Fun Classes, LONG day

I taught for half the class period, and I think it went really well. We started with a discussion of language in humans (sound-meaning connection) and compared it to animal communication (often a physical change). Then I discussed Broca's Area and Wernike's Area (parts of the temporal lobe that control speech production and comprehension). I barely skimmed the surface of the linguistics, psychology, and neurobiology involved. The lab I work in at Harvard researches the evolutionary aspects of animal communication, so I was excited to touch the topic with my kids.

I shared a bunch of awesome YouTube clips as a way to integrate technology. My projector didn't work, but I cannot complain. I had 6 and 4 kids, so my giant laptop screen was sufficient!

Here are links to the clips I used:

McGurk Effect (is speech JUST auditory or visual too?)
http://youtube.com/watch?v=aFPtc8BVdJk

Lyre Bird imitating cameras and chainsaws
http://youtube.com/watch?v=VjE0Kdfos4Y

Bee Waggle Dance
http://youtube.com/watch?v=-7ijI-g4jHg&mode=related&search=


The kids' projects are coming along well - ideally they will be done tomorrow, but that's quite possibly not going to happen. So, we can work tomorrow and turn in everything on Thursday, which is our last day of class. Estimating how long to spend on a project has been a challenge because with three grade levels and a varying levels of enthusiasm, some kids do a lot while others manage to spend a long time doing nothing.

The days are very long because with Celebration coming up on Saturday we have a lot of work to display, skits to rehearse, songs to learn, and all sorts of things. It's 3-4 hours long and includes an expo of all academic work (books written, collages created, posters, student essays all that jazz) as well as a recognition of every department and a 30-45 minute student-written play. It's a big deal, and the kids are psyched, but the Teachers are getting worn out.

"It's not about us. It's about the kids" is the motto continually chanted by our Admin team, but at the same time, we're just not used to this kind of demands on our time. We do it, almost always with a smile, but teaching alone is exhausting, and to add to that 3 hours of staff meeting, painting posters, training and professional development.... sigh. I got home before 6pm tonight, which was thrilling itself!!