This week, while working independently on essays and projects, I decided to try to talk with each student one-on-one. I am really glad I did. These kids are just so amazing and I just don't get to see that everyday when we focus solely on content. I have a wonderful student that I had last year that is so quiet in class and I just found out that she is a black belt in Taekwondo! It is only the first day of doing this and already I have met kids that are programming computers, making their own album, playing in rock bands, twirling batons, and competing in tumbling competitions- just to name a few. Not only that, but I am so impressed by their understanding of their own learning styles, what they need to do well in the classroom, and what they need to be successful in school. I've tried so many things in the past to get to know kids from surveys, to storytelling, to videos, but I guess there is just no substitute for a good old fashioned conversation.
We do a little assignment at the beginning of the year where kids show a scar and tell the story of how they got it. Then the class listens and tries to guess what that person is like based on their story. It teaches indirect characterization, basic plot, reading strategies, and theme- but really the main reason I do it is to get to know the kids. Telling the scar story generally works because it can be hard to go up in front of a class of strangers during the first week and tell them something personal about your life. But today I heard something so brave and honest that it just made me want to be a better person myself. Instead of a fluffy or funny story, this student told about his parents' divorce and some of the most painful and personal memories from his past. It is hard for me to explain this, but he did it with such poise and perspective that I just felt lucky to get to teach this old soul. Such honesty, such guts!
So I was inspired by a fellow teacher to try to capture some of the great things that I see happening everyday. I'll try to put a few here at least once a week.
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