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Collective Cusp

There comes a time each school year when the students and teacher begin to fall away from putting one’s best foot forward and it becomes ok to make mistakes, ok to show your true colors, ok to just be yourself.  In doing so a classroom culture is defined.  Those special things that make each year special begin to emerge and take shape.  Moments that will become memories, often distant memories, are forged. 

Emerging from their collective cocoons, my students and I are at the point where we are sharing personal stories from our lives; stories that accentuate the theme of a lesson.  Letting down our collective hair we have begun to find the quirks each possesses; celebrating the unique nature of each person.  Taking a collective sigh we are finally at a point where behavior and discipline are intertwined with comfort and relaxation; the common good of learning is taking precedence.

A “collective” is made up of parts…in this case the collective is the class as a whole, the parts are each person therein.  The “collective” can move as a school of fish might, each member turning in unison with the group…in this case the adherence to expectations is growing stronger.  The “collective” develops attitudes, norms, and acceptance embedded in the overall good of the members…in this case the task of learning while enjoying oneself. 

The “parts” of the collective have an identity all to themselves.  These identities are developing right before our very eyes.  The individual has many decisions to make within a day in a classroom.  The decisions reached call on the individual to seek acceptance.  The collective often decides what is acceptable or not…it can be a rough road at times.  


I would say we’re on the cusp…on the cusp of the members of our little “collective” coming together to identify with the collective…to be known as one made up of many.  I would also say we’re on the cusp of forging memories that have the potential to last a lifetime…and if nurtured with delicate care, these forged memories can become a source of comfort and delight. 

Mr. Casten
Oct 16, 2015

All written material is property of Michael C. Casten

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