Edited by author 04-25-2006 10:49 AM
My husband and I are exactly like Linda and her sister...I guess they say opposites attract! We are great examples of why Gardiner's Theories are a necessity when creating lessons for a classroom of individuals. Give him verbal directions with landmarks like a big rock, and give me a map with street names. Give him pictures to put together those "easy to assemble" three year old toys, give me step by step written directions with parts labeled.

I was at the United Nations yesterday with some of my sixth grade students for a conference on Youth and Nonviolence. There were a number of speakers and a variety of students from all walks of life in attendance. Because we were there a little early, we were able to speak to some of the presenters, as well as, some of the guests who were there because of the work that they do. As Sarah has mentioned before, the conversation that we are hosting parallels this one in that it takes a community of learners of all kinds to shape our youth. I usually don't promote projects unless I have experienced it myself, but noticing in your conversation that there are some art teachers involved, I thought I would pass on this one website about creating collages or murals that can be traded throughout the world, so that children get a better idea of what it is like somewhere else. I just thought the idea was great because not only does it get the kids who are more "specialized " in the areas of the arts a chance to relay messages that have been left to the writers in the past, but art is one of the universal languages that everyone can understand in some way. Here it is:
www.WherePeaceLives.org
If you use it and find that it is great, let me know...I am going to try it as one of the projects for next year.