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Another inspiring story from USA Today this morning. Nancy Berry teaches first grade in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and she draws on unusual, experiential learning techniques to instill love of learning, good manners, and curiosity in her pupils. She has an entire area of the classroom devoted to milkweed plants, which free roaming catapillars in the room eat. They eventually become free-flying butterflies.
Her classroom sounds like a thrilling discovery. I loved that she places equal weight on science and writing, and I really loved that she says of her teaching approach that she tries to give five minutes of praise each day to each student. She uses imaginary friends to help teach manners and classroom behavior.
USA Today runs a series on All-USA Teachers, and Ms. Berry certainly stands out as an innovative, loving teacher. Children fortunate enough to have this kind of teacher early (and I had many of them) start life with a great advantage: they tend to see the world as a long series of promising discoveries.
What a way to want to engage with the world. Hats off to Nancy Berry and her “berries.”
(Red Sox win Game 2 in a nail-biter, 2-1. Woo hoo.)
Nat, I’m glad you’re back. I missed your posts and was starting to wonder, or even worry about you. I am glad that the Sox are doing well, and can only imagine your glee. I like, particularly, the image of your mother saying (a couple of years ago now?) that the Sox won because she had become a fan. Lisa and Anna and I have watched some of the series. Anna wants the Red Sox, and Lisa and I have resolved to be Rockies fans, because the Rockies are the underdogs. Somehow, I can’t help feeling happier when the Sox prevail. Maybe it’s my inner fair-weather-fandom, and just maybe there is some link there between Sox victories and the overall good and happiness of mankind that’s worth exploring… Have a good time at game four. I’ll be looking for you in the stands.
Ted
Comment by Ted Hampton — October 26, 2007 @ 5:10 pm