Fall Break, Life Skills, and What's Important

 

Twenty-one years into teaching, and I have to say making it to this fall break feels about as needed and gratifying as any other. Every year is very different from another; each class of students has its own unique identity. Sometimes the beginning stretch of the school year - traditionally from Labor Day weekend until mid-October - seems to fly by; other times the same stretch can be a slog. 

This year, it's just been...different. 

We started a week before Labor Day weekend, so we've just wrapped up our eighth week. To be honest, those eight weeks have flown by. But the phenomenon within this is that while the weeks have been fast, many of the days have been slow - a grind. 

It could be easy to point at one particular thing or variable and say "Yup, that's it!" ... however, that just isn't the case this year. Students, work load, expectations, unique challenges...there isn't one thing out of that group that jumps out. This year just seems to have a lot of everything.

There has just been so much --> needs of students, meetings, feeling the push to play catch-up from the last couple of years, and back-filling/supporting so many typical 'non-academic' skills. Everyone - students, teachers, paras, administration, custodians, etc. - was very ready for a break this week! It'll be good for everyone to rest up and recharge. 

Now, about those 'non-academic' skills I mentioned earlier...

Non-academic skills, soft skills, life skills...call them what you want. What cannot be ignored or underplayed is just how important these are, and how so many students are behind or lacking in having & utilizing these skills. Because of this, I have found myself doing a lot more teaching, mentoring, encouraging, and modeling the following skills:

-live in the NOW...not dwelling on the past or something that already happened that you can't change; not worrying about what's in the future or what might happen. Believing in the Power of NOW and taking action and living in the moment. 

-showing up and doing the work EVERY DAY... this is hard for students, and also really hard to model (especially when you're tired, frustrated), but it's so crucial for young people to experience what it means to grind and get even 1% better each day, and to learn that every day and every class is an opportunity to get better, learn, and grow.

-listen to others and keep yourself open to new & different viewpoints...it's not required to have to agree or be best friends with everyone, but we're much better as a group, class, culture, etc. when we show that we can listen to and respect others. 

-collaborate and work with others...we're all so connected now, and will only continue to be more so moving forward; kids have been online their entire lives but need to learn the value of truly connecting with others and how to share ideas, compromise, and work toward a common goal together. 

-pragmatic problem solving...learning to analyze a situation, weigh pros and cons, think rationally about next steps to take...whether as an individual, as a group, for an academic problem or a personal problem - these are all skills students need. 

-time management...learning how to plan ahead, budget time, and prioritize is so important and is something many adults may still struggle with...school can be such a great time with many chances for students to hone this skill and set themselves up for success in the future. 

-reflection...this world is so fast-paced and filled with so much distraction, students don't take the time to look back on an experience - good or bad - and reflect on what happened, what worked and what didn't, and what could be changed/done differently in the future. 

Thanks for reading and pondering! Hadn't written in a while and there's been plenty going on. 

Media: giphy.com, peacock

Self-Advocacy

For this week's focus, think about the importance and value of Self-Advocacy. Any adult reading this knows first-hand how vital these types of skills are in life. For most of us, we can point to impactful moments where we benefited greatly from being our own best advocate, while there are undoubtedly other times we might regret inaction or lost opportunities.To any student who is looking over this...I would encourage you to reflect on your own experiences - both inside school and out - and reflect on times when you might have benefited from utilizing strategies around Self-Advocacy.

So, with that in mind here are some great Self-Advocacy Strategies for students to use:

1. Ask Questions

-this is the most obvious but sometimes the most difficult. fear, anxiety, shyness, and other barriers can keep us from asking the questions we need answers to. 

-students: if you're nervous about asking questions aloud or in front of the large class, consider:

• sending your teacher an email (more on that below)
• asking via your school's LMS (learning management system)...most of these have messaging capabilities
• ask your teacher at the start/end of class, during those looser passing time periods
• stop by before school starts (even 5 minutes prior) or on your way out if possible

2. Learn How to Craft an Email

-this is important! there are basic elements you need to include in order to sound legitimate and thoughtful. research online or even ask your own teachers to see what features to include. when you have the confidence to write a quick, informative email you'll feel much more comfortable to use that form of communication with teachers, coaches, etc.

3. Establish a Homework/Studying Routine

-decide on an ideal location at home to always do your homework and studying. this will help build consistency, which is crucial. you'll find it easier to focus and eliminate distractions, as well as communicate with other family members that "this is my space" to get done what needs to get done. 

4. Use a Planner

-paper, digital, app-based, etc... whatever you're comfortable with is fine (huge fan of paper planners myself), just USE A PLANNER! write down upcoming tests and projects; record homework the day it's assigned and cross things off as you finish. you'll feel more organized and ahead of the game!

5. Take Time for Yourself

-you absolutely need to do this! take care of yourself...make sure to find space and time every day to:

• do what you love
• participate in activities/sports you enjoy
• spend time being mindful, meditating, or otherwise 'resetting' your mind
• get outside! sunshine, fresh air, and movement are huge for overall self care
• spend time around "your people" - friends, family, teammates, etc. who bring you joy and fill your cup!

