Video Teachers You Might Like to Meet

By Charlotte Ostermann

 

        I have seen teachers on video tape that bored me to tears.  Talking heads and folks who read you the printed guidebook; teachers whose chalkboard-on-film can't be read by the viewer and those who give too little information about the project they are showing you for you to follow it at home have soured me on video instruction.  BUT the exceptions are exceptional!  A good teacher is a wonderful thing and there are a few videos I highly recommend.

        Art Lessons for Children with Donna Hugh - 4 volumes are available at our public library - children's section (I've begged them to order #5 and #6) - each has 3-5 art projects.  Donna very calmly and confidently leads the way into explorations of colored markers, oil pastels, and watercolors via projects which are structured enough to give success and open enough to allow for individual creativity.  I thank her for introducing us to the term 'happy accident'.  She may seem old-fashioned to you if you are used to the type of kids' educational video that makes use of a frenzy of computer special effects, loud music, and a constantly shifting visual field.  I have a wall full of our versions of her projects and if the library doesn't purchase her next two videos, I just may ($29.95 each)!  You can see more about them at www.coyotecreek.com.

        Kids' Guitar, with Marcy Marxer - 2 Volumes, available from Homespun Tapes 1-800-33-TAPES.  Marcy starts at 'name the parts of the guitar' and gets right to chords and strum patterns for songs she sings and plays with you over and over as many times as you want.  (Of course, you'll be dreaming Polly Wolly Doodle before long, but it's a small price to pay!)  There is something very warm and friendly, safe and encouraging about Marcy that I know I could not provide myself or my kids at a better price.  ($39.95)  Whoever gets this should call me and we'll get together for a sing-and-strum-along!  Homespun has teaching CD's, tapes and videos for everything from accordion to pennywhistle.  See their website at www.homespuntapes.com.

        Destinos - another winner from the public library - an immersion type Introduction to Spanish series in which Spanish is spoken in the context of an on-going story.  The introduction to the series explains exactly how it works, what to look for, how to learn from it (all in English!) and each taped lesson reviews and recaps concepts and words learned.  You learn to relax and trust that the designers will get the points they want to make through to you even if you don't follow every word said in the video.  The library also has the French in Action series which is similar in approach, but with a completely different story line and even more guidance for the viewer.  The only drawback is that I'm apparently not the only one who has discovered these and it can be hard waiting for the next one to become available.  On the other hand, we are not tempted to do a forced march through the whole series and enjoy the opportunity to watch one of these videos whenever it's our turn.  I consider these supplemental to a language learning program, or plenty for those who want a first fun exposure to these languages.  The stories will interest and be understandable to kids 10+ as they are geared to adults. 

        Muzzy - Muzzy is not actually a teacher, but a space alien who eats clocks and parking meters.  I include him here because he was designed to teach kids foreign languages in a kid's cartoon version of the immersion system.  Muzzy materials are available from Early Advantage, 1-888-248-0480; www.early-advantage.com for a number of different languages.  A package includes an English version of the entire Muzzy story, the target language videos, another video with lessons hosted by the cast of characters we meet in the story, and a computer CD with Muzzy games.  Workbooks are available separately, but I imagine the kids will watch more devotedly if you don't explain that it's part of their schoolwork!

        Institute for Excellence in Writing - 1-800-856-5815, www.writing-edu.com, or available from Veritas Press: 1-800-922-5082

I am thoroughly enjoying these teacher training videos and could do without the workshops for kids on video if necessary as all the how-to is on the teacher set.  I think it's an extra treat to have Mr. Pudewa available for my students.  There is something to be said for someone-who-is-not-mom doing the teaching now and then.  The IEW approach is to integrate writing into whatever else you are studying; to give kids a very structured approach to both non-fiction and creative writing until they develop in ability and internalize the sense of structure; and to provide content rather than expect it to well up from within the child spontaneously.  Starting at the second grade level and progressing to the researched report, literary criticism and advanced essay of the high school level, IEW has lots of experience developing excellence in both writing and thinking. The program has the tangential benefit of helping with public speaking skills.  The initial investment is somewhat steep ($130), but that is the full training for all levels and is a fraction of what they'd charge you for the live, week-long workshops they do!

 

        I think you can read between the lines that I am learning as much, or more, from these video teachers as my kids!  This is, for us, a major benefit as they learn best what they see me excited about learning.  Best of all, you won't have time for TV shows if the video lessons preempt them!