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Beyond Books...2.19.10

Beyond Books...
I was walking down the hallway early in the week and a 5th grader, whom I recognized but didn't have as a student last year, approached me and showed me her "little bags of seashells" ('seasells' as she called them) that she had collected.  She loved her shells and I could see the spark in her smile as she went on and on about them.  We parted ways and the thought of her shells stayed with me throughout the morning as I planned my day...they were dear to the little girl and she felt wonderful sharing them with me---then---school started.
We spent the week completing the Benchmark Tests, reviewing basic concepts in math in order to refresh our memories in preparation for ISAT, writing papers, making maps, and generally working, working, working.  Thoughts of the shells escaped my conscious mind.
Friday rolled around and the kids began writing their Friday Reflections.  When they were to write about what they learned this week they were stumped.  "We didn't do anything, Mr. Casten!" they told me.
I reminded them that learning is not only about books and facts...it can be about yourself.  I relayed the message that even though we didn't "crack" a book this week we learned a lot about ourselves in terms of how we handle stress, what we rely on to help us cope, and how we depend on one another for little things to guide us through our daily lives.  Of course, some of them looked at me in a funny way, but many of them took to heart what I was saying and wrote about their own personal adventures through the week; disregarding the "school" learning and focusing on themselves--their inner selves.
I hope the little "seasell" girl finds more shells--and when she does, I'm sure her smile will continue to sparkle.
Mr. Casten
Feb. 19, 2010

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