See and hear : the journal on audio-visual learning (1945)

Making Friends in Our Town: Detroit by Ruth Barns Hiiiil. Ucpt. of linglish, Cooley High Sriiool, Detroit OUR IIB GROUP* had just hiiislucl rcailing the sliori slot). "Clocihoppcr"** by Siirali Addiii^ton, in wliith a (oimiiy l)oy Iiad ilitfu'iilu makiii" friends because ol his aivkuaidness. Now I wanted the |)upils to see a siniihu situation and pcrha[)s discover sug"cstions as to liow sliyness and awkwardness could be overcome. I chose ilic fihii Shy Guy*** and alter carelidh pre\iewing it nnself. showed the film to the group. The film look , ab(jui 13 minutes, so we had time ini I mediteh after to open u|) discussion on the general topic of making friends in a big city. Tlie group was nuicli interested iand was greath stimulated 1)\ the film. I asked the boys and girls il lhe\ woidd like to de\ote the entire (lass period the next day to a jurvpanel discussion of the various phases of this subject bearing upon their own experiences. They responded with enthusiasm. They selected a leader and some volunteered to be on the panel, while the class suggested a few in addition who had not particijjated recenth in this t\pe of acti\ity. The next da\ the chairman opened by saying that he need noi introduce •the 1115 KKiiip is iiuulc up lit \ouiij; iiitn and women of "fair" learning al)ilit\. ••".Vmeiiia Speaking." Scott. Foresman >l: Co. •••.V/iv Ouv. 13 rniiuiio. C:<n<iiiet Instructional Films. Cdiniui liiiildiiij;, Chicago 1. Illinois. ilic HKiiibiis (il I 111' pant I \viii> were known lo oiu enlire class .nul lluii iinited discussion upon ihc man) ])i<)i)lems of making friends in a big (it\. The points made b) the |)anel an. iiuiiguing and stemmed naturalIn Irom the ii\iew t)l interesting poiiUs made in the film. 1. .\n Italian bo) who tame lo this coinitr\ filteen months ago showed how— with no initial kn()\\ledge ol English— he made friends in his neighboihood and at school ihiougli ]jartici|jation in sports. Ky being friendly he found the other boys responsi\c' and eager to helj) him. 2. .\ bo\ who \vorks in a combined garage-gas station told of his need to make friends with a loiigh group of older fellows who would ai first throw greasy rags in liis face, hurl insults, and otherwise ainio) him. He showed how by quietly but firmly antl gotjd naturedly standing his ground, he won their respet t and was able to keep the job which he badh needed. 3. A girl who receirtly came from a small town in Ohio told how she was making friends through seeing the same boys and girls at home and at (liurch. I. .\nother girl thought tjur school would be a friendlier place if certain teachers would adopt a friendlier manner and lake more interest in newcomers to the class. It was a most lively discussion! Finally, the chairman stimmari/ed by saying that apparenth the world goes mil lo mccl liiciulh aiKaiicCS li.ill \\,i\. Inn cull one ol us must do his pail. The boys and giils llien summari/ed their ixperiences as belonging 1(1 one ol ihese three phases: I. How (an I make my school a Iriendlici phue? L'. What experience ha\e I h.id of .uiiialh bringing about impro\ed belia\ioi as \vell as truer friendliness in a group? ,"). How have 1 sohed a problem of making friends in a new situation? 1 1 soon became apparent that we \v()e dealing with one of the most important subjecis of living— a sidiic( I wlii(li is ol major concern lo all of irs. Whether we be pupils ol high, lo\v, or axerage ability, we all must Itain lo li\e happily and pleasantly one with another in our school, in our home neighborhood and in mii comminiity relationships. Further discussion— and please remember that this is a group of less than usual abilit)— brought us to the place where we thought we xvould like to do a little philosophical thinking. The pupils brought in the followiirg paragraphs which are examples of class work in this 111) \nw ability group. "In our big school we can make a Iriendlici atmosphere for new boys and girls if we (jffcr to help them in little wa)s; 'Where is your next class? Oh, I'm going there too. and I'll show you the wa\.' We cair also gi\e (coNTiNiiKD ON PAc.r: thirty-three) Above: Typical frames from Coronet's Shy Guy , the film on which the study unit described in this article was based. FEBRUARY • 1949 13