When I had a small class of more experienced lacemakers and a couple of beginners, I would very nicely, but firmly, ask the chatterers to allow the beginners what I called "concentration space". I also suggested that, instead of having a cuppa to hand and continuing working, we stop work for 20 minutes at morning tea time and do the chattering then. That seemed to work for a small group.
A larger group - well, the only thing I can think of is to separate the sheep from the goats, as the saying goes. Ask those people who want to do serious and concentrated work, to sit altogether at one end of the room or hall where hopefully, they won't be so distracted. But make it generally known what the purpose of the division is, so that the chatterers and serious workers alike understand which end of the room to choose. Ruth Budge (Sydney, Australia) Clay Blackwell <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > I think that the social > aspect of informal gatherings like ours can be detrimental > to the purpose. Unfortunately, it is not at all uncommon > for the chatter to be distracting and not at all related to > lace. This makes it harder for the teacher AND for the > students, and it makes it nearly impossible for someone who > is working on a difficult piece to concentrate. I find > myself maintaining a separate pillow just for guild > meetings - and it has practice bits on it, which don't > require too much concentration. But I know that some > members of our group have just given up and stay at home to > make lace. > > From time to time we have discussed this at business > meetings, and gentle reminders are given, but it has not had > a lasting effect. Have others found ways to solve this > problem? > > Clay > > > It can be > > disheartening as a teacher, as I feel they are learning > very little, but > > most seem to enjoy the social side, and sign up each term. > > I would be interested to see if other teachers have > noticed this trend. > > > > Christine (Spring-like Oxford) > > - > To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: > unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Find local movie times and trailers on Yahoo! Movies. http://au.movies.yahoo.com - To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace [EMAIL PROTECTED] For help, write to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
