Today I
came home from school grouchy. There wasn’t one thing that
made my mood turn sour – but wow, it was there - watch out. I didn’t have
patience, I had a headache, I despaired for my profession, etc. Luke asked me
for help with his homework, which he never does, and I had an attitude problem.
Deep breaths were taken.
And then I went on Facebook and read an amazing post from Kylene Beers. Here is a link to it on her blog. (HERE)
My
favorite passage is the second to last paragraph – Kylene talks about that a
test score is more than just a test score. That the purpose of education is
more than preparing children for college but also helping them develop to their
fullest potential. So they can be a contributing part of our society.
I don’t
think we talk about this enough – why do we have school? What is the purpose of
education? I know that in the past I have fallen victim to the idea that I
should teach the “way” to answer our reading extended responses. And then one
day I stopped to think about it. What is the purpose? They might get a “4” on
the score, but what have I taught them? That the only way to respond to what we
read is with a certain set of steps? I just can’t do that to them.
I read more and more about how to “teach test prep.” Schools are giving up weeks, months, heck – the entire year to prep. The almighty score has become critical for so many. I count myself fortunate that I am not required to do this. I am welcome to do test prep in my classroom but it is my choice as to when and how much, if any.
And so this year I have watched my students. When responding in writing to a story or article I have taught them one simple direction. Put down your pencil. Think. What is the question asking? All too often they rush in, wanting to summarize, when really the question asked for something else. Beyond that we’ve just discussed what good writing entails. This might not help them in the world of standardized test but I know it will help them in life.
As I
watch my students I despair at times that we’ve lost sight of what is
important. I teach eleven-year-old kids. Kids! They should be having fun,
enjoying recess, goofing off with their friends, figuring out who they are and
who they want to be. This is what I need to put front and center.
Kylene
ended her post with this paragraph:
This Lent, I want to
give up pessimism and take on optimism; I want to give up fear and take on
hope. I want to look at each child in each class I teach as that kid who wants
to be his best but just might be too hungry or too scared or to beaten by life
to know how to get there and see not a sullen face, but one that if I can teach
him to take on rather than give up will find that spring is full of hope
indeed.
So for me
I am going to choose to change my attitude – today and everyday that I get
down. To remember what is important. To help these kids find the joy of
learning. To let them know that I see them. I am going to let the other “stuff”
that seems to be crowding the climate of education fade away and I am going to
focus on the reason I am here teaching. I have sixty-eight faces I cannot wait
to see tomorrow morning and everything else needs to get out of the way.
