Matthew Isom
  • Male
  • Salem, OR
  • United States
Share on Facebook
Share on Facebook MySpace
  • Blog Posts (1)
  • Discussions
  • Groups - Find a Special-Interest Group or Start Your Own
  • Photos (1)
  • Photo Albums
  • Videos

Matthew Isom's Colleagues

  • Mary Bucy
 

Matthew Isom's Page

Profile Information

School / Work Affiliation
South Salem High School
Blog
http://matthewisom.edublogs.org
Twitter / Plurk / Other Account
misom.twitter.com
About Me
Teacher
adventurer in life

Life is a high-spirited adventure

Matthew Isom is a teacher and a dabbler, a father, gardener, chef, and world traveller. 

He teaches his children the joys of livinig in much the same way that he tries to teach his South Salem High School sophomore English students

 

The past 21 years, I have taught about half of the subjects covered in most public schools:  French, humanities, English, mythology, creative writing, math, physics--you get the picture.  Maybe this is why I've always been disappointed to see the way that most public schools compartmentalize learning.  Why don't we do things like integrate math, writing, physics, art history, and aesthetic design as students replicate Leonardo da Vinci machines and inventions?  Most likely, this is because our educational model in the United States is based on the 19th Century industrial model of the factory, particularly the assembly line.  Teach one kid the math behind a flying machine; teach the next kid the physics; have someone else give historical background on the project during the timed lunch break (oh, this step would be skipped in most factories since intellectual curiosity isn't a paying commodity).  Sadly, students don't too often find the passion behind what they do, and school subjects seem irrelevant and boring because they are, all too often. 

My first teaching job was at a school called "Realms of Inquiry."  Although the name conjures up images of incense-filled rooms and students sitting on Moroccan pillow cushions, Realms was really a very down-to-earth, marvelously interesting place to teach.  The days of my teaching career were dedicated to a 9-day backpacking trip through southern Utah where we integrated our study of geology, personal narrative essays, and physical education.  The sign on the school reads:  "Realms of Inquiry: A High-spirited Adventure."

I've missed the integrated, hands-on approach to learning for all the interveninig years and hope that through the use of technology,, I might be able to give my students some of the real-world experiences that made Realms of Inquiry such a vibrant learning environment.  Will virtual (not face-to-face) nature of real-time forums, video conferencing, podcasts, and sharing of projects online accomplish this goal?  Close enough, provided that I'm able to take my students on some elaborate field trips.

 

Matthew Isom's Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Comment Wall (2 comments)

You need to be a member of Classroom 2.0 to add comments!

Join Classroom 2.0

At 12:02am on November 2, 2011, Mary Bucy said…
Your "Realms of Inquiry" school sounds fascinating. I'd love to hear more about this.
At 11:15pm on November 1, 2011, Mary Bucy said…
I know -- frustrating. It's been taking a long time for everyone. Glad you're in now.

Matthew Isom's Blog

The old, compartmentalized approach to learning

Posted on November 1, 2011 at 1:21pm 0 Comments

The past 21 years, I have taught about half of the subjects covered in most public schools:  French, humanities, English, mythology, creative writing, math, physics--you get the picture.  Maybe this is why I've always been disappointed to see the way that most public schools compartmentalize learning.  Why don't we do things like integrate math, writing, physics, art history, and aesthetic design as students replicate Leonardo da Vinci machines and inventions?  Most likely, this is because…

Continue
 
 
 

Report

Win at School

Commercial Policy

If you are representing a commercial entity, please see the specific guidelines on your participation.

Badge

Loading…

Follow

Awards:

© 2024   Created by Steve Hargadon.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service