Page 27 Winter 1996 - 97
Pooling Our Resources by
Robert Peck, IJA education director
I'm
pleased to report that after my second
I'd
like to particularly commend Jeff Miller for his recent efforts to
"pool our resources" in Juggler's World. His recent
article, "Good Advice for
Passing It On to the Next Generation," showed the obvious
sincere joy he derives from teaching young students and should be a
big help to other juggling teachers.
Here
are three things I'd like for us to consider now. First is workshops
- both last year's in Rapid City or those upcoming at our big 50th
in Pittsburgh. This is the time of year when I'm revising,
reformulating and refining the workshops process, and your
ideas can guide that process. I'd especially like feedback on
one-hour vs. two-hour workshop length, the merits of offering the
same workshop at two different times to give participants more
flexibility in scheduling, and the value of multi-session workshops
(such as Dick Franco's tips on routining, Sam Kilbourn's acrobatics
and Stuart Celarier's daily beginning club passing).
Secondly
I'd like to hear about the value of specifically designated
"break-out" sessions. While I know the idea of
"scheduled spontaneity" is pretty paradoxical, I'm not
sure how else to foster a time and clear a space for like-minded
devil-stickers, diabolists or others to congregate and collaborate.
Finally
I'd like to hear ideas for new workshops, creative formats for panel
discussions, brainstorming sessions, scheduling or spatial
innovations, etc. I've taken the workshops about as far as I can on
my own, and if things are going to progress further I need your
ideas and enthusiasm. (And hopefully some moral support!)
As
promised to those who were kind enough to call or write asking me to
follow up on last issue's "Gold
in 'Dem DARE Hills" story, here's the form letter I sent
out out alerting parents about my DARE-sponsored after-school
juggling club. Please feel free to copy, edit or adapt as you see
fit.
Yours
in the spirit of passing it on Rob Peck
Dear
Parents: I'm pleased to announce that I'll be giving weekly
after-school juggling lessons in the gym geared especially for
students in grades 4-6. I'll supply equipment, instruction and lots of
positive reinforcement the true antidote to clutziness! Here are
some reasons why your child should participate: Top
10 REASONS WHY YOUR CHILD SHOULD JOIN THE JUGGLING CLUB 10.
Recreation/Concentration (gives both 9.
Teaches three "T's for Success:" Teamwork, (triumph=
try + 8.
Confidence Building & Character Boosting (self-initiative
+ self-discipline = selfesteem) 7.
It's FUN (and it's FREE!) 6.
Hand-Eye Coordination (key to success in almost all sports, dance and
musical instruments. ) 5.
Readin' (rapid eye movement / "tracking" enhances pupil's
ability to scan printed page) 4.
Writin' (ambidexterity improves fine motor 3.
'Rithmatic (sequencing, calculating solving..) 2.
Peer Coaching, (collaborating & caring - the 1.
Goal Setting (step by step milestones & the 0.
Instructor is incredibly handsome and one Weak
attempts at humor aside, I hope you'll do everything you can to get
your son and/or daughter to give the club a whirl. Last but not least
I'd be thankful (and tickled) if any parents who have the time would
like to attend and or in any other way help make this pilot program
fly!
P.S.
Likewise if any of you are free this Friday at 1 p.m. please feel
welcome to come and watch the "Foolsproof" assembly program
which "kicks off" (and hopefully sparks interest in) the
after school club.
P.S.S.
Please note that both performance and workshops have been sponsored by
Gary Sibilia, Northfield's Police Chief, in conjunction with a D.A.R.E.
grant proposal. |