Chris Hadfield, a Canadian astronaut commanding the ISS (International Space Station) has provided me with some awesome (not a word I use very often) lesson material over the past few months, ranging from
stunning photographs of our world, to attention grabbing videos of ‘doing things’ in space which my pupils have loved…
Click here to view examples of the videos which have captivated my pupils and lead to endless other questions!
Then, just when I thought I’d seen it all, came this …
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield, with his version of David Bowie's Space Oddity.
Welcome home Chris, you truly are an inspiration and certainly not a Space Oddity.
I’m sure if Michael Gove is listening Chris would run the risk of being accused of ‘dumbing-down’ a serious topic – you may be aware of Gove’s comments about the Mr Men characters being used to present historical details?
I'm all for anything that inspires and makes kids want to learn, and me, to continue teaching...
That is lovely...
ReplyDeletebut I'm going to have to listen to it properly on my computer not the laptop on whiffy...
inspire, urge to learn,learn to grow...
it doesn't matter what the methods are so long as the result is mind expanding...
but aim over a child's head and you've left them behind...
possibly forever!!
How right you are! It is well worth listening to.
DeleteAgree with you 100%! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteThanks for this. More and more it is obvious that Gove's preparation for this important job is that he once went to school. :o)
Pity all teachers don't have same attitude to teaching as you do - I remember having words with a teacher at one of our son's parent's nights' when he said that while our son was attentive most of his classmates were not interested in learning. When I suggested to him that this might be a failure on his part, as wasn't it his job to engage them and make the subject interesting, he wasn't well pleased!
ReplyDeleteSomething similar here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bYv2AKPZOk
I think I can see this from both sides - being a Libran as well as a teacher!
DeleteWhilst it is undeniably the job of a teacher to do everything within their power to enthuse, motivate and impart knowledge and a love of learning, there are some pupils who make it their business to do everything they can to stop this happening. It is then the job of the leadership within the school to monitor learning, and if there are classrooms where learning is compromised, to take steps to correct this. This can happen in a number of ways.
However as a teacher my sympathy lies with those pupils who want to learn. I'm fortunate in that as I've been at my school for nearly 30 years - I've taught the parents of some of my pupils - my reputation goes before me and pupils don't really 'try it on', although I'm not sure that as a system we've got it right when it comes to the relative rights of the learners and the disrupters!
I hope your son survived his experience an you got out of the consultation unscathed! ;o)
I had only heard about this song briefly on Radio Four - but have loved seeing the video. Equally as good as the original in terms of performance but how absolutely mind-blowing that it was performed in space. Really enjoyed finding out more about Chris Hadfield and realising what I've missed in not having a tv!
ReplyDeleteYou are so right in what you say about teaching and engaging children. I find there's a lot of very narrow views in Spanish teaching - there are good and inspiring things going on in some lessons but it's very much the exception not the rule.
Axxx
Hi,
DeleteI did wonder whether Mateo would enjoy the videos and images he sent from the ISS. You can find them on the web by doing a search for Chris Hadfield. x
Hi Gaynor
ReplyDeleteyes we also spotted the great images from space as for the so called Education Minister he should be part of the next space launch and dumped as utter and complete rubbish!
A novel idea. Michael Gove - space junk! Should we be littering space with such junk???? xx
DeleteHe's quite a character! Someone who can engage you within 30 seconds on a news report is something very special!
ReplyDeleteShould be an aspiration of every teacher; to engage within 30 seconds! ;o)
ReplyDeleteI have delighted in telling people about you using his messages from space in your lessons, when this video has been talked about. You are the sort of science teacher I wish I had had ! Jx
ReplyDelete