The Emergence

The first two weeks of school have come to an end.

Week one was a period of first impressions.  Impressions of the self, impressions of the environment, impressions of how one might fit into a group.  Active games were played designed to elicit group participation, fostering "getting-to-know-you" agendas, and seeking to "break the ice" so a level of comfort can be ascertained.  It went well.  

Week two rolled in quickly; bringing with it promises of curriculum work from the week before.  We dived headfirst into reading and writing, spelling and grammar, math facts and geography, not to mention a favorite--science.  We applied the ideas of responsibility, respect and kindness while we learned.  We took to heart the idea that there is a time to play and a time to work...and when those times came about, the kids responded appropriately.  We quickly found ourselves face to face with Friday...Assessment Day!!

Every Friday becomes a culminating day in Room 202.  We take our Selection Test in Reading to show understanding of the story of the week as well as the vocabulary for the week.  We take our Spelling Test to show how well we have mastered the words for the week.  We take our Basic Fact test in Math to demonstrate how well we have improved with our math facts.  We finalize the writing of the week through conferencing to solidify the writing techniques employed for the week.  We also let go a bit.

Amidst all the assessments, the room is actually hums along quite nicely.  During the times when it needs to be quiet...they are quiet.  During the times when they can talk, I found they are enjoying each others company.  

Knowing my students are becoming comfortable in the classroom both academically and socially is a huge part of a successful start to a new year.  It does not stop here, though.  The first six-weeks of school are really the most important in laying down a foundation for continued growth.  With what I have seen these past two weeks, I am eagerly looking forward to next week, and beyond, as we continue on the path we have chosen.

Mr. Casten

August 31, 2012

How Did We Do?

Kids know they are supposed to do well in school.  They know that the expectations from the adults in their lives are to do well; do you best; be proud.  Each day they come to class they are prepared to accomplish the goal set forth.  Some days they shine like bright stars in the dark night while other days the shine is clouded over by frustration, exhaustion, and indifference.

Despite the cloudy days the kids are to return to school.  They are to once again forge ahead with skills, strategies, and concepts that challenge their minds, their logic, and their understanding.  They learn to use resources available to them; they learn to ask questions designed to further their understanding; they learn how to learn.

Each year my students set goals for themselves...academic and otherwise.  One such goal is a class goal known as "Unsolicited Compliments".  Each year, the class I have currently tries to beat the class record from the year before.  Each year, the goal increases.  

This year our goal is 81 Unsolicited Compliments.  

The rules are simple:

• Any adult in the building may give a compliment for any action demonstrated by the class
• Individual compliments count toward the class goal
• The compliment must be told to Mr. Casten
• Once they earn a compliment it's theirs to keep
• A compliment from the Principal counts as two!
• Of course--the compliment MUST be unsolicited by teacher and/or students

The joy I have witnessed in the expressions on the faces of my students when they finally reach their goal is indeed priceless.  There are no strings attached.  There are no rewards or promises hovering in the background.  There are no external forces acting to ensure the goal has been met.  The kids do this because they know that what they are doing to earn the unsolicited compliments are things that they know are "right" to do.  It's a way for the kids to rise up to the expectations placed upon them by the adults in thier lives.  It's a way for them to further their maturity and to become to best that they can be.

It's always a pleasure to have a new class.  It's always a pleasure to watch them grow, mature, and rise up to the occasions that lay in their paths.  

It is, indeed, a pleasure to be a teacher.

Mr. Casten

August 24, 2012

Running

Twelve years.  That's how long I have been teaching at Lincoln.  Twelve years.  That how long I have taken the same route from my house to school.  Twelve years.  In that time I have seen many houses for sale, sold, then torn down to make room for a new house, a new family, and new students.  I've seen the streets that I traverse through Elmhurst being torn apart and rebuilt to make them safer and more driver friendly, not to mention more car-friendly.  Twelve years.  I've seen high school kids standing on the corners waiting for the school bus to pick them up for school.  Some of them recognize my car and some of them recognize me as their former teacher.  Some of them, I'd say most of them, probably do not pay much attention to me as I pass them by.

Among all that I see on a daily basis as I make my way to work is the unmistakable figure I see, usually two blocks ahead of me on Fairfield, each morning.  The figure is one of a man.  He has slightly slumped shoulders and a square build.  He makes his way down the middle of the street at a pace that shows he is an experienced runner.   

My car approaches him and he makes the necessary movements to allow us both to pass, each traveling in the opposite direction of one another.  As I get closer to him I can see the expression on his 60+ year old face; one of determination, concentration and pleasure.  The details of him become clearer as we come within yards of each other.  His arms swing methodically and his breathing is tempered and deliberate.  He always looks into the driver side of my car and we exchange a wave.

I've never talked with this man.  I don't know his name.  I have no idea of his life story. I have come to expect to see him on his morning run each time I go to work (provided I am on Fairfield at the same time each morning).  I saw him for the first time in two-and-a-half months on Friday morning (8.17.12)  as my school year began.

I was glad to see the running man.  I realized that seeing him each morning provides me with a sense of peace and calmness.  It provides me with a way to look at my day.  The determination, concentration, pleasure and deliberate nature he exudes is exactly what I must bring to my classroom, my school, and my life each and every day.

I hope, for his sake and mine, that we can both enjoy the early morning wave we share for years to come.

Mr. Casten

August 17, 2012

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