Meaning, the teacher should be flexible and be ready for quick switching of ideas.  The switching will depend on the interest, opinion or questions raised by the learners.  During this moment, the path of the lesson may need to take a little curvy move but I think when this happens, the direction or the goal is what should always be kept in mind.  For example, to use opposing reactions or opinions of the learners triggered by a certain topic.  The teacher may dwell from the existing reaction/opinion to emphasize the 'planned' objective.  As a teacher, I should be sensitive with the pre-assumed ideas of my learners that might just bubble-up during the discussion and use these clumps to move back in relearning and learning new things as the discussions go along.

All about movements

 Learning is moving from one place to another.  Creative teaching is all about movements.  All the entities of the human form and all the things that surround man are paved to move and to shift: to create, to strategize, to organize are all movements to stir interest and to transmit a definite motion of learning.  As a teacher, my aim shouldn’t be just to maneuver my class to move towards the objectives of my lesson plan but to particularly involve them to the unseen rhythmic structure of learning which is to transpose measurable learning into an unforgettable and timeless one.