playing roles aka acting

I really enjoyed the role playing method of teaching. Using a more direct lecture would have been much more boring because only the teacher would be talking and the students wouldn't be as engaged. With role playing, the students are more involved and even if a student decides not to comment - they are more engaged because the students that are speaking or participating are more emotionally invested.

I also feel that role playing allows student to be more confident in themselves because they aren't being themselves, they are playing a character (per say). I also feel that when a student is more emotionally engaged they learn more or retain the knowledge for a longer period of time because they are truly invested in the subject.

On the subject of No Child Left Behind. I feel that it is important that students have basic skills such as reading, writing, math competence etc. but I personally feel that there are other basic skills such as being able to read music or throw a baseball that students should know. And yes I do agree (to some extent) that teachers tend to pay more attention to parents of high achieving students most likely because they are involved in their child's life. I do feel though that most teachers encourage all parents to be involved in their children's schooling - but ultimately, right or wrong, that is the parents' choice.