There's more, but this is a good list to get you started :)

Feedback --> additions, questions, comments, etc. feel free to reach out! 

image: quietrev.com

Obstacles and Opportunities

As far as setbacks go, I was met with a pretty solid one this week. Last Saturday, while enjoying some outside activities with friends - badminton, to be exact - I ruptured my Achilles tendon. Not fun. Sometimes the universe is very aggressive in delivering simple messages like "hey, you're getting older."

Looking ahead to surgery in a few days followed by physical therapy and recovery, I know there will be plenty of smaller obstacles to work through that lie ahead.

With this situation comes opportunity. Personally, it's a chance to become more intentional establishing daily habits like stretching, being mindful, focusing on what my body is telling me and focusing on my body as a whole. There is every reason to think and believe I can emerge from this process better and stronger in many ways. 

The other opportunity for me is to be an example to my own kids and my students. In education we tend to talk a lot about mindset, grit, positivity, goal-setting, etc. This is my chance to show the people around me - in real time - what this might look like when working through very real setbacks. 

There will be tough days, good days, and bad days. Days where it will be very hard to put on a good face and power through. It'll be important for me to remember that it's okay to be honest with my students --> tell them when I'm struggling and why. Demonstrating thoughtfulness, reflection, vulnerability and - yes - toughness and grit, will hopefully be an example they can draw from in their own lives. 

Here's hoping... (also hoping that eventually that leg will get back to where it was - even though it might take almost a year!)

Essentials

Been thinking quite a bit lately about what's important - especially when it comes to learning and teaching. Typically you'll find that phrase written the other way around: Teaching and Learning. However, I am striving to be much more intentional in reversing the order. 

Why?

Because everything starts and ends with Learning.

In my mind, the number 1 goal as an educator has always been to promote, foster, and help create a love and natural curiosity for learning. 

With that said, here are some of the things I find are essential when it comes to tools, skills, strategies and resources students need to feel and become successful.

-A consistent time and place to study and/or work on homework. This can be tricky with busy lives and activities, but if students have a place in their home they mentally designate as the "work/study" place, they'll have a better mindset for that time. Some consistency around the "when" can also help in establishing and maintaining positive work habits. 

-An organizational method or system. Our school is a binder school (much evidence and research around to support this!) and this works pretty well. For some, it might be the use of folders and notebooks; others it might be an accordion file. Either way, a consistent, clearly labeled system will pay dividends. On that note...

-Planner use and/or direct instruction on Time Management! I've found that most students under the age of 14 or 15 really benefit from using a paper planner. Much can be said of the cognitive benefits of writing things down and being able to go back to check. Most schools and districts have LMS with calendar features. Teaching and training kids on how to effectively utilized these as well goes a long way.

-A school filled with caring adults that kids feel they can trust and lean on. Enough said. This is most definitely #1 and can't be overstated.

-The opportunity for students to build and use their voices consistently and creatively is huge! 

-The chance to READ and WRITE. Every. Single. Day.

-The space to take chances boldly, fail safely, and reflect thoughtfully. 

-An environment with high expectations around LISTENING to and RESPECTING different voices, viewpoints, and experiences. 

-Consistency from me as their teacher; with high expectations, support, and follow-through. 

Thoughts? Anything you'd add? Agree or disagree?

image: clipart-library.com

Takeaways and Truths

 

After a couple of weeks getting into a new school year, it seemed like a good time to reflect on some observations and takeaways of what is going on and what I have seen. Additionally, reminding myself of some of the more universal truths that seem to reintroduce themselves every fall. 

Two weeks in, here's what has resonated:

1. It is so unbelievably fantastic having all of the students back in class and together! They're engaged, love working together and collaborating, and feed off of each others' energy and creativity. 

2. Many students have not been in a classroom consistently - and some not at all - for a year and a half...and in many ways it shows! There are a lot of details around the rhythms of a school day that some are a little rusty on. That's more than okay! All in due time...and some of this stuff is always in need of updating/modifying/adapting anyways. 

3. Kids have become so much more knowledgeable and proficient with their use of technology skills over the past couple of years. A lot of this is due to necessity; some is a byproduct of their lives fully lived digitally.

4. Middle School students - especially but not limited to 6th grade - definitely need recess or some sort of built-in time for physical activity! Ideally, gym class (and frankly ALL the allied arts classes) would get just as much time as others. **if you've read much of what I've written previously, you would know I'm a huge believer in the whole child, well-rounded approach**  It would be so nice if the kids were able to have a daily chance to get movement, be active, clear their minds, and release some of their energy in a positive way!

5. Students love creating. Even when they don't realize it, they seem to feed off of and get energy from creating. The more I can put opportunities in front of them to create, share, give/get feedback, and reflect - the better! 

6. It's vital to have balance in tech/computer use and doing things "analog" as well :)  The students need it, I need it, and everyone benefits from finding that balance after so much time needing to rely on technology. It goes back to those guiding principals around tech use --> is it useful? transformative? enhancing to the experience?

