SHALL WE DANCE?

1. SHALL WE DANCE?

2. Metaphors and Teaching Ron Marken, University of Saskatchewan

3. A Definition METAPHOR (from the Greek meta pherein – to carry across) "the figure of speech in which a name or descriptive term is transferred to some object different from, but analogous to, that to which it is properly applicable." (Oxford English Dictionary)

4. Do you feel wiser now? Probably not “Is that going to be on the final?” I hope not

5. Alternative Definition – with two metaphors – from ground level “From the bristly sow's ear of everyday thought and feeling, metaphor makes a silk purse of language to carry across meanings to our fellow human beings.”

6. Speaking of the ground . . . A first-year Phys. Ed. Student: "If you think ordinary guys like me even talk about metaphor when we're not in your class, well, you're outta your tree!"

7. A metaphordevoutly to be wished . . . O that this too too solid flesh would melt, Thaw and resolve itself into a dew.

8. Metaphors delve more deeply than the literal or merely comparitive. . . O, my Luve is LIKE a red, red rose. • huge red head • spindly, green, thorny body • delicate, fragile • fragrant • complex, beautiful • timelessly symbolic

9. . . . and truer.Are you what you drive? • MACK • PROWLER • LAND ROVER • BLAZER • CAVALIER • EXPLORER • JAGUAR • PROBE • CIVIC

10. . . . much truer. . . “She may be adopted, but Susan IS my daughter, even though she did not come from my body."

11. Banks: Awash in metaphors! • Solvent • Cash Flow • Liquid Assets • Frozen Assets • Funds Dried Up • Bank Draughts • Reservoirs • Slush funds • Current Accounts • Floating Loans • Money in Circulation • Bank Branches

12. Computer metaphors (Apples, Gates, Windows) are all over the place • Floppy • Menu • RAM • Mouse • Bit • Nibble • Clone • Spawn • Spreadsheet • Port • Boot 

13. Teaching Loads Time-Releases Burnout. We “cast imaginary pearls before real swine." Are we “highly qualified professional educationists”? We’re nothing but . . . Beastsof burden Prisonersof our profession Cultleaders Warriorsin trenches Prisonwardens Seekers ofpopularity DO YOU SEE A THEME? We have:

14. Seek something more positive Meaningful metaphors make much more mileage! – even if alliteration is occasionally sickening

15. Teachers take PRIDE in their work . . . often labouring under adverse conditions:

16. ARTISANS Distillers Carpenters Window Washers Kindlers Mechanics

17. Psssst . . .! Sex Seducers

18. REGULATORS Judges Mediators Advocates SPORTS PEOPLE Coaches Champions Trainers Cheerleaders Backpackers

19. GARDENERS Planters Nurturers Fertilizers (!) Weeders Hunters of truffles

20. PARENTS Surrogates Nurturers Fosterers REAGENTS Catalysts

21. MODELS Super models? Life models? Working models? Display models only? Or are you just aminiature?

22. ARTISTS Conductors Actors Jazz Musicians Clowns Choreographers Sculptors Entertainers

23. Teachers Can Promote ‘Self-Authorship’ (after Ignelzi 2000) • Visit and value the student’s own farm (“build on existing knowledge”) • Accompany the student on trips to other farms (“incrementally-structured supervised practice”) • Encourage students to travel together (“reality is developmentally co-constructed”) • Celebrate the new farms and reminisce about leaving the old one (“build strong bridges”).

24. You are what you say you are. Your metaphors make your mind and shape your thoughts. • Is your teaching a “load” or an “opportunity”? • Are you “battling in the trenches” or are you a symphony conductor?