“Etre et Avoir or To be and to Have” is a French film and it is subtitled in
English. The teacher of this one-teacher, multi-level provinicial
school has been there for about 20 years and is about to retire. What
we see is a snapshot of a year in his classroom.
English. The teacher of this one-teacher, multi-level provinicial
school has been there for about 20 years and is about to retire. What
we see is a snapshot of a year in his classroom.
Knowing all this, the start of the film surprised me and this little van wound its
way through ice-covered streets and the cold, wintry landscape was
displayed. There was almost a slow, creaking start to the van, the
children and the movie as they all climbed in, semi-frozen trying to
rouse themselves for the day ahead. Snapping across to the classroom,
it also doesn't seem ready for them either as all we see is the slow
progression of a couple of turtles making their way across the room.
What it does show, is that this is a vibrant room with various
creatures inside to help with the learning process.
way through ice-covered streets and the cold, wintry landscape was
displayed. There was almost a slow, creaking start to the van, the
children and the movie as they all climbed in, semi-frozen trying to
rouse themselves for the day ahead. Snapping across to the classroom,
it also doesn't seem ready for them either as all we see is the slow
progression of a couple of turtles making their way across the room.
What it does show, is that this is a vibrant room with various
creatures inside to help with the learning process.
The teacher is there to greet them when they get to the door, they all stand behind
their chairs and wait until they are allowed to sit. The classroom is
divided into three learning areas with the youngest, pre-K and up in
one area, the grade 2s and 3s probably and then the 5s and 6s. Most are
in the top and bottom grades of the school and the teacher must divide
his time between them. At one point, he is teaching the younger ones
and the older ones must get on with their book work while he does this.
The younger ones use giant felt markers to write with and I found that
interesting as they would be easy to handle and children with a
propensity to push down hard on their pencil would probably find this
easier. He asks the group to rate each other's work. I thought this was
done in a helpful way and could be an encouraging thing to add in our
own learning experience.
their chairs and wait until they are allowed to sit. The classroom is
divided into three learning areas with the youngest, pre-K and up in
one area, the grade 2s and 3s probably and then the 5s and 6s. Most are
in the top and bottom grades of the school and the teacher must divide
his time between them. At one point, he is teaching the younger ones
and the older ones must get on with their book work while he does this.
The younger ones use giant felt markers to write with and I found that
interesting as they would be easy to handle and children with a
propensity to push down hard on their pencil would probably find this
easier. He asks the group to rate each other's work. I thought this was
done in a helpful way and could be an encouraging thing to add in our
own learning experience.
At another point in time, we are shown the older group having a dictation lesson. I found this fascinating because the teacher watched as they were writing and even picked up
that one of them had used an incorrect ending. (The benefit of an
inflected language!) Right there and then he talked about the tense and
what ending would be needed. It was a good example. albeit brief or
doing these things as they come up. Later on in the documentary, the
teacher spoke about how he has done dictation for over 30 years – he
obviously has found it beneficial! I believe they corrected the work
straight after they had done it. I have vague memories of doing this in
primary school under the one “old fashioned” teacher I had and think
something of that dying art does need to be revived today. I'm
certainly glad that CM's writings have shown some of the benefits of
doing dictation as it has helped me to see its value for my own
children.
that one of them had used an incorrect ending. (The benefit of an
inflected language!) Right there and then he talked about the tense and
what ending would be needed. It was a good example. albeit brief or
doing these things as they come up. Later on in the documentary, the
teacher spoke about how he has done dictation for over 30 years – he
obviously has found it beneficial! I believe they corrected the work
straight after they had done it. I have vague memories of doing this in
primary school under the one “old fashioned” teacher I had and think
something of that dying art does need to be revived today. I'm
certainly glad that CM's writings have shown some of the benefits of
doing dictation as it has helped me to see its value for my own
children.
Sorry for the digression…
While the older children are doing their Maths and the teacher is with them, the camera
cuts across to the younger ones. We see them doing some colouring (and
some not so focused on it) but we also get to hear the teacher in the
background. The little ones are hearing that Maths lesson, the teacher
talking about fractions and multiplying even though it's not where the
littles ones are up to. This sort of example did remind me of our home
situation and how much the younger ones imbibe from just being around.
I'm sure they benefit from having older siblings go before them.
cuts across to the younger ones. We see them doing some colouring (and
some not so focused on it) but we also get to hear the teacher in the
background. The little ones are hearing that Maths lesson, the teacher
talking about fractions and multiplying even though it's not where the
littles ones are up to. This sort of example did remind me of our home
situation and how much the younger ones imbibe from just being around.
I'm sure they benefit from having older siblings go before them.
There's also a hilarious scene over the Maths homework of one boy – everyone in
the house ends up coming over and trying to chip in what the answer may
be. This boy may have had problems with Maths and even been a bit on
the bullying side but they also have this shot of him (he's probably
about 11 or 12) backing this tractor up on their farm. He seemed so
capable and sure of himself in that context. It was lovely to see the
film trying to capture more facets of these children and where they
were at.
the house ends up coming over and trying to chip in what the answer may
be. This boy may have had problems with Maths and even been a bit on
the bullying side but they also have this shot of him (he's probably
about 11 or 12) backing this tractor up on their farm. He seemed so
capable and sure of himself in that context. It was lovely to see the
film trying to capture more facets of these children and where they
were at.
Even though I thought this teacher seemed to be very
passionate about his job, caring, controlled and measured in his voice
and obviously able to have a great rapport with his students, I did
come away with a touch of sadness. A couple of times in speaking with
the older students, he seemed to almost expect them to be distanced
from their parents as a natural, almost teenage thing to do. He gave
his advice and I'm not sure I would agree with some of it. The extra
glimpses you got of these children really showed me how much their
parents and families were a part of their lives. I guess that's the
bias of the homeschooling parent – seeing and dealing with the whole
child.
passionate about his job, caring, controlled and measured in his voice
and obviously able to have a great rapport with his students, I did
come away with a touch of sadness. A couple of times in speaking with
the older students, he seemed to almost expect them to be distanced
from their parents as a natural, almost teenage thing to do. He gave
his advice and I'm not sure I would agree with some of it. The extra
glimpses you got of these children really showed me how much their
parents and families were a part of their lives. I guess that's the
bias of the homeschooling parent – seeing and dealing with the whole
child.
On the whole, I thought it was really well done,
thought provoking and had an endearing quality to it. Even the
beautiful lulls to capture the passing of time and the coming of each
season lent it an added charm.
thought provoking and had an endearing quality to it. Even the
beautiful lulls to capture the passing of time and the coming of each
season lent it an added charm.
See if your library has it or ask them to order it in!!
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