MCC Friday Reflections: November 2011

Ella's Corner: Penetrating Love...(by Michael)

Ella's Corner: Penetrating Love...(by Michael): I've sat down to write a blog several times in the past few days. Like everything else in my life, it too, has become more difficult. It...

Ella's Corner: I Used to Think... (by Lindsay)

Ella's Corner: I Used to Think... (by Lindsay): I used to think it was hard to be a mom. Let me rephrase that. I used to think it was hard to be a mom of three kids. Let me rephrase tha...

Mama Bracelets: Black Friday--Cyber Monday & Everything In Between...

Mama Bracelets: Black Friday--Cyber Monday & Everything In Between...: Black Friday--Cyber-Monday & Everything In Between Sale On Friday through Monday (November 25-28, 2011) Mama Bracelets will be celeb...

Ella's Corner: We Are Thankful (by Lindsay and Michael)

Ella's Corner: We Are Thankful (by Lindsay and Michael): The time of year has come when we sit in contemplation of all that surrounds us. The whirlwind of activity that has led to this day of Than...

Ella's Corner: Such a Little Trooper! (by Lindsay)

Ella's Corner: Such a Little Trooper! (by Lindsay): This morning I called the pediatrician's office to set up Ella's appointment with the Orthopedist. I spoke with our favorite nurse, Maggie ...

Ella's Corner: Our Baby Took a Tumble... But She's Ok

Ella's Corner: Our Baby Took a Tumble... But She's Ok: Last night we faced one of the most terrifying moments of our lives. Ava and Henry had gone down the basement to play and forgot to shut th...

Without Being Seen...

Lincoln School teachers and students go to great lengths to demonstrate the Character Counts Traits of Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Caring, and Citizenship. Teachers find new and interesting ways to teach and guide students, motivate and reward them. Students look for opportunities to show what they have learned and to gain recognition for their efforts. This is all good. It sets the tone for the school and for future endeavors.

Often when a student is recognized for his or her efforts in regards to Character Counts they "beam" a bit; for they have been publicly recognized and they serve as a model for other students. Often, kids clap when people are recognized. It is all very positive.

There are times, however, when recognition does not come at the foot heels of a Character Counts demonstration...when the act of kindness or goodwill goes unnoticed; or at least, so it seems.

Picture this~~one student loses something that he values. It is something that is rather small and easily lost or misplaced. He asks somebody who had used his desk earlier if they knew anything about it. The two look all around the desk but no avail. The first student is obviously upset and a bit angry. The second is beside himself with worry, thinking that he is going to be blamed for something he didn't do. I watched as the emotions starting building, yet I remained in the distance, waiting for an opportune moment to step in and help solve the problem. Then, a third student, who had also been watching, took it upon himself to help look for the lost object. The first student had given up and began showing signs of disappointment that could not go unnoticed by the second student. I edged off my chair to begin my intervention when suddenly the third student pulled the object from the depths of the desk and announced, "Here it is!”

The second student's shoulders relaxed as he had been relieved of responsibility. The first student's expression changed from a deep frown to an expressive smile. The third student beamed, more so than any other student who had been formally recognized, at how his actions helped two people. I sat back down and watched some more. A few friendly hugs and high-fives and they went their separate ways. I watched the third student (the "finder"). He went about his business yet he had a glow about him. His internal motivator was just given boost, a real-life experience boost.

The part of all this that caught my attention upon reflection was that the third student did this not knowing that he was being watched. He did it without the expectation of recognition or a reward...he did it out of the goodness of his heart.

Growth...as a student and as a person...is what it is all about here at Lincoln. I witness both variations daily...this one was grand to watch. This one shows me that Character Counts is making a difference.

Ella's Corner: She's Vertical... and Bigger! (by Lindsay)

Ella's Corner: She's Vertical... and Bigger! (by Lindsay): This past Tuesday (11.15.11) Ella was evaluated and fitted for a "stander". This is a piece of equipment that holds her in the standing pos...

Ella's Corner: I'm all right...and then...(by Michael)

Ella's Corner: I'm all right...and then...(by Michael): SMA is a progressive, degenerative disease. It's robbing my daughter of movements we take for granted. It's debilitating to her in so m...

Ella's Corner: On his birthday she looks to him...(by Michael)

Ella's Corner: On his birthday she looks to him...(by Michael): With a heart painted on her cheek and a beautiful bow set in her hair, Ella looks to her new found friend Conlin. Conlin is a 10 year o...

Ella's Corner: A New Normal (by Lindsay)

Ella's Corner: A New Normal (by Lindsay): Tomorrow (11.12.11) marks exactly three months since Ella was officially diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy. It's been quite the ride ...

