Days of Change

The times are changing.


The school year is more than half over.  Routines are established, schedules are memorized, and relationships are established.  Yet despite this seemingly stable environment there is a change brewing underneath the surface.  Change is good.  It is beneficial in that it fuels the desire to excel and proceed forward.


The core of the classroom is the environment.  We all enter into this environment every day yet each day is different...not because the environment has changed but because those within it are changing.  My students are becoming more independent.  They are exercising their independence as they defend their answers, reason their way through a problem, and set goals for themselves.  My students are maturing in their relationships as they are seeking social acceptance among their peers; trying to find where they belong in the environment.  My students are experimenting with humor and sarcasm as they test the cause and effects of such things.


Times are changing.


It's a far cry from the first day of school.  They are getting taller, their faces are silently becoming more mature.  They are thinking a bit more deeply and making more connections.  They are gathering experiences that will serve them well in their lives.  


It always amazes me, this time of year does, at how incredible the transformation is that takes place in 4th grade.  It is bittersweet in that it calls me to realize that the school year is more than half over and I will be bidding farewell to my students and at the same time I know that I have some more time to spend with them learning, laughing, and living in the environment that we have set up for ourselves.

Mr. Casten

Feb. 24, 2012

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten

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Understand

When I was growing up my parents had some friends that had two children.  They would come over maybe 2-3 times per year.  The kids were two girls, about 3 years apart.

Whenever we would start to play a game my sister, brother, and I would have to go over the rules.  For us, we knew the rules since most of the games we played were "our" games.  Of course, we would have to explain the rules to the two girls.  Each time we did so the older one would say, "Ok, let's play!".  The younger one, however, would always say, "I don't understand" in a kind of whiney voice.  The older sister would roll her eyes and sigh but before she could say anything one of us would explain the game again.  "I don't understand", the younger one would insist.  We then would show her how to play the game, trying our best to provide an example for her.  Often times the example was a bit confusing especially to someone who "didn't understand". In perfect harmony with her previous statements she would again claim, "I don't understand."  The older girl lost her composure and demanded of her little sister, "NOW YOU UNDERSTAND!!".  The younger one invariably cried at this.  We went ahead, despite her tears, and played the game.  Within 5 minutes the younger one understood and everything went fine after that; until of course, the next game and explanation came along--then the whole affair repeated itself.  

Kids benefit from being told things, that's for sure.  They can benefit from seeing things as well.  They do, however, benefit most from experiencing things.  As the adults in our children's lives we have the awesome responsibility to teach them the ways of the world...education, art, music, manners, courtesies, coping skills, and more--much more.  In this, as a teacher and a parent I have relied heavily on something someone once told me...

"I hear and I forget,

I see and I remember,

I DO and I understand."

The older sister wanted so badly for her younger sibling to understand that she thought she could command an understanding out of her.  To no avail.  It wasn't until the little girl actually played the game did she understand.  

As adults, we have to let our kids "play the game"...from there they will gain a greater understanding of the world in which they live.

Mr. Casten

Feb. 10, 2012

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten

The Future Ushered In

The fourth grade began their "Type to Learn" program this week.  It's a five-week web-based typing program.  They love it.

I watch them as they complete their 15 minute session every morning and it takes me back to my Junior High School days when I sat at a desk in Mrs. Lamplot's room with the old-school typewriter listening to her say, "a, a, a, space, l, l, l," and on and on she would go.  We would type everything she said and have to turn in the paper at the end of the lesson.

Not these days.  These days the programs are rich with inviting graphics, delightful sounds, and exciting challenges.  The program keeps the students interested and engaged while teaching them the basics of typing.  They are practicing a skill that will serve them well in the future.

Teaching is much different these days...even from when I started a mere 11 years ago.  Not only is teaching different but the way kids learn these days is different.  They are in tune with technology that allows them access to a whole world of information.  They understand how to navigate websites, programs, and files.  

As quickly as technology changes, so too will their appetite for it.  They will become immersed in the social networking websites, required to submit online applications for school and employment, have meetings virtually, and conduct business through cyberspace across the street, the town, the state, the country and the world.

iPods, iPads, Windows, Macs, iPhones, Kindles, and more.  The language of learning is changing; the language of the world is changing.  It has been for a while now.

My students now are just beginning to incorporate the technological advances into their lives, their learning, and their way of life...they will continue to do so at an astronomical rate...are we ready for them?

I hope, that as their teacher, I can provide them with the best technological experiences that I have at my disposal. I am fortunate to work in a district that has the direction and means to supply their students and teachers with technology.  

I watch my students on the computer and I am impressed with how well they interact and show respect for the medium.  I am looking forward to the years to come with more technology and more students.

Mr. Casten

Feb. 2, 2012

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten