Reflection in Learning

www.schoolreforminitiative.org/fall-meeting

I have been working with a few young 3rd grade boys from one class over the past few months. It seems that there is always something that triggers conflict. Most often it is words, but a few times it has escalated into minor physical altercations. The interpersonal relationships have developed into a toxic, finger-pointing, looking for trouble context that has been quite disruptive to the class; especially during less structured times and transitions. After a major escalation where play "battling" got aggressively physical, I felt that the standard disciplinary action was not enough. An increase in monitoring, coaching and visible support from administration felt necessary. In my discussions and counseling with this particular group of boys, I found that there was a lot of distracting nonsense going on. They were constantly in each other's space, nitpicking on each other, baiting each other and trying to touch each other. How frustrating! So I told them this story (an

I arrived thinking about how to recognize when to bravely call out excuses we, as educators, often make about students. They are not ill intentioned... they are just programed into our social constructs. I'm reminded of the conflict with the Black Lives Matter movement and have appreciated the illuminations that have illustrated the need to recognize the inequities in our society - it's not that All Lives Don't Matter; it's just that we need to look deeper inside to understand how history has marginalized minorities. And do something about it. I've grown as a result of this introspection and now carry the duty to help others grow in their own way to boldly look into the shadows of their own hearts to confront their own biases. I was thinking about teacher attitudes, personality and teacher talk and then... BAM! I was introduced to Principal Kafele's idea of the Attitude Gap . Kafele challenges us to create a foundation in our school cultures where the adults bel

A Colleague shared this story to close out our first week back to school: A priest working in a small village decided to have a contest for the children. He put fruit and candies in a basket across a field and challenged the children to a race. The first one to the basket would get all the treats. When he said "go" he was surprised to see the children run hand in hand to the basket. When he asked them why they did that when one of them could have all the treats, they replied that they didn't want to leave anyone out.  This first week back is like that concept - let's walk hand in hand to carry all of us towards our goal of guiding children to discover their innate beauty and abilities and lead them to learn and grow in positive ways. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.  We have a lot to do in school to support students and families. Go forth and seek the good in our world!

Monday we used a Microlab Protocol and borrowed these questions from SRI: (we moved the 3rd question in #3 to #4). Teachers sat in quads to think then take turns talking. They appreciated the think time, dedicated speaking time and how they were compelled to participate (no opt out). They also remarked that this was something good to think about a talk about - not your typical first day back in pre-planning. Later in the morning we asked teachers to reflect on their "purpose", draft a pithy purpose statement and create a matching visual.

I made this graphic to keep me grounded in my purpose...  check it out! It features Edison doing a yoga Tiger. Nothing  else expresses the raw joy and passion for life as a  preschooler totally engaged in mind, body and spirit.