TIPS FOR USE
TWO BOYS, ONE CHAIR - Preservice Education
I always used this video in my Foundations of Education class. It provides a powerful example of scaffolding young students to successfully solve a conflict. Using skillful questioning and ideas from other students, the teacher allows two students to solve their problem. Later, she has them reflect on what happened and share with other students during a class meeting.
This gem shows that capturing opportunities for the children to problem solve and allowing time for them to do it is more effective than an adult always deciding. Asking questions breeds children’s thinking and problem solving, in accord with theories of John Dewey.
In advance of this film, the student teachers have read several articles by Dewey and undergone an experiential activity that demonstrates the value of generating questions in the process of their own problem solving. Thus, the student teachers not only read about and discuss Dewey’s ideas, but also they personally experience them and view a video showing a potent classroom example.
Comment from Karen Benson, faculty member in the multiple subjects teacher education program at California State University, Sacramento
I also used this video in my Pedagogy class to illustrate conflict resolution, sharing and trust. This video is the companion video to “Class Caterpillar” wherein Kindergarten students are involved in a collaborative art project. During the making of a class caterpillar, two boys choose to occupy the same chair, each refusing to move. This video effectively shows that by getting the students to talk with each other, and by taking a suggestion from another student, the teacher enables the boys to solve their issue in a way that leads to greater cooperation. Instead of the teacher stepping in to solve the problem, she trusts and allows the boys to try to work it out themselves. The two boys go beyond solving the problem of one chair, and share the making of their segment of the caterpillar together as well.
Comment from Joy Pelton, faculty member in the multiple subjects teacher credential program at the California State University, Sacrament
Collegial study and in-service education
I have used this video several times both for inschool staff development and continuing education classes. Each time this video is shown teachers invariably discuss how tempting it would be to solve the problem for the two boys. However, the video clearly demonstrates that when teachers take time to let students solve their own problems they learn the valuable friendship skills they will need for the rest of their lives. This video shows a teacher balancing her need for completing a project with students’ needs for autonomy and competence in solving their own problems.
Comment from Marie-Claire Wonacott, teacher, Lot Whitcomb Elementary School, Milwaukie, Oregon
AMBITIONS - Preservice Education
Preservice Education
This video provides a wonderful example of how teachers can encourage and support students in the face of mistakes or failure. It shows how a teacher can help students overcome frustration, keep their behavior organized and persevere at the assigned task, all qualities that are needed to succeed in a competitive world. This video can be used as a companion to the chapter “Competition in the Classroom” in Learning to Trust, pp. 199-202. The video shows how one can help students develop the emotional control to overcome failure without the use of competition.
Comment from Joy Pelton, faculty member in the multiple subjects teacher credential program at the California State University, Sacramento.
Collegial study and in-service education
I use this video to help teachers understand the basics of developmental discipline. It demonstrates the power of a trusting student/teacher relationship. Students and is a wonderful example of a teacher taking the time to help students persevere and learn from their mistakes. Laura does such a beautiful job keeping the focus on the assignment and using her knowledge of her student to help meet his need for competence in this assignment. Comment from Marie-Claire Wonacott, teacher, Lot Whitcomb Elementary School, Milwaukie, Oregon.
Comment from Joy Pelton, faculty member in the multiple subjects teacher credential program at the California State University, Sacramento.