Chaos reigned..
…as none of the kids, except the one playing Swami, were happy with their parts. They argued and argued and argued. The most unhappy were H and N. N couldn’t fathom why, when it was her mum giving out the parts, she couldn’t have the lead. H wanted to be the sole narrator. Uff… it was crazy. Finally, after much changing and exchanging, a whole lot of appeasement and a few tears too we had our cast in place. And then the fun began.
They really are an acting, dancing, singing bunch. The bits where they had to raise ‘Quit India’ slogans were the most fun. It still puzzles me why kids revel in so much noise! They sang ‘Sare jahan se achchha’ with gusto and refused to stop after one stanza each time we practised. Despite the tears and the disagreement it turned out to be a fun meeting.
Learnings for next time:
– A chat with H and N on not expecting special treatment (Promises to be a tough one since I still have no clue how to go about it. Suggestions are so welcome!)
– Ask for volunteers for each part and draw chits.
– Since I’m no playwrite I’d hardly done a good job with the dialogues. They need to be shorter and simpler. I could let the kids go extempore with a few guidelines and leave them to improvise.
An observation
What I thought was a personal problem with H and N seems to be a pretty universal phenomenon – most kids lack listening skills. They are too impatient, too excited, too curious about too many things to give their total attention to one thing.
And so this week…
… we started off with a game that would encourage listening as well as creativity – a story spinning game. I started off a story and each child took turns taking it forward. Since we didn’t follow an order and any child could be asked to take up the story, they paid attention. Happily enough, they also questioned the improbable bits and built up the characters pretty well.
Also, the two boys in the club had asked for adventurous stories so the poor Happy Prince was put on hold (yet again) and I picked a Russian folk tale for this week – Ivan Tsarevich and the Grey Wolf with a firebird thrown in for good measure. It was a personal childhood favourite and the kids seemed to like it too.
We also practiced saying ‘Thank You’ in various languages including Russian. That was super fun. For a change I didn’t have to remind the kids to say a ‘thank you’ to me, which I always have to otherwise, but that’s another post.
You must have incredible patience! Keep it up and the rewards will be great.
Thanks Carol. I sure hope so.
Wow! So much of fun and excitement! Agree about listening skills. While we have been taught about reading, writing and body language, somehow, listening never features in our learning as part of communication process. Loved your idea of making them listen. Great going, Tulika! ♥
Shilpa listening would have come automatically, except these days kids have lost practice what with so many solitary entertainment channels available to them.
I hope so Naba. It's early days yet.
How much fun…You know this is not just a book club you are creating memories….Wonderful Tulika…I admire your zest for this
I've never been a part of book clubs, either! Sounds like fun 🙂 I was giggling imagining you with the toddlers!! 🙂
They're hardly toddlers… The youngest one is 7. But it's such fun to have them over.
I have never been a part of book clubs…
Bikram's
Me neither Bikram. But i would have loved to.
Cute! 🙂 I remember when my Mom was my class teacher, she warned me and read me the riot act.
I am imagining you reading this a few years later … wow!
Vidya that doesn't really work with the twins. Still trying to get across the importance of 'being fair'.
Sounds like fun! I'd love to join book clubs too but the problem is that they're assigning books that doesn't interest me so I don't go. 😛
Oh yes.. that's a pain. We should start an online book club, maybe.
I cannot stand book clubs frankly but its fun during chaos 🙂
PhenoMenon
http://phenomenal-cuisines.throodalookingglass.com/2014/09/roasting-a-whole-chicken-using-microwave-convection-oven/
Pheno.. you might not have found the right one – as in with people who like to read what you read. I too used to think of book clubs as a pompous bunch of people who discussed high brow literature. But it needn't be that way. It might be fun too. Drop in on ours one of these days!
interesting point about the attention span… yes, it has been noted that the listening capacity and attention span has diminished quite a bit in general compared to a generation ago. So I don't know if its a specific worry 🙂
I also like that more and more creativity is being encouraged rather than just (literally) going by the books..
Roshan if I stick only with books the kids will certainly lose interest since they're still not readers. Hence I'm trying to keep them hooked.
This was such a fun post to read, especially the image of you tearing your hair out sorting out the squabbles 😉 And yet, you plod on, week after week. You're made of sterner stuff than I am 😉
I like the idea of the drawing chits. What you could also incorporate is the idea of role rotation. Have the boys enact girls' parts and vice versa. You could also tell them that the ones who don't argue will get to pick the roles for the next time, although that may backfire, if they ALL behave 😉 Keep going though. You're doing a great job!
Shailaja… boys acting girls parts???? Gosh you so don't know the boys round here. Heh heh!! it's hoping for too much – that they'll all behave.