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Teacher brings a magical kingdom to life
Weathersfield Elementary School second graders went on a special field trip Friday in order to be knighted at a ceremony/picnic at Conejo Creek Park North. They were knighted at "Intelligence Castle," the place where their teacher, Peter Joel was born. Intelligence Castle is a fictional place, but there is nothing fictional about the extraordinary teacher who thought up this place, along with its plot, theme and characters in order to make learning more exciting and visual for his second grade students. Joel came up with this new approach to education about 12 years ago when he was searching for a fresh way to reach his young and impressionable students. "I hit upon the idea of all of us being knights and travelers to intelligence castle in a sub-conscious way." Joel explained, "When I was a little boy I loved pretending I was a knight fighting dragons." Joel integrates this concept into every aspect of the classroom experience. The class is decorated in a medeival style. Instead of looking at math, science, and language arts as subjects to learn, Joel calls all subjects "dragons" and tells the kids that they will learn to tame dragons. On the first day of school Joel talks to his students in couplets and what he calls "slipsquishes" He asks the kids, "Do you undersit?" The students look confused then hear the story of Joel being born at Intelligence castle where Dr. Slipsquish dropped him on the head. He tells his students that because he was dropped on his head as a baby, he mixes words up and he needs their help. This is just one way the kids can make it to intelligence castle where King Intellis and Queen Intellia rule. Joel explains to his students that when he goes to the castle every Friday, he has to report to the King and Queen and to Quizzard the Wizard on how his students are doing. If he gives them a good report, he gets to ride dragons. Instead of homework or classwork, Joel’s students are given dragon herding adventures which are trails to taming the dragons. When asked if he sees a difference with students he has taught using this approach Joel said, "Yes. I certainly have seen a difference. Because I’m having fun, so do the kids. It is contagious." Joel’s approach to discipline is also based on the dragon theme. He sends kids to Dragon Valley filled with swamps such as the poor observing swamp and goofing off swamp. A parent described a time when a child spoke out of turn, Joel asked her," Do you want to keep talking? The girl said "No." to which Joel replied, "You’re getting wiser." The students and their parents were having fun decorating armor in preparation for their ceremony. Cindy Idell, whose son David is in Joel’s class said, "What I love about Mr. Joel is he knows each child’s individual needs." Idell’s son David is severely autistic and would be in special education if it wasn’t for Joel expertise in this area. Most Special Ed students get pulled out of class for one or all subjects. Idell is able to stay in Joel’s class throughout the school day. Second graders Kelly Hannon and Tobi Behar talked about how much they love their class. "We think it is very nice and cool and very artistic and exciting." Carol Conklin who’s daughter Aubree is in Joel’s class described Joel as an inspiring person. "He is so amazing. He lets the parents help out in class." Just before the ceremony began, the King and Queen pulled up in a limousine and made a grand entrance. Joel and his students along with their parents enjoyed a barbecue after the ceremony. The table was set with a purple tablecloth, glass goblets with the students names painted on them and a lot of gold and glitter. Joel has many years experience working with Special Education kids. He has been teaching for 32 years and was the recipient of the Amgen Teacher Excellence Award in 1998. |
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