From: =?iso-8859-1?Q?Mathieu_Ren=E9?= <creaturiste-AT-primus.ca>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:16:40 -0500
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Difficult workshops


I really enjoy teaching workshops, and I intend to give a lot more, and more 
often.
Every workshop is different, and everytime teaches me more about people and 
techniques.

The sharing, the "giving back", and the inspiration that floats all around 
make this one of my favorite things to participate in. My professionnal "top 
three favorites" right now is:
-Creating puppets and masks
-Performing puppets and masks
-Teaching workshops.

I only remember one other difficult workshop.
That one time, it was only one student who made it difficult, by his 
complete lack of interest, and the disturbances he caused by playing near 
our worktables  (playing with a basketball) and bringing in some of the 
students on his distractions. He didn't respond to any of my attempts at 
getting him involved, in any way.  It felt like he was dumped in my 
workshop, as a cheap babysitting solution (it was afterschool).  I felt 
sorry for him, but nothing I said or did was able to reach him.
Time is always an issue, and I had the rest of the kids to work with, so I 
wasn't able to take the time with him that might have made a difference.

I think that's when I added, on my list of requirements, that the organizers 
provide the "kid control" or discipline, whenever any is required. I can 
control a group, and I do it within certain limits.
I just don't want to have to step out of my role as a fun and motivating 
instructor. Getting back into it after becoming the strict autority takes a 
lot of energy that I'd rather keep for the rest of the group, who do follow.

Looking back at my past 9 years of workshop teaching, I realize today that 
I've been VERY lucky in who I had as students, with only a few 
troublemakers, and only one small class of indifferents (yesterday).

Thanks for sharing about your workshops!









----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alan Cook" <alangregorycook-AT-msn.com>
To: <puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 6:38 PM
Subject: Re: [Puptcrit] Difficult workshops


> Last year I did two workshops for an annual art day at a Pasadena private 
> girls school---back to back for different groups. So time was condensed to 
> about an hour for each class. The students were beautiully behaved, 
> attentive & creative in making simple shadow puppets. I began each class 
> with a performance of Billy Goats Gruff. Several staff teachers attended 
> the sessions too. So it is great to know that not all of today's students 
> are goof-offs.
>
> Alan Cook
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: John Dudley
> Sent: Sunday, January 25, 2009 4:32 AM
> To: puptcrit-AT-puptcrit.org
> Subject: [Puptcrit] Difficult workshops
>
> I can well appreciate what Alan is saying about workshops in the
> 1960's but regrettably over the years times and attitudes have changed
> considerably. We have Ipods and computer games to occupy our minds.
> Anything that requires a bit of thought is BORING, especially if
> challenged to do anything. Those who have a bit of money in their
> pockets tend to go out and buy what they want or drive their parents
> into the ground! Many youngsters used to have school clubs and
> hobbies. Sport is one that appears to have survived.
>
> I am sure it is the same in America with a lot of the young as it is
> in the UK. It all starts in the home and how much encouragement is
> given.
> On television and in newspapers we see stories of youngsters shooting
> randomly in the streets, gangs of under aged drinkers,
> wandering the streets in the early hours of the morning and when asked
> why they do it, the reply is nothing to do!
>
> I feel sorry for many teachers who have an uphill job.
>
> John
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