Beyond those thoughts, here are some seemingly universal truths around what students need to do - and what I can need to help with and foster - for successful learning:

a. all kids love learning and are curious. it's a matter of supporting them and building an environment & culture to foster that excitement.

b. every kid deserves an environment at school where they feel safe, respected, and valued. what I've found in 20+ years of teaching is that when kids feel this need is met - no matter what "type" of kid they are - they will flourish and grow.

c. so much of life - and learning - is just about giving it a shot and throwing yourself out there! for some this comes naturally. for many others, it does not. it's incumbent upon me to be their cheerleader when necessary.

d. effort goes a long way and makes up for so much!! 

e. when students know I'm invested in them they will almost always reciprocate. while I understand this doesn't always check out and you'll never get that from 100% of students, that's not a reason to NOT engage with kids!

f. kids need organizational skills and they need to be explicitly taught these skills!

g. at the start of the school year --> start SLOW to go FAST!! 

image: istockphoto.com

Simple Yet (Hopefully) Effective

Something I've always done as a teacher - for 20 years now - has been to greet my students at the door as they come in for class. Additionally, I have always stood in the hallway before first hour and during each passing time throughout the day. It's a great way to have a positive interaction with kids; remind them that you know their name; maybe ask a question about their day/weekend/previous day/game last night, etc. More than anything, what I hope it does is help kids feel welcome.

It's been a little different this year. Students are more spaced out in the halls. For much of the year, only half of the students have been here at a time. There can be a sense of emptiness and even loneliness when you're sitting outside your class waiting for some traffic to come by! Plenty of times over the years I've laughed to myself thinking I'm like Kramer from Seinfeld when he set a mock front porch.

 

Maybe it's generational, but I really enjoy seeing and talking to people in the hallway as they go by - students, fellow teachers, custodians - anyone. It's great to share laughs/jokes with the kids, and razz the older ones you had in previous years. 

It's been hard to get that same feel this year with masks and more distance. Couple that with the fact that kids have spent more time away from people than with others for the past 13 months and it's easy to understand how many are a bit "rusty" with some of the interpersonal skills. Eye contact, the knowing head nod, saying hello, etc. More days than not I am met with more awkward silence, stunted hellos, and short answers than I'd care to admit, but I am sticking with it! Serenity Now...

More than anything, this time has reinforced to me just how much I thrive on communicating, collaborating, and working with others - live and in person as much as possible! No matter what lines of work I find myself in, I know that this is something I'll need. Until next time neighbor...

Rumbling, Stumbling, and Bumbling...Into Learning

 This is really less about my students (at least the stumbling/bumbling part) and more about me and my experience these last months. As someone who began teaching by using a blackboard (at least a little...my student teaching experience in college featured a little bit of this -> the chalk using kind, not the LMS platform!), it's pretty crazy to think about how important, essential, and downright ubiquitous technology has become in this line of work. I understand that isn't a unique statement...this is pretty much how things are in most areas of life right now. No doubt that will only increase each and every year. 

Cue the bumbling and stumbling! I've always prided myself on being up-to-date with best practices, and not just tech integration. In fact, I would say one of my favorite things about being a professional educator is that you're always learning, always growing, always developing new skills. It's pretty integral if you want to be effective (along with a ton of other things...but that's a whole other post). 

This past year has brought more than its share of roadblocks and frustrations. Just when you think you might have things figured out, there's a setback, change of schedule, back to hybrid-back to distance-etc. that you just have to work through. As a result, I KNOW I have stumbled, bumbled, and failed more than a few times.

BUT!... But I've learned. I've grown. I've been able to reflect and decide what has worked well and what hasn't. I have had to adapt, try new techniques, build up aspects of my self that weren't necessarily strengths, and lean into my strengths more than ever before. For all of this, I am better.

This leads me to my students, and this fascinating concept of "learning loss" that gets tossed around quite frequently these days. 

-Have there been parts of 'usual content' that may have been missed over this past year? Yes

-Have students missed out on 'seat time' compared to every other year? No doubt!

-Have students experience more and varied difficulties now than ever before? 100%

Here's the thing...they have LEARNED so much. They've been thrown into the fire, for better or worse. They have had to adapt, try new techniques, developed new skills, and build up some of their own weaknesses that they otherwise (maybe) never would have been forced to develop. Knowledge will now always be at their fingertips through phones, computers, etc. Skills, intelligence, wisdom, and learning should always be happening and developing outside our classroom walls -- even in a "good/normal" year. Part of what I've realized is that a new responsibility on my end is to help foster and facilitate these opportunities for kids whenever I can; to create chances to learn, build, collaborate, and reflect at a high rate in my class; to not go back to any 'usual' things from before that weren't effective and implement as much as possible from this past year that came out of the darkness. 

I love the kids being back in school as much as possible for all the obvious reasons - socialization, mental and emotional health, a connected school community, etc. These have been the tragic parts of the past year. Maybe now we will all recognize just how important all of that is...and not just the potential "learning loss" identified through standardized tests.