After I left art college I did a post-grad teaching course. When in need of cash I used to do supply teaching [I think it's stand-in teacher in American]. I'm beginning to have second thoughts now - no pension, no insurance - but it's a bit late I suppose.
I have taught most subjects and even did a stint as acting head of girls PE [physical education] in one school. Anyway, I stumbled across the following letter and the surprise at the end of it reminded me of a science lesson I once took.
I was teaching some 11 year olds of the reasonably intelligent sort. I distributed various geometric solids; spheres, pyramids, cubes, etc., each of them made in several materials, polystyrene, wood, metal. The children had to measure and weigh, work out volumes and densities and draw graphs and tables to illustrate their findings. I had a student teacher with me that day, presumably to show her how not to teach.
Summing up at the end of the lesson I asked the class what was the most important thing that they had learnt, [if anything]. The usual long pause, fidgeting and yawning. At last a boy put his hand up and in all innocence said " Is it that size isn't everything, sir?"
No sniggering, no laughter, no hoots of derision - that is apart from me and the student. I have always tried to lead by example.
[During the time Penfold is incarcerated in the Big Blogger house I am hoping to sneak up on him on the great wall of blogs. To this end, if you feel so inclined, please blow up my bomb]
