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An Orchestra of Relationships

The workings of a classroom are many and varied; an orchestra of relationships competing for attention, striving towards goals, and developing individualism.


Students not only interact with the teacher, they also interact with each other, technology, the written word, sounds, and sights.   This concert of information bombards them constantly as we learn, work, and play.  Interactions can go smoothly or travel a rocky road.  They can enrich the experience or cause trouble within.  It’s a balancing act we must teach our students to perform…finding just right balance of how to manage these relationships in order to be successful in school.


Part of learning requires working together with other students on a common project.  This week, kids were placed into groups of 5-6 students and had to write a newsletter.  They each came up with their own story and then had to collaborate to get the story on the computer, designed, named, and printed.


The first day of group work the expectations were explained.  I then stepped back and let the chips fall where they may. 


It was chaotic.


I firmly believe that from chaos comes order.  After the allotted time was up and we re-grouped I used this as an opportunity for us to explore why there was so much chaos in our classroom.  We found areas within the students’ relationship among each other as they worked that needed strengthening and areas that worked well.  We resolved to have a better “work time” the next day.


Lo and behold the next day arrived and we were right back at it…designing, writing, and collaborating on the newsletters.  This time, however, and every session thereafter, things ran more smoothly.  More work was accomplished; more kids were smiling with the satisfaction of a job well done. 


Four newsletters were produced.  Each one was finished and turned in on time.  Collaboration was felt throughout the classroom and the positive consequences ensued.  


Traversing through the thick forest of relationships while working in a group became a bit easier this week for my students…and they now can look forward to more such experiences; those that will hopefully enrich their lives and their learning.


Mr. Casten

Sept. 12, 2014

Copyrighted material of Michael C. Casten


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