What Did I Learn from My Students Today?

by Glen Downey, Comics in Education, www.comicsineducation.com

(c) 2014, Kersti Muzzafar, All rights reserved. Published with the permission of the artist.

...Apparently that they understand something about the elements of farce.

I know that as this series of blog posts on visual brainstorming goes along, you'll eventually become convinced that I've hired a professional artist to create the work I'm sharing with you. This latest example is courtesy of Grade 11 York School student, Kersti Muzzafar, and it appears she's taken to heart the school's motto: "Be yourself. Be great."

I mean, this is pretty great.

It's especially great, though, when you look at it a bit more closely and realize that Kersti has managed to capture the different kinds of characters, themes, and issues that would make an appearance in a farce: the fool, the inflexible character, the older man who lusts after the younger woman, disguise, deceit--it's all there.

This is a short post today and it comes with a simple message: Try as early as possible in the school year to learn these things about your students: what they can do, how they can express themselves, and how they interpret what we ask of them. I didn't expect Kersti to take this home and turn it into what was obviously a labour of love...

But that's what happens when we encourage our students to be themselves.

They end up being  great.