Okay, this is not the most serious of questions, but did anyone else ever hate the cheesy inspirational posters teachers always hung in their classrooms? Ones like "Together Everyone Achieves More" and "Follow your dreams" and stuff like that. And what do you all think of the politics of putting up a mock-inspirational poster (one in good taste of course)? Would that fly with administration? Would it introduce a positive element into the classroom (i.e. humor) or would it make students feel all negative?
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Motivational Posters
Okay, this is not the most serious of questions, but did anyone else ever hate the cheesy inspirational posters teachers always hung in their classrooms? Ones like "Together Everyone Achieves More" and "Follow your dreams" and stuff like that. And what do you all think of the politics of putting up a mock-inspirational poster (one in good taste of course)? Would that fly with administration? Would it introduce a positive element into the classroom (i.e. humor) or would it make students feel all negative?
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5 comments:
The poster you have there is way better than the kittens and puppies inspirational posters we used to have (*gag*). I know exactly which posters you're talking about (the mock ones), and I personally wouldn't have a problem with it, though I think it would be hit or miss with admin. I think something to look at would be what are you trying to achieve with that poster? Are you just mocking something for the sake of mocking it? That I would hope not to encourage. I mean, if it's a personal pet peave, maybe keep it at home, but if you're wanting to open a discussion with students using the poster (not sure what that discussion would be) then go for it. As it is, teenagers don't really need help making fun of things!
I think that its important to show your students that you are a real person but I agree with Natalie. What is the message of what you are putting up on your walls and are if we are mocking to mock...what behaviour are we modelling for our students. But if it is something that you think is funny and you think means something for your class then why not?
I do have to say that I laughed when I read this post. I was thinking of this one poster that we have at my work place...which is all men aside from me. It sits over the toilet and reads, under a picture of a giant pencil amongst smaller pencils, "It helps to know you have the biggest pencil in the room." Maybe not something you want on your classroom walls ;P!
This subject got me thinking about class room decoration. When you have your own class you will want to decorate it in a way that represents you and your students. what would you do? I like those cheesy motivational posters but I don't think I'd have one up in my room however, I would definately put up things that represent the subject I teach as well as my interests. I believe that putting these kind of things up will show your students who you are and thus will let them get to know you better. This comfort I believe will help kids better learn from you. Plus there's nothing like having a map that shows the placement of British air squadrons in England during WW2 and a Misfits poster hanging on your wall
I really hate these motivational posters! Maybe it's because I am French and these kind of generic and well-meaning declarations are not part of my culture but when I read them, I always think that I am being taken for an idiot. I would prefer hanging more interesting and original posters. One of my favorites is a poster that states the 10 rights of a reader which are:
1. The right not to read.
2. The right to skip pages.
3. The right to not finish.
4. The right to reread.
5. The right to read anything.
6. The right to escapism.
7. The right to read anywhere.
8. The right to browse.
9. The right to read out loud.
10. The right to not defend your tastes.
Ha I love the mock posters! I have one at home, with a beautiful sunrise and birds, with tiny writing underneath "Just give up. You're a loser anyways."
Although it may be tough to defend these posters, I would be very tempted to put up posters I personally enjoy in the classroom, perhaps just to lighten the mood. But there may be ones that are funny / entertaining and not just mocking, so perhaps this is the way to go. I remember one from high school of Garfield with a textbook tied to his head, and text "I'm learning through osmosis." Ones like that are probably a better balance.
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