Preparing to make observations during school visits

Exploring the self to learn about the other | Recapturing a Sense of Wonder | Making the familiar strange

When learning to observe, we have to begin by examining our own experiences and perspectives.  Consider the following quote:

We do not really see through our eyes or hear through our ears, but through our beliefs.  To put our beliefs on hold is to cease to exists as ourselves…

— Lisa Delpit

• What does the quote mean to you?
• What lived experiences come to mind?
• How does this quote relate to your work with young people?

---

Practicing the Art of Awareness

• Look over the following photograph for a few moments;
• Make some mental notes about the details of what you see;
• Notice how you respond emotionally to the photograph;
• Verbally describe what you observed and how you responded to the photograph.

 

---

• What were the differences in what each person noticed about the image?
• Why do you think each of you reacted in this way?
• What from your background, experiences, or values may have influenced what you saw in the photo?

---

 

• Look over the following photograph for a few moments;
• Make some mental notes about the details of what you see;
• Notice how you respond emotionally to the photograph;
• Verbally describe what you observed and how you responded to the photograph.

 

---

 

• What were the differences in what each person noticed about the image?
• Why do you think each of you reacted in this way?
• What from your background, experiences, or values may have influenced what you saw in the photo?

---

 

• Look over the following photograph for a few moments;
• Make some mental notes about the details of what you see;
• Notice how you respond emotionally to the photograph;
• Verbally describe what you observed and how you responded to the photograph.

---

 

• What were the differences in what each person noticed about the image?
• Why do you think each of you reacted in this way?
• What from your background, experiences, or values may have influenced what you saw in the photo?
  

  ---