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Littlefield's Calcululs Class

Created on: 06/24/12 12:36 PM Views: 602 Replies: 5
Littlefield's Calcululs Class
Posted Sunday, June 24, 2012 12:36 PM

One of the best learning experiences I ever had was in the Littlefield's AP calculus class.  I have often told people that I probably would have been a high school dropout if not for the intellectual excitement of learning calculus.  But I also remember the class ambience, the sense of shared interest (and competitiveness) that created a real feeling of intellectual community.  I remember coming in the morning to the cafeteria and going over problems and solutions with Carol and Pat and I am sure others (Larry?) who were in the class.  This experience was my model of what I thought academic life would be like, though I must admit it seldom was.  Do others in that class share that memory?

 

 
RE: Littlefield's Calcululs Class
Posted Sunday, July 1, 2012 01:24 PM

I remember some of us getting a ladder, climbing in through the window of the class, and then opening up some beers.  Mr Littlefield acted like nothing odd was happening at all.  He just waited till we got into our seats, and kept on teaching.  When we finished our beers, we carefully put the empties in paper bags or something, and that was the last of that.  He was definitely my favorite teacher, but of course I loved the subject.

 
RE: Littlefield's Calcululs Class
Posted Monday, July 2, 2012 05:40 PM

I never took Mr. Littlefield's calculus but did take some advance math classes taught by him - and WOW he also taught my father back in the 1930s at NCHS!  How old was that great teacher!

 
RE: Littlefield's Calcululs Class
Posted Friday, July 6, 2012 08:26 PM

I remember how Mr. Littlefield would light up with dilated eyes and an engaged smile when he sensed real work on top of real interest even though for myself I never took advantage as I should have.  You could just see how happy he was to have company in the presence of the subject matter.  I also have a recollection of a hesitant visit to his home one evening after his beloved wife had died and grief had descended over his face in the classroom.  Those on the way to knock on the door retreated on seeing he was watching home movies of her in the living room.  I think perhaps someone perhaps did knock a bit later, but I always remembered the poignant impact of that private moment in light of the fact that his students would be inspired to care so much about him. Thanks Mark for posting this.

 
RE: Littlefield's Calcululs Class
Posted Saturday, August 4, 2012 07:52 PM

Yeah over the years that ladder story has been my absolute FAVORITE.  As I tell it:

 

    Mr Littlefield always wanted everyone to be on time to class, and one day no one showed up at all.  We were all outside with the ladder on the sill and one of us peeking in the window.  I don't remember who that was but when I tell the story it's me.  Mr. Littlefield finally left the room to find out what was happening,  Then while he was out of the room everyone climbed up the ladder and took their seats.  When Mr Littlefield returned to a full classroom, he looked around saw everyonme there, said not a word and just started class. (I did think I saw him smile a little)"

 

I loved that class,  Remember how a test was announced:  "We're writing tomorrow."  

 
RE: Littlefield's Calcululs Class
Posted Sunday, May 5, 2013 09:31 PM

I havde many of the same memories, Mark, of the calculus class (and before that Algebra, Trigonometry) - I think Mr. Littlefield taught Trig and Calc.  It was indeed a very stimulating environment.  And he was acharacter, wasn't he?  :)