When I started teaching back in 1969, computers were unheard of, there was no air conditioning, and the front wall of my classroom was covered with black slate chalk boards. It has been a challenging journey navigating through the changes that never cease.
I always tried to incorporate hands on learning in my classroom. We did crafts, had a painting easel, and did lots of cut and paste art work. One year my class had a hot house, raised their own Marigolds and replanted them around the school ground. Then we collected the seeds and saved them for the following year. We watched the mutations from cross-pollination.
As children start back to school, I wonder what Covid-19 and teaching for the test has done to their creativity. I am glad to see them back in the classroom even with the mask precautions. There are things you just can’t learn by virtual learning. It is essential that we don’t forget the importance of hands on learning and playing together.
Days growing shorter
School buses rumble at dawn
Kids can’t wait to learn
Photo; Dwight L. Roth
Today at d’Verse Frank Tassone asked us to write a back to school haibun. I am thankful my teaching days are log past!
Join us at: https://dversepoets.com
For more stories from my teaching career check out Amazon Kindle:
Roth Poetry 
Ah yes, so true… nothing can take the place of hands-on learning. I am sure you were a wonderful teacher, {{{Dwight}}} – You continue to teach through your blog. Good reminder… we all need hands-on!!
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Thank you Jan for your kind affirmation. I am sure you were was well. Seems that even though we have left teaching, teaching is still a drive we cannot shake.
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So true!! ❤
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Totally agreed! That’s a cute picture. The only thing I’ve learned from online classes is how to pretend like I’m listening while actually doing something else 😅 Sadly, that’s not just me.
This makes me reminiscent of school.
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You will learn in spite of on line learning. But some will not achieve all they should because of the lack or person to person learning.
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Well written Dwight. I hear your point. For me, the prompt just triggered the current upset and disbelief I am unable to shake.
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Life sure has changed from the early learning days. The affects of Covid are going to be long lasting! Thank you for sharing.
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Great post, I actually agree & personally I always learned better being in the classroom. One of the reasons I didn’t continue teaching was because of the structure. Children learn differently which means I had to get creative but was limited. On the other hand though, my grandson had always been ahead in his studies & attends a college learning academy, but has soared since having to be on line w/ out missing out on the social aspects etc. Playing sports, visiting museums & traveling has taught him concepts he wouldn’t learn in a classroom. Thanks for sharing, this is very important & many parents come to me w/ concerns ( not related to covid).
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Thank you so much for your thoughtful comment. There are a lot of concerns that go way beyond just being out of class. How it affects the children’s mental health is one. The fear we instill when we make them stay home or wear masks has to have an affect on them. Educations seems to be moving more and more toward teaching for a test result! Very sad to me!
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You’re very welcome, just another topic I’m passionate about. Have a great day my friend!
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You too!
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That is what education means. I think that knowledge can be gained virtually, but to educate, interactions are must. And of course nothing can replace a “classroom”.
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Yes, for sure! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts.
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Your methods of teaching were better and more effective.
I love this post! Thank you.
Joanna
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Thank you Joanna! Children learn so much from interacting with each other and being creative together.
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Hey great verse!And yeah, COVID does seem to have hampered some people’s creativity and boosted the same in some.
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Yes, you are right! It does allow for more time to be creative at home!
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Such a necessary message, Dwight
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Thank you Derrick! I believe learning in the younger years should be more relaxed and allow for more interaction along with book learning.
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I’m with you on this, Dwight. First day of school for my daughter tomorrow – first grade, here we come!
❤
David
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Yes! take a deep breath and let her fly!!
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What a wonderful poem!!!
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Thank you for your kind words!
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Ah, the good ol’ days of real learning. I’m betting you were (and still are in many respects) an excellent teacher.
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Thank you Ron! There were some fun learning times along with the day to day stresses!
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I’ve always believed hands-on learning was better retained than other methods of teaching.
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Some of us learn much better that way!