Many...

When you walk through Lincoln School you will see the walls are filled with pictures, artwork, projects. Representations of what kids are learning about, what they have learned, or information about them. It makes for a colorful display as you roam the maze of hallways.

When I find myself with a moment or two early in the morning or on my way out for the day, I like to stop and admire the hangings as I pass them. Each day brings me a little closer to the Lincoln School culture; I see what matters to the children that house this school.

There are some pictures that have been up for quite some time now, as opposed to the others that are changed on a fairly regular basis. In fact, I don't think these pictures have been changed for years. They are photographs of students past. Far past.

I was walking through a portion of building while my students were at Art and I stopped to look a bit more closely at some of these pictures--it was Monday, Nov. 7th. The first one I saw was a photograph of a classroom with maybe 12 students in it. Their desks were in neat rows and all the kids were looking directly at the camera, hands folded on their desks. There wasn't a whole lot of expression on their faces yet I could see something in their eyes.

The windows to their souls told a story of worry. A story of not being sure about something. At first I thought maybe it was due to the photography of the time as it was in black and white. I stepped closer. It wasn't the photography at all. It wasn't a trick of the light, either. It was something that was in each of their faces. I looked at the caption that accompanied the picture. It read, "Lincoln School~~1917".

World War I

Two pictures down the row there was another classroom shot. This group of students had that same look in their eyes as well. The look, however, seemed a bit more sophisticated. They looked weary and unsure yet had a confidence about them; their eyes pierced the camera lens and told their story. Again, I looked at the caption and read, "Lincoln School~~1940's".

World War II

Many have fought. Many have died. Many still struggle on our behalf for the privilege our children have to walk down a hallway in peace and security, gaining an education that will prepare them for the life they will lead.

Today is Veteran's Day. If I were to take a picture of my class and frame it for posterity, I wonder what a person some 70 or 90+ years from now would read in their eyes?

Mr. Casten

Nov. 11, 2011

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten

Ella's Corner: Breathe Easy...

Ella's Corner: Breathe Easy...: When we drove through the parking garage we found ourselves parking close to the exact spot we had parked when Ella had her EMG this past ...

Ella's Corner: "...where two or three are gathered ..." (by Linds...

Ella's Corner: "...where two or three are gathered ..." (by Linds...: Writing this blog together, as husband and wife, seemed appropriate since the focus extends itself beyond our immediate family, stretching...

Ella's Corner: Taking a Deep Breath...(by Michael)

Ella's Corner: Taking a Deep Breath...(by Michael): On Wednesday Lindsay and I will take Ella to see Dr. Lester, her pulmonologist (University of Chicago Medical Center), for the first time. ...

Taking on Independence

Fourth grade is a time of change. Kids change physically, academically, and socially.

I see it every year and it begins right about now; right about the time of Thanksgiving.

The physical change is always obvious. They seem to grow taller overnight, their expressions are a bit more adult-like, and they are becoming more coordinated in their movements (although that may change as their bodies grow faster and they are trying to "keep up" with it!). They will delight in challenging their physical stamina, their physical coordination, and their physical accomplishments.

Academically the change is something wondrous to behold. They have started on the path of making meaningful connections simply because now they have an arsenal of experiences that they can draw upon. They find the cross-curricular connections more easily and begin to piece the puzzle of education together...figuring out that 'subjects" exist not in isolation but rather are intertwined in many ways. They develop their life-long study habits as well as their appreciation for the unknown and the process required to uncover it. The pride they exhibit when they truly learn something becomes the reward in and of itself. Intrinsic motivation is taking root.

Socially speaking the change is one that carries uplifting highs and debilitating lows. They are looking to each other to help them establish a sense of self, a sense of belonging. The playground can be a rough place; and it is no longer a playground made of swings and see-saws. The playground is present in the classroom, the internet, the lunchroom, and on the walk to and from school. The playground roughness takes its shape in many forms; teasing, peer pressure, bullying, and acceptance/rejection. It's always been a rough place, for all of us. We know this and in that knowing we prepare our kids for it. We give them the tools they will need to weave their way through the social maze the playground has become. They are smart, the kids of today, and with us behind them, they will find their way.

Yes, Fourth Grade is a time for change...life itself is a series of change. This one, however, signals a change that will bring these young people slowly into the adult world. While this may sound sad, the fact that they are growing so quickly, it also serves as an opportunity for each of us to take some extra time to be with our kids...for despite these changes they still need us...and will for some time to come.