361 - SCHOOL CLASS METHODS THAT WORKED!...(PART II)...

8) GUESTS in AMERICAN government classes....For years, our guests included judges, prosecutors, lawyers, a FBI agent, CIA agent, policepersons, an ABC agent and a State Trooper...all were invited to our classes for the day. We had a respectfulful confab every class, each semester. Both sides could ask questions, face to face. This uique teaching method was a total success for the students and the guests!...and me! Not a single administrator positively reinforced the students' participation and their efforts.
9) Invitations to join another class confab...we tried it once...no more takers...worked!
10) As a Senior Class sponsor.... Our "Signature Wall"...our Prom...designed and created the original "Signature Wall!" at my school. This contribution, I ahve to admit, was this guy's bestest leagacy. Two long halls were originally set aside, agreement with that administrator. This guy KNEW that it would become a success, to hold a 4'x8' flat particle board, painted school color blue, with a title date in gold at top. 1990 was our first year in place, with each year, later, following suit with the blue and gold, BUT different year. A 4'x8' sheet of plastic sealed over top the 'Signature Wall" after every senior for that year had a chance to sign it in a prescribed same-sizle small block.
Educators and students from around the State came to chck it out and to use the idea in their own style back home. And the tradition DID live on going all the way down one side. Remember, we originally had an agreement to have thee "Signature Wall" go down the opposite side of that hall! In the meantime, art cases were added in that hall???? Thru the grapvine, this guy heard a couple of years ago that the entire "Signature Wall" walls would be taken down and stacked away!!!....that was at least 15 walls for posterity. Are our legendary "SIGNATURE WALLS" continuing?
11) EVERY HALL NAMED.... That same 1990 class, officers, created a plan that named every hall with a special name...and sign!
12) As a Junior Class sponsor...our JUNIOR/SENIOR Prom for 1990 was absolutely a remarable success, due to the small group of Junior Officers who worked with it! We designed a huge indoor water fountain on a raised platform, fountain, shooting higher. This guy, for weeks, quietly copied old annual pics and current pics to creat a slide show that was projected high above on a huge W&M Hall pull-down screen to entertain all evening. Two teachers, one in English and one in Auto, couldn't cease thanking all the officers!
13) Our PEP RALLY REVIVAL...Pep Rallies, for years, had been "turned off." One of my Senior Class officer groups decided to tackle that issue, too. And we did plan and executed a NEW Pep Rally for the first time in years!
14) Our "CAN CASTLE"...was created by one of my SCA groups for Thanksgiving. Instead of just collecting cans and boxes of food, we designed a unique "CAN CASTLE." The "Can Castle" was built up in the main Commons so that all students could participate individually, not compete as a class for prizes. Was different and a visual effort to share with the community later, via the local Salvation Army. Have not seen this creative giving program done before or since!
15) The "HOLIDAY TREE".... Yes, we were forbidden to use the word Christmas" in any way, and even words that were connected to "Christmas." My SCA called it a "Holiday Tree." Had to use an artificial tree, too, in the main Commons. And elementary school class volunteered to design and create "Holiday" ornaments. Students could bring "gifts' for under the tree that were given to the Salvation Army later.
15) The SCA OFFICERS for a couple of years, with Scottie as Prez....sometines I think back at the five coeds that year and what they accomplished! Bravo!
16) American gov't..."Original Research!" We had a large list of possible "original' subjects (they come come up with one, too) connected to government. Their task was to first learn methods of researching, then search out info, without knowing where they were headed...could NOT know the outcome first! An example for one involved whether our federal gov't had or had not been "hiding" UFO data? The researcher also was responsible for personal interviews to gain data. They knew that the PROCESS was important, carrying them over to other assignments in their own life and for future education.
17) A "sister" school.... One SCA group of officers had the original plan to choose and form a 'sister school' concept with a school out of the immediate area...another SCA!
18) This educator, in class, DID NOT espouse my personal political views and especially DID expect students to intelligently and with forethought speak out and share their own views and thoughts in front of each class...and with the right to agree or disagree with other's opinions!!....always.

(I do not care, when I turn around, if there is not one person behind me or beside me. If the project is good and right, that's what counts for me? However, it was gratifying to turn around and see many, over the years, standing BESIDE me!)

(It's time, now, that a bit of history was truthfully shared. Thousands of students over the years, thanking them always, knew that all of the creative projects mentioned here were appreciated! These dynamic groups and classes, during the '90s, and part of the next decade, have not been duplicated...not one! Thanks to thousands....)