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I started seeing the results of teaching to the test about five years ago (thanks, NCLB) in young college freshman who couldn’t think on their own and lacked confidence in their own ideas and abilities. That took some unteaching to undo . . .
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I am glad you are there still making a difference in their lives. Number scores never tell the whole story.
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You’re right. Number scores tell only a fraction of the story, and they take very, very few of the relevant variables into account.
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Oh my friend Dwight, I can connect. 🤔 That’s why we tried to incorporate a lot of that stuff during our open mic nights, like solving the crossword puzzles, the birdhouse competition, etc. Hands on learning wasn’t just in the classroom when I was growing up, it was a requirement at home as well. That hand and eye coordination worked for me and still does to this day, in spite of technology. 🤳🏽 It makes me actually use my brain! Great post! 🙌🏽 👨🏽🏫 🧐 🖋 🙏🏽
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Thank you Kym! it is so important to involve visual learners in the hands on learning activities! Perhaps there would be less drop outs if we took it seriously. I am glad you liked it.
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So true Dwight and yes I loved your post and agree with you 💯! Keep pounding (in the words of Sam Mills from the Panthers) and continue to teach and encourage as you do! Ciao! 💖 🙏🏽 👨🏼🏫
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Thank You!
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I think the children in your classes were very fortunate, Dwight. I pray for teachers and students today. It’s such a tumultuous time. Blessings on all!
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Thank you Beverly for your kind words. It is a difficult time for all … and especially for teachers and students.
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Hands-on learning and socialization – 2 of the best aspects of a learning environment! Great post & poem, Dwight! 🌞
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Thank you so much! I would like to see this as part of every curriculum!
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Beautiful haibun, Dwight. My children’s school this year has a garden, and I was relieved to hear the students maintain it. So much time indoors and on computers it’s worrisome. I would love to hear more stories about your time as a teacher. I feel joy when teaching and I’m looking forward to a great year with my adult English-language learners.
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Thank you so much! It is wonderful to hear about your daughter’s school having a garden! It is so good to get them out in the dirt! Helps their immune system as well.
If you are interested, I have written some of my teaching memoirs in my book Teacher Tales that is on Amazon Kindle.
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Thank you, yes. I’d love to read that.
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For me, its the way I learn best. Hands on. Your haibun makes me miss what I never had.
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Thank you Mary. I am sad you did not get to experience hands on learning when you were young.
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I think the best thing is for children to be at school… so much is lost when there are no hands and barely two dimensions.
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yes I agree with you!
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Dwight, with your creativity and compassion, I am sure you were an amazing teacher. Your students were lucky to have you! You still are, btw, and we are lucky to have you too. I have seen a few and worked at one high school that had a small garden for culinary students. That should be the norm. Things sure have changed and continue to. Great post! Love the photo. 😊
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What a lovely reflection of your love of teaching and shared memories. Hands on learning is the best and your gifts are plentiful. Cheers to your Haiku and the kids returning to school for as long as it lasts.. Fingers crossed 💖💖❤️🙏🙏🙏
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Thank you so much Cindy… It is untried territory , having kids back in school. We will see what develops.
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You’re so welcome. It sure is but hopeful!💖💖
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“There are things you just can’t learn by virtual learning. “
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That is so true! Thank you for your comment.
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I think with online learning there can still be hands-on, I’m certainly building it into my teaching, but the difficulty is in making sure kids do it. I was listening to my 9 year old’s online classes today, and among other things the class is now doing individual gardening / nature activities and sharing what they’re doing online. What broke my heart was when the teacher asked “are there any questions?” and a kid immediately asked “Is this compulsory?”. 😦
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So glad to your are doing hands on projects with virtual learning. Being in class does not guarantee that teachers will do hands on learning with their students. Keep us the good work and tell them YES!!
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Hands on learning is the only y way to truly understand. You must have been a wonderful teacher.
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Thank you so much Sara. We had some good times.
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Thank you for sharing
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You are welcome!
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