Blog Post #4

As I read the assigned pages for the book I was surprised on what they were about--briefly mentioning how students should listen and the rest is just about how to be an entertaining speaker and lead discussions effectively. While a book can give great advice, I feel that most of this is best learned with video or partaking in it--in front of peers or students. While no one wants to fail, I feel like practicing will be the best option.

It is funny how different ages can be presented some material in the same way and others differently. For example, at my summer camp, we always do the same stuff for kayaking/funyaking introductions. You tell them all the parts of the paddle and boat and then point and they shout it at you---it works for all ages and by the time they're tenured campers its very easy and they know what to expect. I literally did this with six year olds and seventeen year olds this summer and it's pretty effective.

However, even in my interactions between the juniors and seniors there were significant differences at presentation of information. I knew some lessons would just not work with juniors the way I did them with seniors. For example, one of them was "what is camp about?". By the time they get to seniors it is easier to reach deep down and figure out that answer as a more heartfelt one, but the juniors weren't there. While I did it as more of a group lesson with them compared to a teacher v. student with the seniors. I had to instruct a lot more with the juniors and the seniors I could encourage them to talk and get more in depth with everything.

Ultimately, experience and practice is the most effective manner of learning how to lead a classroom full of whatever kind of people you want to teach; while you can study pitch all you want, it is most important to actively do stuff and learn what works for you.