Conroy introduces various audiovisual methods into the classroom allowing the children to experience different ways of learning besides out of a textbook.  He realizes that the films he plays on the projector lets the children forget “the prison of the classroom” (p. 100) and they encourage Conroy to “think of education as something alive” (p. 103).  Conroy also teaches the children to appreciate an assortment of music by playing songs on a record player.  For instance, he introduces his students to Beethoven by playing a song that feels like “death knocking at the door,” something all the kids can relate to (p. 52).  Conroy identifies what the children are familiar with, attempting to introduce them to a variety of songs he knows they would understand.  This allows the children to gain confidence in themselves as they learn about composers and different pieces of music.  This also teaches the kids that they can learn anything if they put their minds to it (p. 54).  Another device Conroy brings into the classroom is a tape recorder which helps bring many of the children out of their shell as they share various stories and songs.  For instance, one of his students, Richard, is extremely bashful, but when handed the microphone he “could sing like hell” (p. 114).  Conroy can not believe that kids he “thought nearly illiterate had memorized the words of a fairly complicated song” (p. 113).  All of these audiovisual methods help to show these young kids as creative individuals who are finally given an opportunity to shine.  Conroy loves the use of these machines in the classroom because he knows that these methods will prepare the children for the outside world more than the standard textbooks of the classroom.

Conroy gives the children a taste of the outside world by taking them on assorted field trips off Yamacraw Island.  One outing the kids participate in is going to Conroy’s home in Beaufort for Halloween.  He fulfills a major goal for himself by making the “students...no longer bound to the island” (p. 140) and letting them take the first step into a new world.  Another trip that helps the children gain experience is visiting Washington, <st1:State w:st="on">D.C.</st1:State>  Here the kids enjoy buying assorted trinkets more than they enjoy the various monuments and museums.  Conroy makes a realization that things he once thought were minuscule bring new insights for the children who know only of island life.  These children receive pleasure from road signs, billboards, and lines down the middle of the road.  Conroy also organizes a small trip for a group of his students to attend a summer camp to learn basic swimming, providing the children with skills that they need because the people on Yamacraw Island are always around water, and very often drown because they do not know how to swim.  Conroy is hoping to change the children’s lives by introducing them with experiences that are more relevant to their lives than some miniscule fact out of a classroom textbook.    

Another way Conroy allows the children to experience a variety of learning methods is by bringing several visitors to Yamacraw Island.  He believes that “associations with a multitude of people would be beneficial and instructive to [his] students” (p. 208).  One visitor, Peter Walter, informs Conroy that his methods of teaching are all wrong.  Peter comes to the island and teaches the kids soccer, initiates games, and answers many of their questions.  He has a strong connection to the students without having to put forth any effort to do so.  He is naturally a good teacher and Conroy notices that Peter provides different ideas and experiences than he could have given the children.  Another memorable visitor is Conroy’s younger sister Carol Ann.  She delivers an unforgettable performance of the witches’ scene in Macbeth.  Carol Ann provides the children with wonderful entertainment and introduces them to Shakespeare, something the kids knew little about.  The visitor most remembered upon the island is Richie Matta.  He sings for the children and they really enjoy seeing him perform.  Conroy loves having these visitors come to Yamacraw Island because it allows the children to enjoy learning as they prepare to travel into the outside world.

Conroy’s philosophy of teaching is to prepare his students for the outside world, but to make sure they enjoy the journey.  He helps them learn by introducing audiovisual methods to the class, taking them on field trips, and bringing visitors to the island.  Conroy does admit that he has a “constant shifting in emphasis, approach, and material” (p. 239) because after awhile some activities achieve boredom among his students.  However, by employing the methods mentioned above, he lets the children have an enjoyable experience as they learn.  He knows that he can not expect them to learn everything, so he notes the importance of the “small victories” (p. 156) that the kids accomplish while he is there.  Conroy wants to make sure these children are prepared for their passage off Yamacraw Island, while ensuring that they are enjoying their journey along the way.

*Graphics

Bus, Canoe, and Record Player graphics from ClickArt! CD

Book graphic from the website: www.walmart.com</FONT></FONT></FONT>

Pat Conroy photograph from the website: downhttp://english.unc.edu/news