Typical formation for adolescent youth while engaged in transitory educational activities, the line is a hallmark of disciplined structure. This structure is crucial to the successful achievement of meaningful learning. By cultivating beautiful, straight lines in the hallowed hallways of educational institutions, students bring order to the waves of the brain. When these waves are in line, harmonious co-existence takes place. When this alignment is absent, all hell breaks loose.
Deconstructing the Breakdown of the Line
When linear structure breaks down, there are both obvious and subtle repercussions. Tracing the disintegration to its roots leads to the directive given to students to walk on the "third square". Studies show that for reasons yet to be discovered by researchers adolescent brains have not fully developed the ability to grasp the number "3" when in linear context. Surprisingly, field research shows that when auditory cues are given to student subjects, the tertiary verbal reference translates roughly into "please feel free to walk in clumps at least three wide down the hall."
Yet another challenge facing the linear form in middle school settings is the most confusing directive, "go to the end of the line". When interpreting this seemingly simple command, the brain of the 10-13 year old human registers a myriad of options.
1. Do nothing.
2. Begin with whine tactic: "but miss, I didn't do nothing!" (yes, I believe we just established that fact)
3. If #2 fails, begin to roll eyes, flail limbs with varying degrees of agitation (the display must be appropriate for the dramatic nature of the confrontation and the number of witnesses present). Only if absolutely necessary begin to make way toward the posterior of the linear form.
Actually, this is where the real options start to kick in. If new students are continually joining the line, does the line in fact possess an end? Is the end of the line a static and absolute reality or is it ever in flux? Or, is it simply the place where there's a gap to slip in next to your new best friend?
Fascinating as the research may prove to be, the point is well made by this small representative sample that a solution must be swift and strong. Fortunately, Webster's again provides guidance. By looking at the definition in context of the sport of football, a bigger, more complete picture of "line" begins to come into view. It is not the innate challenges of the linear form that is the problem. As football players know so well, both the offensive and defensive lines must be managed to perfection by stunning specimens of athletic prowess known simply as: linebackers.
And now the solution comes clear. Imagine if you will in a school setting what has proven to work with great success in corporate America...
School will never be the same.
1 comment:
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