Returning back to school from a two
week Winter Break is always interesting. We pick up right where we left
off yet there is a slight difference in the atmosphere of a classroom.
There seems to be a more independent feeling amongst the students.
Despite the two week hiatus they remember the routines, the
expectations, and the rules. They recall the way things are done and
where their responsibilities lie.
During the first few months of school a great deal of attention is placed upon modeling behaviors, reiterating expectations, reminders of rules, and praising for conformity. It's set up that way on purpose so that the rest of the months of a school year can be more dedicated to the process of learning without having to worry about the logistics of group behaviors. When a two-week Winter Break shows up each year a teacher naturally thinks, "What will they be like when they return?". "Will they remember all that we had accomplished over the past 3-4 months?". "Will I have to backtrack or even start over?".
Each year, however, it seems to be pretty much the same. The kids come back ready to learn, willing to cooperate, and excited to be together again. From an educator's perspective this is a recipe for continued success in the classroom. A recipe for learning to grab hold once more with its gentle yet firm grip. A recipe for growth to be evident in each student, in their own right, their own way. This return to the world we created in the classroom, as if we had never left, allows us to trust the system we have in place...and thereby trust the environment and the atmosphere. With that trust comes comfort. And with that comfort comes an increased ability to learn, grow and succeed.
The next few months will decidedly be filled with projects, concepts, activities, independence, and testing. We will head straight into the learning; building on the ideas we established before break, relying on the trust instilled before break, and looking forward to the goals we have set before ourselves.
Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten
During the first few months of school a great deal of attention is placed upon modeling behaviors, reiterating expectations, reminders of rules, and praising for conformity. It's set up that way on purpose so that the rest of the months of a school year can be more dedicated to the process of learning without having to worry about the logistics of group behaviors. When a two-week Winter Break shows up each year a teacher naturally thinks, "What will they be like when they return?". "Will they remember all that we had accomplished over the past 3-4 months?". "Will I have to backtrack or even start over?".
Each year, however, it seems to be pretty much the same. The kids come back ready to learn, willing to cooperate, and excited to be together again. From an educator's perspective this is a recipe for continued success in the classroom. A recipe for learning to grab hold once more with its gentle yet firm grip. A recipe for growth to be evident in each student, in their own right, their own way. This return to the world we created in the classroom, as if we had never left, allows us to trust the system we have in place...and thereby trust the environment and the atmosphere. With that trust comes comfort. And with that comfort comes an increased ability to learn, grow and succeed.
The next few months will decidedly be filled with projects, concepts, activities, independence, and testing. We will head straight into the learning; building on the ideas we established before break, relying on the trust instilled before break, and looking forward to the goals we have set before ourselves.
Mr. Casten
Jan. 11, 2013
Comments
Post a Comment