Some days I’d like to be a teacher of long ago (okay, I’d like to believe it’s long ago, but in fact I know there are still teachers who teach this way) who gave the same lesson to all the students each day.  I am always surprised each September (why is it I forget?) how long some preparation can take.  It takes longer for me not because I’m inefficient.  Although I do admit my filing system leaves a lot to be desired, but that I’m willing to blame on not enough time alone in my office to file – have to blame something!   It takes longer because as I get to know my students I rearrange what subjects to cover and in what way.

I work hard to keep Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences in mind as I prepare my daily lesson plans, and that can make presenting some material pretty challenging.  Keep in mind that I teach at the college level.  What’s interesting is that there are many students who have never experienced being asked to learn in their own style, and we spend a few classes adjusting to this.  Students are a bit “weirdid out” (to use what they say although I think that’s misspelled) by my asking them to do something like talk to each other about their thinking about what they just read or I just explained to them.

It’s been a long day of meetings and preparations; it’s late and I’m not done.  Could I just figure out how to give standardized lectures wth standardized quizzes?  Today I’m thinking about teaching to the individual.

“It’s not how smart you are that matters, what really counts is how you are smart.”

~ Howard Gardner

When hubby and I were recently in Savannah, we went on a Foodie Tour – more about that another day, and one of the places we stopped was Perk - coffee roasters!  We ate some fine food samples on this tour; but this was a highlight for me.  I don’t even drink coffee!  But, I did taste the sample that was offered – and what was completely fascinating to me was the tour of the one room roasting production and the explanation by the owner of how it’s done.  (And, by the way, for a non-coffee drinker, the sample was fabulous!  If I had this stuff around the corner, I might actually have to have a cup every day!).  The tour itself rushed the guy a bit, but the 20 minutes was so worth it!  Explore the website,maybe even order some to try – you won’t regret it — and if you are in Savannah, stop by!

By the way, the cake is absolutely delicious.  When I get a link to it or have its recipe, I’ll share  (it’s someone’s gramma’s recipe from the Depression Era I believe.)