In class we have discussed wondering, pondering and reflecting. Sometimes as adults we have such moments when we are driving, riding on the train, or often like I do when I am walking my dogs. If you read a couple of my previous post on this website you can read such dog walking ponders as I look for a common walking path and in the classroom ponders of a balance between rigor and high expectations and nurturing students.
Blog post #1 Part 1
In writing this blog post I am connecting the practices of wondering, pondering and reflecting as well as developing a balance in classrooms between rigor and high expectations for students and nurturing students. Both of these concepts I am relating to a previous student through his My Life in Six Songs CD lesson plan and to a quote that he sent me a couple of weeks ago.
The song he chose to write his lesson plan was the Ottis Redding song “Sitting on the doc of the bay.” Not connecting to the exact meaning of the song as written but rather the opportunity of “sittin on the doc of a bay – watching the tide roll away. Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay Wastin' time.” (If you are not familiar with the song I have placed at the bottom of this blog post the lyrics as well as a youtube link to the song.)
My student was advocating in his lesson plan the need for young adolescent students not to have all time in school and after school scripted and planned and that it is OK to “waste some time” and to enjoy the moment. He identifies in his lesson that, “The overall mission of this assignment is to allow YA students the opportunity to reflect on how and where they find themselves “sitting on the dock of the bay, wasting time” and why that might not be the worst use of their free time. The goal of the lesson builds community in the classroom as students come to see that their peers also find themselves “wasting time” and that thinking and reflecting alone or with a companion is a very real and human experience.”
Actually “waste some time” is something that some of us adults need to do as well., without feeling guilty. Maybe we are also too scripted with too much to do.
Blog post #1 Part 1 Response:
In your response to this blog write if you think such a practice is a good idea and if so how can you help your students “waste time” in a constructive way – a way of wondering, pondering, reflecting. Also share ways and opportunities for how you might take some time to waste – to wonder, ponder, reflect.
Blog post #1 Part 2
“Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance you must keep moving.” Albert Einstein
I recently received the above quote from the student who said that when he read it he thought of me. When I asked him why this quote made him think of me he replied, “The perception and achievement of balance in life looks and feels different for us all. Your blog about walking Lizzie and Schooner certainly showed one way of seeing that balance! Also, I will never forget your comment about how important a bicycle is to young adolescents and their sense of freedom and independence. So when I read the Einstein quote, I had to share it with you.”
I have to agree with his connection of balance between rigor and high expectations for students and nurturing students to that of riding a bike. I had not yet thought about the concept but how true it is. Maybe if I had recently been riding my bike I might have thought about how the balance in riding a bike is like maintaining the classroom balance between classroom rigor and high expectations and nurturing students - but I was guided to the concept through my student. For those of you who ride a bike – you know the true sense of balance it takes to ride.
When I think about it riding a bike is possibly one of the purest examples of balance than any other activity - unless maybe riding a motorcycle – which a similar balance is needed – although a different position is needed when turning a corner [ask me about the scar on my leg from when I was riding a motorcycle with Roger R when I was in high school and my parents did not know it and then I got a really really bad burn from the exhaust pipe because I did not lean the correct way and then lied to my mom how I got the injury. (I told her a corn stalk jabbed and cut my leg). I look back now and realize my mom had to know I was lying because an exhaust burn looks nothing like a corn stalk cut.] Anyway, I digress, back to bicycle balance….
When many people learn to ride a bicycle one usually rides a tricycle first and then practices riding a bicycle with training wheels. Then after we have some experience and confidence in developing balance our training wheels come off and we are on own. We have learned to balance.
For teachers to develop classroom balance between rigor and high expectations and nurturing we need classroom experience and training wheels. Our training wheels might be the experiences we face in the classroom that allow us to develop the skills and find the necessary balance of high expectations and support or by having mentors to help us develop the balance. When we learn how to balance our classroom experiences and know how to use that balance which will vary from classroom to classroom – day to day - we have the freedom in our teaching and working with young adolescents as they have the freedom of riding their bikes down the driveway – into the street and off to a friend’s house – independent of his/her parents. A feeling of comfort in balance, adventure, confidence, and expectations of self has been acquired although maybe possibly challenged upon occasion in the future. We still fall off bikes as adults – as we may make a “mis take” or error in finding a classroom balance.
