My classroom is special. We have integrity. All of us. The end goal is not to have highest test scores or to have straightest, quietest line in the hallway. It is to be extraordinary human beings. For the rest of our lives.
This process unfolds in unusual and unexpected ways. This blog is to share those unseen moments of growth and inspiration.
I start the year discussing fear's place in classroom. The students are afraid of failing or looking bad, the teacher is afraid of the very same things. We discuss replacing trust with fear and do some trust falls to really feel the physical experience of building trust. We also discuss how breaking someone's trust can damage a relationship. Trust is more important than good grades, more important than being liked, more important than getting out of trouble. My students routinely 'fess up to many mistakes, readily accepting their punishment. Because they know that lying to me about doing their homework will have far worse, and longer lasting, consequences than simply having to do it during lunchtime. A child who does their homework because they truly know it's important versus one who does it because they're afraid of punishment is a whole different kid. My homework routine in my classroom goes like this:
Students walk in and take out heir homework. We pass out pens to rgade with. I read aloud the answers to the homework. No one sneaks in a pencil to finish their homework. After the grading, students who didn't complete it are accounted for by voluntarily identifying themselves when I ask who doesn't have complete homework. I'm not circling the classroom like a hawk looking for cheaters. There is never any crying or fighting about who has to do Homework Lunch. They know the consequences and prefer to keep my trust.
During the second quarter, it came out that some of the students were still afraid of me (or more afraid of the consequences they would receive for doing things). This upset me. The goal is for students to really internalize doing things because they believe it is the right thing to do and not because someone is punishing them or even bribing them a reward. I had a meeting with two well-respected students in the class to gauge the situation and called a Community Meeting for that afternoon. I told the students that their two classmates were going to lead the meeting and then I stepped out of the room and waited patiently outside of the classroom, door propped open, but out of ear shot. After about 10 minutes of chatter, and shushing, and chatter again, they ettled down. To this day, I still don't know what they talked about. All I know is, about 20 minutes later, a student popped her head out and told me they were ready for me. When I walked in, I had no idea what to expect. I sat down in front of the group and suddenly, out of no where, they all say at once "we're sorry." Sorry for what? I was not expecting an apology. They weren't in trouble. I just wanted them not to be afraid anymore. Since that day, there has been a large shift in our trust. I can't describe how it feels. I just know that they have my back and they know that I will always have theirs.
This process unfolds in unusual and unexpected ways. This blog is to share those unseen moments of growth and inspiration.
I start the year discussing fear's place in classroom. The students are afraid of failing or looking bad, the teacher is afraid of the very same things. We discuss replacing trust with fear and do some trust falls to really feel the physical experience of building trust. We also discuss how breaking someone's trust can damage a relationship. Trust is more important than good grades, more important than being liked, more important than getting out of trouble. My students routinely 'fess up to many mistakes, readily accepting their punishment. Because they know that lying to me about doing their homework will have far worse, and longer lasting, consequences than simply having to do it during lunchtime. A child who does their homework because they truly know it's important versus one who does it because they're afraid of punishment is a whole different kid. My homework routine in my classroom goes like this:
Students walk in and take out heir homework. We pass out pens to rgade with. I read aloud the answers to the homework. No one sneaks in a pencil to finish their homework. After the grading, students who didn't complete it are accounted for by voluntarily identifying themselves when I ask who doesn't have complete homework. I'm not circling the classroom like a hawk looking for cheaters. There is never any crying or fighting about who has to do Homework Lunch. They know the consequences and prefer to keep my trust.
During the second quarter, it came out that some of the students were still afraid of me (or more afraid of the consequences they would receive for doing things). This upset me. The goal is for students to really internalize doing things because they believe it is the right thing to do and not because someone is punishing them or even bribing them a reward. I had a meeting with two well-respected students in the class to gauge the situation and called a Community Meeting for that afternoon. I told the students that their two classmates were going to lead the meeting and then I stepped out of the room and waited patiently outside of the classroom, door propped open, but out of ear shot. After about 10 minutes of chatter, and shushing, and chatter again, they ettled down. To this day, I still don't know what they talked about. All I know is, about 20 minutes later, a student popped her head out and told me they were ready for me. When I walked in, I had no idea what to expect. I sat down in front of the group and suddenly, out of no where, they all say at once "we're sorry." Sorry for what? I was not expecting an apology. They weren't in trouble. I just wanted them not to be afraid anymore. Since that day, there has been a large shift in our trust. I can't describe how it feels. I just know that they have my back and they know that I will always have theirs.
Thanks Becca....I feel that way with my co-workers. When I go over things that are wrong I feel like they think I'm coming down on them, when in reality I'm trying to share knowledge so that things run smoother. I am going to sit down and think about a way to approach a conversation with them so we can clear the fear....and know it's trust and respect we need for each other!
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ReplyDeleteI was inspired by the phrase, I admit my faults because I want to be authentic. I appreciated having someone label the gift of telling in yourself.
ReplyDeleteCydne Watterson