Classroom Expectations

I came across this blog post by Karl Fisch regarding classroom expectations. I think it is a nice introduction to a conversation amongst educators about how we might approach the students when we set guidelines for our classes. He elaborates a glass-half-empty vs. glass-half-full argument.

http://thefischbowl.blogspot.com/2010/06/transparent-algebra-course-expectations.html

Monday Ponderance: Farewells

This is my last Monday Ponderance at Calvert. I thought it fitting to discuss farewells. Goodbyes take on many different forms.

Short ones: to parents when you're dropped off at school, friends when they head to their next class, or students as they head home for the day. One might say, "See ya," "Later,""Talk to you soon."

Formal ones: in a letter, to an important person, or to a relative you don't see much. You might say, "Sincerely," "Regards," "Nice to see you again."

Long ones: To parents when you leave for camp, or kids when they leave for camp/college/new towns, to friends before summer break, or fellow 8th graders who are heading to different schools next year. These goodbyes may include tears, hugs, smiles, and well wishes for luck.

But Farewells are different...and difficult. Typically, it means that person will not be coming back, and as such it takes on a significance greater than goodbye. And so, I find myself saying farewell - to you, and my colleagues, and this school.

My time here does not measure up to many of the faculty - only seven years. My service does not measure up to the contributions of a myriad of Calvert people who have been at Calvert. However, I am certain I have had the best job of any person at Calvert - ever.

First of all, I have an opportunity to deal with each and every student on a daily basis. I learn your names within a week, and over the last three years I have been able to speak and find out about every one of you. I've taught and coached many of you in math, history, soccer, orlacrosse. I am lucky to help my colleagues organize fun days, award points, set up Points' Raffles, celebrate student accomplishments, set up outreach opportunities, and generally enjoy each day because something new happens each day.

Second, I am able to work with students on understanding and internalizing the Honor Code. I believe - firmly believe - the Honor Code is exactly that a code to live by. As with everything in life, it isn't always followed and in my position, I need to point students back to the right path. It is not something I enjoy necessarily, but something I know makes all of you better. I only wish I could stay to hear about your high school and college years and see how wonderful you will all turn out.

Farewells tend to have advice, and since this is a Monday Ponderance, I leave you with one piece of advice I think can be applied to every situation.

You are not alone in this life. You have family, friends, teachers, co-workers. Make sure you are taking time to build relationships - invest, care, and reflect. Do not worry about yourself, if you can build others, you will find yourself fulfilled.

Study Hall Revolucion - No Mas

Spring is here! Birds are chirping; squirrels are scurrying; grass is growing; flowers are blooming; and middle school students are eager to get up and get out. There are lots of ways to react to that last indicator of the new season, but sometimes the funniest way is to go way over the top and send your fellow teachers an email like this (all names have been changed to maintain the privacy of militants and dictators):

Colleagues,

I’m looking for a benevolent dictator to lead my study hall today as I head off to a baseball game. In the fall and winter this would just take a teacher, but with the approach of warm weather and the countdown to finals in full swing among 6th grade boys, room 110 has been transformed into a holding pen for violent militants intent on bringing down the “oppressive fascists” running this school (I think they mean us, specifically Joan Smith) and setting up their own system of government. Here is the list of key characters:

Tom Jones as Che Guevera

Larry Pendleton as George Washington

Jimmy Fisher as Robespierre

Doug Harris as Rambo

Please let me know if you are available and willing to crush the revolution today from 230 to 315.

Monday Ponderance: Significance versus Success

"Being significant is more important than being successful."

- Michael Josephson

How true this is. All of the research on brain development, teaching 21st century skills, what high schools and colleges want in their students, what companies are looking for in employees - all of it is pointing to significance.

Significance means of importance or having meaning.
It is important for us to identify significance because significance is what motivates us to do great things - in the classroom and in the workplace.

Siginificance is a hot topic. The point is, significance, or meaning, should be the central goal, not merely success. At Canterbury, we believe the Social Contract is a road map to significance. As students, we want you to use that map to chart your way. Here are three ways to facilitate your journey:

1. Invest: Take advantage of every minute you have in the classroom, with your friends, teachers, parents, grandparents, teammates, siblings, pets. Make sure you are present in the moment and allow those moments to unfold. If you are too eager to get on to the next thing, you may miss the best thing.

2. Care: Once you are in the moment, care about the people who are with you. Make sure they feel respected. The work you put into making someone feel meaningful will come back to you in a number of different ways.

3. Reflect: At some point in your day - when you go to bed, at breakfast, on the bus from a game - take the time to examine how you did that day or the day before. Did you invest and care? Was their a moment where you didn't give maximum effort? Why? Did you take care of every responsibility?

You will probably have had some moments that slipped - we all do. The important thing is that over the longhaul, we are able to answer "yes" to more of these reflection questions than "no." If we can, we are achieving siginificant.

They Can Make Me Smile, Too

As spring fever descends over the middle school and frustration creeps in (shameless plug: one of my latest posts on www.deanskeen.blogspot.com discusses frustration), the students can still make me smile. Case in point: an 8th grader left her laptop unattended and took four days to write a letter requesting it back. Below is the text, which made me smile and I hope will make you as well. (Keep in mind: this student must write 150 words, so you will see some typical strategies at work – repeating, stories, etc.)

Dear Mr. Skeen,

I’m sorry that I left my laptop unattended. I knew that it would be safe in Ms. ________’s classroom for a little while, but I did forget to go back and get it. Thank the teacher (Ms. ______) for rescuing my laptop from that awful burglar who I’m sure would have taken it if it hadn’t been given to you.

Also, the reason I didn’t give you this letter sooner, was that I wanted it to have a vacation. I’m sure you took great care of it. I speak for my laptop when I say, thank you for giving him a vacation. I bet the two of you had a great time (Editor’s note: this is my favorite line). I’m so sorry to take him back to work but I’m sure he will survive. Thank you again for giving him a safe home.

Sincerely,

Student

6th Grade History: Student Taught Lessons

Today in history class we began our student taught lessons on the power and influence of the church in Medieval Europe. The class was divided into five groups which focused on different aspects of the church in daily life. From Pope Gregory VII to the Dictatus Papae to Gregorian chants, each group was charged with researching their topic, producing a lesson, and having some kind of worksheet or opportunity to manipulate the information from their lesson.

One group made a game board for their lesson. The class was focused and engaged on the game and I could hear excited voices discussing the role of the church in Medieval Europe and its significance in shaping daily life...I better watch out or these guys and girls are going to take my job!