First two weeks from where I stand

I have taught what I believe are two of the most important lessons I will teach all year.

I am different, I am the same. I have the students look around the room and notice how from the outside they all look different. Therefore, I conclude a person does not have the right to put someone down just because they are different, because we are different also. We may as well look in the mirror and tease, bully, harass ourselves. What it really is, is a judgement, saying oneself is better than another, why? Who decides who is cool, attractive and all of those other labels we attach based on outward appearance? To illustrate this idea further I read the book, Feathers and Fools to the classes. An excellent book that was read to me by one of my professors years ago.

The second lesson that I feel is so important has to do with listening. I modeled this for the students as I showed the difference between focused, intentional listening and the kind of listening which is so prevalent these days. It is hard, we are so busy, but sometimes we need to really listen with our whole being to another person. Of course we cannot do this all of the time, we would be exhausted. However, it seems that the pendulum needs to shift a bit farther the other direction towards thoughtful communication, would you agree?

Speaking of communication, I have shared this thought with the students-Everything is communication. What you speak, what you write, your body language, the quality of your work, writing your name on your paper, etc. I ask them from time to time, "What are trying to communicate to me?"

We have discussed the Mariner's Code: Respect, Responsibility, Safety , Being Prepared. Doing nothing to keep my teacher from teaching, myself and others from learning. And that they are capable of making good choices.

We have discussed the importance of speaking respectfully to elders, using sir and ma'am. The importance of maintaining eye contact when you are talking and listening. I expressed my hopes that my students will be the kind of people to celebrate others successes.

We have also been conducting daily math assessments, making observations in science ( using potatoes). We have been to the lab twice. They have learned how to log onto their school account and access their folders. They have also learned how to access a supplement to our math curriculum, PearsonSuccessnet. They have received their planners along with their first homework assignments. They are coming to terms with new routines and expectations.

All of this and much more has been going on the past two weeks. All the while they are learning about us, we are learning about them, they are coping with having two teachers. One of their teachers is their first "boy" teacher as I was called my first year here by a student.

We have begun the journey to create the conditions for learning, and that is what we are all about.