Try to Stay in a Group

In my Curriculum Development class tonight I learned that Aristotle and Plato and Socrates taught their students by walking along while lecturing and the students followed along behind them. In the midst of learning about this I couldn't help but break into a giggle. I imagine that if I were to walk along lecturing about how to find the area of parallelograms to my happy 7th graders that a couple things might happen: Some kids would wander off in groups and get distracted by things like icicles or mud puddles or any kind of wild critter. One boy would push another boy and eventually all the boys except for the obnoxiously gifted boy would be entwined together in punching wrestling arms and legs. Or, the students (especially if the boys were not intent on strangling each other just because it's cool) would be running around wildly. I think the theme music to a 7th grade math class taught this way would have to either be The Flight of the Bumblebees or perhaps the 1812 Overture.

Because I am truly a dork, I would probably have a hard time learning this way as I would either trip and need yet another knee surgery, or I'd be completely stressed out that my notes are incomplete. Yet another reason why incorporating technology in the classroom is a good idea. There could be no strolling with laptops...

And why is it so hard for little boys to keep their hands to themselves? I suppose I should be grateful they aren't seething masses of hormones yet and they're only touching other boys and not the little girls.