Blog post #1 Part 2 Response
So for this part of your blog response post write how you plan or currently connect and develop a balance between rigor and high expectations and nurturing for your students and the possible freedom as an educator you felt when you found such balance.
(SITTIN' ON) THE DOCK OF THE BAY http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCmUhYSr-e4
http://www.stlyrics.com/lyrics/topgun/sittingonthedockofthebay.htm
- written by Otis Redding and Steve Cropper
Lyrics as recorded by Otis Redding December 7, 1967, just three days before his death in a plane crash outside Madison, Wisconsin #1 for 4 weeks in 1968
Sittin' in the mornin' sun
I'll be sittin' when the evenin' come
Watching the ships roll in
And then I watch 'em roll away again, yeah
I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm just sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
I left my home in Georgia
Headed for the 'Frisco bay
'Cause I've had nothing to live for
And look like nothin's gonna come my way
So I'm just gonna sit on the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Ooo, I'm sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
Look like nothing's gonna change
Everything still remains the same
I can't do what ten people tell me to do
So I guess I'll remain the same, yes
Sittin' here resting my bones
And this loneliness won't leave me alone
It's two thousand miles I roamed
Just to make this dock my home
Now, I'm just gonna sit at the dock of the bay
Watching the tide roll away
Oooo-wee, sittin' on the dock of the bay
Wastin' time
Blog post #2 Once other students in class have posted something on their blogs read a couple and post a reply to one.
Blog posting #3 Check out some on the advice and obstacles from some of the board members on the web site
http://web.me.com/yamwbp/Advice_4_MLEs/Welcome.html.
Compare your views on teaching and learning and the obstacles you identified to those provided on the website and then post a short paragraph in your blog.
Blog 4# Go to other educators’ blogs and explore what they are writing and sharing. Try to read at least three educator blogs. Take one of the blogs and post a reply to the blog sharing you thoughts about what was written. Start with thefischbowl.blogspot.com – there are several teachers’ blogs - on the ride side of the scroll down and you will see them
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28 comments:
Part 1
I have no problem helping students 'waste time'. Unfortunately, the students that I work with are not heavily scheduled all the time and spend way to much time not being focused becausde it isn't expected of them at home. the students that I work with actually need to learn how to schedule their time. I agree that my students need to ponder and reflect more than they do now, but not in place of being focused. I could help them become more focused by relecting and thinking about what that means. In a sense they would 'waste time' in order to not waste time.
Part 2
When I think about rigor/high expectations in regard to my students I believe that they don't always understand what it means because for a number of them, they haven't been held to a high expectation very often, so they need to be brought to a place of balance by first being able to understand what rigor is.
My school has been struggling with this issue for a number of years and some of the students have grasped it and a lot just think itis about making the work harder and giving them more to do. They have not reacted well to this, almost 50% of last year's 8th grade class did not cross the stage at graduation, not because they didn't pass ISAT, but because they did not do the required work in class. So their balance and freedom most come from their own knowledge that they understand what rigor is and that they can suceed with high expectations. We as teachers must nuture this budding realization like gardeners, tending to our crops. We must be able to tend to and take of these students until they grow strong enough intellectually that they can find their own balance.
Blog post #1, Part 1 Response
I think that the idea of students “wasting time” in a constructive way is a good idea. I say this because students now days have short attention spans especially in teen adolescent years. It has increased due to lack of recess in schools to release the energy that the students have, as well as from mental exhaustion. I think learning should be like a roller coaster in theory that students should have structured activities and exploring activities related to the lesson. It helps sometimes as well just to have free time to just read a favorite book for quiet time. I love as well as the students when we have DEAR time. The students read a favorite book or I read to them, or use the time for them to recap and explain something new that they learned for the day.
Reading this re-enforce the belief the middle school students need time during their school day to relax and unwind. By allowing them this opportunity to relax and unwind I believe that the number of discipline issues in the classroom will decrease.
There are various ways in which educators can encourage students to ponder, reflect and wonder about different things during classroom time. At the same time as educators we should help and maintain the balance of rigor and high expectations among our students. The term “Wasting time” is not always a negative thing for students to do. I will give my students this time after a class activity or reading assignments, students deserve this time to reflect and. At the same time we are getting very important feedback from our students that we could utilize to construct better plans and prepare our students for the future, because these same skills will help them as adults as they make their own choices.
Part 1 Response
I think that 'wasting some time' is a good thing for anyone to do, but I do not think school is the place to do it.
People value things more when they have to earn it. If people are just given time to waste in school or elsewhere they don't value it, they just take it for granted and assume they have some kind of 'right' to do whatever they want with their time, without paying attention to any kind of responsibility or developing any work ethic.
School is a place to develop a work ethic. One of the reasons you develop a work ethic is so that you learn how to balance your time to take care of the things that need to get done so you can do the things you want. Students need to learn that and school is where they should learn it, since it is essentially their 'job'.
For myself, I wonder/ponder/reflect constantly. If I am not doing something else that is actively engaging my mind, I am thinking about something. There is more time available to think than people realize, especially if you are willing to discipline yourself to wisely use the time you have available.
Part II
I find balance between high expectations and nurturing by getting to know my students and being willing to adjust as I learn more.
Part of finding balance is admitting when you're doing something wrong and correcting your course before things go completely off the rails. You need to be honest in self-introspection and acknowledge when something is your fault as opposed to the students' fault, and be willing to make the appropriate changes.
Conversely, sometimes you need to stay the course and let students know there are certain expectations, and you will push them to meet those expectations. If consequences come because of a failure to do so, then they need to deal with it, learn from it, and improve so that next time they do better.
It is a constant give and take, and finding that balance isn't a one time thing, it's an every day thing. The moment you think you've got it all figured out is the moment things begin to go downhill for you.
I think a moment of self-reflection and trying to regain clarity is a necessity in all of our lives. We all get in the 'weeds' and need to stop before going in too deep. I have adjusted my one-on-one student's between class schedule so that he doesn't get overwhelmed with too many materials. At first he was worried about being chronically late but now he feels that the extra 'pit stop' between his classes is not a total waste of time.
Response part 2:
Tutoring gives me the freedom to connect my goals to expectations in a very controlled and self-directed manner. I am focusing on what my two students that I tutor can do now. My expectations are high but it is refreshing to see progress whether great or small. When the students realize a breakthrough they have made, engagement becomes a bit easier to maintain. Bob K has some very keen insights on expectations and there are some stark realities that hinder what both educators and students themselves expect. We must help the students realize potential and give them the opportunity to display their intelligence in ways that are comfortable for them.
The act of constructively "wasting time" for a student, I feel is important. Personally, when I am able to sit back and think about an assignment, I tend to do a better job on that assignment. Wasting time in the classroom becomes unrealistic, due to the time constraints. But there are ways, before a test, instruct all students to clear their desk and take 5 minutes to sit, stand, or just relax. They should use this 5 minutes to wonder, ponder, and/or reflect on the test/quiz they are about to take. This act should hopefully clear their minds and calm them down, so they will do their best. Another thought is to have a pet center, they should just wonder, ponder and/or reflect, while they are with the pets.
Classroom balance has to start from the first day of class. Students have to know the high expectations and the rigor that will be expected from them. Consistency is the key to finding and keeping this balance. I plan to outline this for the adolescents I will work with in the classroom. This way as a teacher, I will have something to work from as a reminder when expectations are not meet.
Blog Post #1 Part 2 Response
I currently develop balance between rigor and high expectations with nurturing students by trying to listen to my students to find what interest them, and I connect that with what we are currently learning, standards, core curriculum, and use higher order thinking questions to link their interest with the skill and subject taught. I remember when I first started teaching, my first year I stuck close to the basal because I did not have a mentor. I stuck close to and asked many questions from veteran teachers around me for advice. I had to balance working with students with disabilities, to testing students two and three times a week for DIBELS, best practices etc. I constantly reflected on my days, and wrote in a journal what worked what didn’t work, and things I could do differently in the lesson. After my first year and after going to any PD, that I could register myself for, I finally found that balance. I keep journals so I can go back to these experiences and reflect on my first year of teaching and how it shaped me as a teacher as well.
Odesta09,
I like how you tie in your prior experiences to what you are doing now. I attended an in-service this morning and one of the topics were effective modifications and accomodations for SPE students. It was presented by the district attorney's and it put into real context what I learned in my ED classes and how it relates to school/district expectations and legal requirements.
I realize that there are many things that the law has in place that favor the teacher's role in learning. The sad part is that teachers are many times under siege for the modifications and accomodations that they create and this causes districts a huge expense from lawsuits. Looking at things from a legal perspective really made me think differently about who is responsible for certain actions form teachers and the administration.
Giving students a voice and creating lessons and activities that will help them think out of the box are important. Let the students think of questions. Let them pick partners. Let the students try out a direction and let them struggle a little bit. You can always jump in with ideas to help them solve their problem. You can re-direct or even advise but don't take over, often teachers take over much too soon. For this to work you have to trust your students. I think that the idea of students “wasting time” in a constructive way is a good idea.
"Wasting time should be part of the school's curriculum. But, what really is wasting time? In the educational sense, it should mean being able to reflect and ponder on any thoughts that may have an impact on one's work. Students and teachers should be allowed to "waste time", that way ccritical thoughts can be captured and utilized in the classroom. In our day and age, everything is rushed. We should allow our students and professionals an opportunity to critically think about what they want to think about. In other word, teachers and students should be allowed time to just ponder and reflect on their thoughts, thereby, giving them an opportunity to effectively respond in the classroom
What I think about rigor/high expectations is setting a bar, then allowing students to gradually work at achieving that goal. Too much focus on standardized test has taken some of the high expetations out of course work. All students are taught to think alike, not figure out how something is done on their own. We, as educators, must re-enforce these expectations, so that students are genuinely learning. I beleieve that a teachert that is force to teach standards is not really teachging, therefore high expectations are taken out of the equation. We must develop a trial and approach to learning, which, in my opinion, is what true learning is.
Response 1
Can Kids Be Taught to Waste Time Consructiveley?
I had to ponder and ask myself if I as an educator could encourage my students to “waste time productively. I thought about it and I came to the conclusion that I could allow my students to waste time productively and it wouldn’t be such a bad thing to do. I had to remind myself that middle school kids can be inundated with the stresses and pressures of life just like adults, so it wouldn’t hurt too veer from the day to day with a little constructive pondering.
One of the things that I like to do when I need a break is sleep. I find that this is the only way that I can actually end up doing nothing but since it wouldn’t look to good with my principal or The Board of Education to tell them that my students are power napping. I will settle for them doing art. But It wouldn’t be a -DO OR DIE IF I DON’T FINISH I’M GONNA’ FAIL project. I would have my students to just sit and Doodle. I find that when I am on a long conversation or conducting business via telephone I Doodle, sometimes it’s good and at other times it’s not. I find that it helps me to pass the time. I feel that I could use Doodling with my students as a means for them to be able to express themselves I would add a twist as my students sit there and do nothing but begin to Doodle I would tell them that they have to incorporate somewhere in their drawing words the describe one of the two questions that I would pose to them. The first question would be “How are you feeling right now?” and the other question would be “What are some of the occupations that you think you would like to do when you grow up?”
My students would not have to answer both questions. The questions would be used as a prompt to get them to thinking about of the little things in life that really matter. Who knows maybe one of my will become a famous artist, doctor or writer because of the words drawn on a piece of paper?
Balance
Over the years as I watched my children be elevated from one grade to the next. I always marveled at their teachers abilities to achieve balance within the classroom year after year. Anyone who is a parent or guardian of any sort knows that it isn’t always easy to achieve balance with kids within the home or the classroom. You end up walking a fine of sanity trying to create a rigorous and high expectant academic environment and nurturing atmosphere where each student can thrive.
Each year I’d watch their rooms transform into a successful, thriving academic arenas. Then I thought to myself how will I have the same success as my kid’s teachers when I begin to teach? Then I began to reason that I will have to take up juggling. If you think about it whenever you go to the circus or if you see street performers juggling you can’t help but stand amazed at the skills at which they are able to keep the balls or whatever they are juggling in the air. One can only imagine the number of man hours spent in practicing the art. It is the ultimate balancing act. Also if they happen to drop a ball the juggler improvises by picking up something else better that will complete the act. If I want to be a successful teacher and bring the balance of rigor and high expectations and nurturing to my classroom I will have to learn to juggle. I will have to learn to juggle the different attitudes. I will have to learn to juggle the different learning styles. I will also have to learn to deal with the different levels at which my kids function. And if I happen to miss something in a certain area then I will have to pick up a different or better idea to complete the act of bringing balance to my classroom.
Blog 3
Obstacles
In this day and age of wealth and advanced technology it is disheartening to look at the many obstacles that face educators and young adults. I often wonder if we are making any progress as a society if the list of obstacles that educators and young adults face is as long or even longer then when I was a kid (huge afros were in style). It appears that not much has changed as far as kids being influenced by peer pressure and or the need to be socially accepted by their peers. (Obstacles that MLE’s face and Obstacles that YA face)
The one thing that I find hard to understand is that out of all of the things that we consider to be problems that are on the list that can be solved, school funding remains. How is it that the ability to fund education in America is still considered an obstacle when we can spend billions of dollars sending a man to the moon not once but on several occasions? How is there is never enough funding available to fund proper after school programs for all kids? But we pay top athletes more money in one year which can be the equivalent to the total budgets of 10 or more schools over a 10 year period? It does not matter if the money comes from the private sector. We as a society have gone completely mad. We rather be entertained than educated. Don’t get me wrong I like to be entertained as much as the next guy but I prefer that my future bus driver, pilot or doctor be able to read and comprehend better than they can bounce, catch or throw a ball. Also I don’t care if there is life in outer space. If there is I am pretty sure they know where we are. The money needs to be allocated for programs that are geared towards teaching kids how to read instead of looking for aliens.
yesenia said...
It is important for students to take time to just relax and ponder about things. This can help them reflect on their day, what they feel they need to work on, or maybe just to sort out some issue they might be going through. The best time to do this I believe is at the end of the day. It would be a good idea to take the last ten minutes and just talk about the day let students express their concerns. This is beneficial to a teacher as well. They can also reflect on their day as well as connect with their students.
October 5, 2011 10:08 PM
yesenia said...
Blog#2
I think it can be difficult to find the right balance between a rigorous and nurturing environment. As a metaphor a bicycle is a great example. In order to ride a bike you need balance, and in order to run a classroom you also need balance. I believe a good way to do this is to have clear expectations for your students. Explain to them that they are expected to do their share of the work. However, at the same time make it clear that if there is ever a problem they can feel free to talk to you about it, and that you do care about their issues.
mnash88 said...
I really never realized how important it is to ponder, until you mentioned it in class and reading this blog. It is important for YA to ponder and for them to wonder about things. I think it was maybe two weeks ago when you asked, "Does anyone have a ponder they would like to share with the classroom?" Of coarse, I wanted to raise my hand, but I did not. I was on the way to school on the train that same day and thought about some things. I have two ponders that I still do not have the answers to. YA need to ponder and reflect on things. If a student is daydreaming, it may not be completely bad. A good way to let students ponder in the classroom is to make a graphic novel like we are in class. It requires our imagination and that is what YA need. We are doing this assignment as adults and I am pretty excited to do it at the age of 23. I think YA would be thrilled to do the assignment as well.
October 12, 2011 1:04 PM
mnash88 said..
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Blog Response Post #2
In order to ride a bicycle, you need balance as well with running a classroom. I will give my students clear expectations and let them know how things will be done and in what routine. If they are struggling with a subject, or a problem with school or home, I want them to know that I am here and open to talk to.
October 12, 2011 1:15 PM
jovaw83 said...
I think that children should be allowed to ponder and reflect during shool time. Sometimes, children need a little "me" time to reflect on what is being asked, and just to escape from the school work. Its like taking a break at work. Teachers need an opportunity to reflect and ponder for the days lesson, too. We all get caught up in our work sometimes, and we all can use a break. Also, this time can be used for assessing children's progress.
October 19, 2011 11:19 AM
jovaw83 said...
Blog Response part 2
i believe that finding that balance between nurting, and being stern is crucial in becoming a successful educator. In my practicum class, I found myself wanting to give the students things that would make them happy:food. I threw two pizza parties, and I brought something with me everyday that I observed that classroom. The supervising teacher informed me that I was being too nice. Naturally, I am a very giving person. But I took the teacher's comment to mean that I have to strike a balance between being nice and steady with the children. Being a teaher, I must remove my feelings sometimes, and let the students blossom on their own, without my constant "gift giving" Honestly, that will be the hard part for me becoming a teacher. I am a givert. I must reate an enviroment where rewards are earned, and not just given away. School is striking that balance between being a parent and being the knowledge giver. Hopefully, further education will enable me to understand that I must guide the students through the education process, and not just reward them for being children.
Part I
I completely agree with the idea of "wasting time" constructively, I think that this is how we get to know ourselves, our values, beliefs, and understand how we’ve grown. Having young adolescents wonder, ponder, and reflect will help them analyze a situation, feeling, or problem. In turn, this will create a better understanding of how they feel and why they feel a certain way about any situation. We as educators can create provocative questions to world problems or something small like a predicament between students. Having students think about their own thoughts is part of helping them grow up as human beings.
Part II Response
When I was in High School, my History teacher always made the students feel they had to do their best. He was a very strict teacher, but at the same time he made us feel confident that we were capable of doing well in his class and if we had a problem, we were always able to go to him. I enjoyed his class very much, and many of my friends felt the same way. I believe that part of achieving this quality is to always be firm and stand your ground with the students, be understanding and always boost the student’s self-esteem by giving them the confidence to have them speak their mind and ask questions. A teacher needs to create an environment of respect, understanding, and responsibility to achieve a balance between rigor, high expectations, and nurturing.
Blog II:
I agree with Ms. Arellano that teachers should create activities that will help students think out of the box. Letting the students think or struggle a little is part of the learning process and part of growing. Guiding the students instead of telling the students how to solve a problem or finish a lesson is important. This is a good way to have children ponder and reflect. Jovaw83 made a good point when she said that, “rigor/high expectations is setting a bar, then allowing students to gradually work at achieving that goal.” It is important that students know and understand what is expected from them, but also know that it takes hard work and dedication to get to that bar and that it is not going to happen from one day to the next, but that it is something that they have to work on.
monygee said...
Response part 2:
Tutoring gives me the freedom to connect my goals to expectations in a very controlled and self-directed manner. I am focusing on what my two students that I tutor can do now. My expectations are high but it is refreshing to see progress whether great or small. When the students realize a breakthrough they have made, engagement becomes a bit easier to maintain. Bob K has some very keen insights on expectations and there are some stark realities that hinder what both educators and students themselves expect. We must help the students realize potential and give them the opportunity to display their intelligence in ways that are comfortable for them.
To monygee: I agree with starting with where your students are now, and making sure that you build from there so that the students are not too overwhelmed, or bored from the work not being rigorous. From there , you challenge tham to rise to the next level over a period of time. Constant praise and academic recognition raises their confidence level that they can achieve what is expected of them.
Post #3
In response to the coments provided ny board members on teaching and learning, I think that it is very important that teachers make the learning experiences meaningful to what the students are going through so they can make connections. I also think that teaching and learning involves developing the young adults physical, social, emotional and intellectual needs(PIES++)and for the teacher making sure that there is differentiated instruction in the classroom.
Blog #4
What Should Be the purpose of Schoool?
I think the purpose of school is a learning community in which students will be provided academically challenging coursework and a chanct to deevelop intellectually, physically, emotionally and in technology for student's to compete in a global society.
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