Escaped

The bell has rung.  The room stands still.  Pencils are entering 

dormancy and papers no longer crinkle.  Folders are resting 

quietly in the places that their owners left them, and supply 

boxes are recovering from the flurry of activity they were a 

part of this week.

Where has the time escaped to?  Spring Break is here.  Seven-

and-a-half months have passed since my students first 

stepped into Room 202, stepped into 4th Grade, stepped into 

my daily life.  They have learned, grown, and matured since 

August of 2013 and as I look across the solemn room that has 

housed me for the past 13 years, I realize that time is slipping 

away quickly.

Before we know it summer will be upon us.  Until then we 

will work diligently on State Reports, science concepts, 

reading applications, writing exercises, and math problems.  

We will transition into the warmth of summer as we shed our 

winter coats, hats. gloves and boots.  The cloak closets will be 

able to breathe once again and the lost and found in the 

building will dwindle in its contents.  Children running in the 

warmth of the sun will catch our eyes during recess as they 

race to play yet another game of their liking.

Spring Break allows for a moment in time to rejuvenate one's 

mind, body and soul.  It allows the family to gather together 

after a long winter, spending time celebrating the gifts of 

nature as they blossom and bloom.  It is a time to re-aquaint 

with one another as summer fast approaches.  Before we 

know it, summer will be upon us.  My students and I will 

travel in our own directions with the promise of seeing each 

again come next Fall, if only for a quick hello, a reassuring 

smile, or a moment of remembrance for the time we had 

together.

Enjoy the time with your family; for as we all know...time 

escapes so quickly.

Mr. Casten

March 28, 2014

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten

A Defining Time

What resides in the mind of a 4th grader can often surprise us.  The notions, beliefs, and views of the world that come forth at this age can precipitate a sense of wonderment in the social development of humans.  Witnessing the evolution of the mind and the implications therein, make for a worthwhile journey.

A discussion about friendships, respect, and politeness entered our classroom this week.  The conversation came on the heels of an "Ease the Tease" assembly and classroom presentation.  The message was clear:  bullying is not acceptable. 

  

I watched the performance in the morning as it was a 3-5 assembly.  Hundreds of kids, several teachers, & a handful of PTA members scrunched in the Multi-Purpose Room and learned and reviewed strategies for dealing with bullying, teasing, and disrespect.  The message was clear:  You have the power to stop inappropriate behaviors.

I further watched the classroom presentation following the assembly.  It allowed my students to try the strategies spoken of at the assembly.  It allowed the discussion of "how to treat one another" to be opened.  The message was clear:  Disrespect is not acceptable.

After the "crew" of actors left, I set aside my lesson plans and took the opportunity that lay before me to engage my students in a discussion that quite frankly surprised me with its content.

We began by speaking about respect for one another and moved on to friendships.  The kids became quite involved in this part of the conversation.  They led the discussion to places of exploration such as how to be a good friend; how many friends is desirable to have; how to strengthen friendships when there is a disagreement; how to help a person who finds themselves friend-less.  This group of 26 nine and ten year-olds brought to the table a mature conversation; expressing personal experiences filled with happy moments, sad moments, and even some scary moments.  I noticed that in their frailty of childhood they were strong.  I found that behind their silliness they thought deeply about things sometimes.  I was humbled to listen to stories that ended with tears welling in some eyes only to be quelled by the words of another.  I witnessed a maturing moment in my students.

We all know growing up is not easy...no one ever said it would be.  My students are in the throws of it as I write this and you read it.  They are at a point where they can and will make conscious decisions on who and what they will be to one another.  It an exciting time for them...a defining time at that.

"It makes no sense to try and be someone you're not because that person is already taken."  ~4th Grader

    

Mr. Casten

March 21 2014

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten

Their Generation

A week of testing.  A week of focusing on questions, answers, filling in bubbles, writing responses, and explaining their thinking.  A week of specials being turned around.  A week without the math, reading, science or social studies lessons.  A week without stations or volunteers in the classroom (except one read-aloud).  A week of desks being situated in rows like the old days.  A week of being able to chew gum or have mints while in school.  A week of no homework.

ISAT time can be stressful for kids, teachers  and parents.  It is amazing how much we all really depend on our routines.  There is a sense of security in expectations being fulfilled, schedules being adhered to, and plans unfolding as you laid them out.  ISAT time disrupts that and forces a new routine on kids...which in turn, spills over into the lives of the teachers and parents.

Kids today are part of the generation that is connected worldwide.  They are used to being able to make some sort of contact with others in an instant.  They are being taught in the ways of collaboration.  They are encouraged to help one another, problem-solve together, while at the same time express their individuality.  

ISAT time asks them to put their natural tendencies and learned behaviors aside.  Their natural tendency to be social tries its best to break through the ISAT wall.  Their natural tendency to want help with things they are not quite sure of creeps its way past the directions that I cannot help them.

Their learned behaviors are challenged during ISAT; "ask for help when you need it" is what we've taught our kids.  They cannot ask for help, though.  They are on their own.  They are flying solo.

ISAT week is a time of jumbled schedules, both at school and at home.  ISAT week is a time when faith is placed in the children to do the best they can.  It's a time when the challenge is more than simply academic...it reaches into the social and emotional worlds of our kids.

My students did a wonderful job tackling these challenges throughout the week.  I hope that you take a moment this weekend to acknowledge the efforts they took in school this week to meet the challenges and work within them.

    

Mr. Casten

March 7, 2014

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten