On Monday Dr. $hiraz wrote a great post about why putting together a chronology isn’t nearly enough to say you’re doing history. That’s something “teach to the test” advocates really need to understand — but this begs the question of how to test historical knowledge, given that genuine historical thought isn’t going to be reflected on a multiple-guess test. You’re left with the short answer or the dread essay, mostly, but I always allowed my students a “creative” option and I know Dr. $hiraz does the same. Most teachers I know agree that the students’ ability to effectively “riff on” (i.e. apply) the material is the best indicator of actual learning. What students don’t know is that many of us scholarly types are doing the same. For instance, our Summer Sacrifice to Aphrodite, presented in SATC/Cosmo format and illustrated, as always, by Dr. $hiraz’s sublime photos. What about y’all out there? Any teachers who have creative projects to share, whether your own or students’?
Is your love life a little drab? Try this fun trick: a ceremony to propitiate Aphrodite!
Unblemished doves, adorned for sacrifice.
For those of you who’ve forgotten your ancient Greek rituals, here’s a quick reminder. Prayers are all well and good, but the gods really want you to show, not tell. This means it’s sacrifice time! Aphrodite, as it happens, prefers doves, and don’t forget to adorn them (and yourself) properly.
Top: BCBG Max Azria. Pants: Michael Kors. Bracelet: Amrita Singh. Sandals: Madden by Steve Madden. Fire: Prometheus for Hermes.
There should also be a prayer of some sort. We suggest Sappho’s hymn — and don’t worry, a translation is fine!
A peep in Sapphic repose.
Don’t forget to pour out a libation, so Aphrodite knows you’re serious!
Our libation of choice.
Read the poem, pour out the libation, then sacrifice the doves to the goddess. If the flames consume your sacrifice, Aphrodite is pleased, and your love life should be heating up in no time!
The sacrifice is consumed by the flames. Score! (In more ways than one...)
Not about this post, but.. I thought you’d be interested in this article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/thaddeus-russell/fired-teaching-american-history_b_767172.html
… but about this post… those photos are fantastic. P.S. Is it working?
Yeah, I saw that — I’m glad someone’s got the cojones to talk about how arbitrary tenure really is. Sadly, the ritual doesn’t seem to have worked; Dr. $hiraz thinks we probably stumbled in our procession or messed up the Greek, both major sacrifice fouls.
This is the greatest, ever!