Time-OUT! (Mk 2:27)

A few weeks ago I made myself an outline of topics I wanted to write about for the next few weeks. My goal was to become more consistent, and to find a rhythm in my posting. I deliberately decided to ignore trickier issues like voice, relevance, and whether or not the world really needs another blogger. I enjoy writing, and I decided that it was my privilege to inflict my opinions on anyone crazy enough to read them. After all, if the title of this blog doesn't say "enter at your own risk," I think you  may want to revisit the definition of "insignificant."

So I have this outline. A to-do list, if you will.

This week was supposed to be about loving what you do. Burning the midnight oil. Having a passion for your job. It seemed like a good fit for a week that included parent-teacher conferences. I even got Jennie to make me some art! (Go, check out her website. She does some cool stuff).

I was right in theory. This week was exhausting. The midnight oil was burnt, refilled, and burnt again. I even wrote two posts about conferences earlier this week, just to vent. (Scroll down, they should be showing).

But now that the week is done, and I've survived, I'm not feeling very passionate about work. In fact, I'm feeling rather drained.

Which could be a problem, since the schedule says to write about passion.
Then again, maybe not. After all, true passion does leave us exhausted. Spent.
Perhaps because we are not able to live very long at that level of intensity. We have to have time to recharge. Reset.

God made us that way. He warned us to make time to rest. He specifically set aside one day in every week for unwinding. He even modeled it for us. "On the seventh day He rested." - Genesis 2:2.

I'm sure there's something God could have been doing that first Sabbath day. Something on His eternal to-do list. Something He could have been tweaking, improving, making better than "good." He did get right back to work on the 8th day, without an alarm clock or snooze alarm (though I'd like to believe He at least had some coffee!), because there was still plenty to be done.

That's the point, really. There's always more to be done. There's a huge gulf between "good enough" and "excellent." As much as I'd like to be excellent, all the time, at everything (and my mom will be happy to tell you I've always been that way), I'm learning that sometimes I have to accept "good enough."

So today's the day I'll rest and reset. I've already gone for a walk. I've read a book. I'm giving myself time and permission to just do whatever I want. Which will probably include folding the laundry and cleaning the kitchen, not because they are on some to-do list, or because they have to be done, but because having things clean and organized makes me feel rested.

Then tomorrow afternoon, when I take out my school-bag, I'll be able to feel the excited anticipation of renewed enthusiasm.

Thank you, Jesus, for reminding me of the real reason for the fourth commandment.

Then He said to them "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath."  -Mk2:27 (NIV)

conferring (part 2)

Well, hello there!

It's been a while since we first met on back-to-school night in August.

A lot has happened in the 11 school-weeks since.

We've worked hard on math, science, social studies, reading, writing, and all that other "stuff" we do each day. I'd love to tell you all about it, but we only have 20 minutes. So I'll spend that time focusing on whatever it is that really stands out for your child.

It might be the way he works so very hard each day. On everything. Neatly. I am so impressed.

It could be the way she seeks out opportunities to apply what were learning to everyday life.

I'm really quite excited about the way he makes connections between our lessons and his tv shows or video games, and I'm likely to tell you about that.  It shows he's listening and thinking!

I might tell you about how she assigns herself extra practice each night in her areas of weakness, and then corrects them herself in the morning. I enjoy the time she and I spend figuring out what kind of mistakes she made, because I know she will not make that same mistake next time.

I am really looking forward to this chance to share how your child welcomed a new student, or helped a struggler, or showed compassion for someone having a bad day.

Of course, it's also possible I may have to share something you don't want to hear.

I know it's hard for you to hear these things about your little angel. I realize it might not be the first time, and that you were hoping this year would be different. I understand. I really don't enjoy those moments, either.
I work very hard with your child to overcome any obstacles to his learning.
If I'm sharing a concern with you, please take me seriously.

When I say he struggles to pay attention, I really mean he needs several reminders per minute to stay on task.

When I say she tends to be a bit social, I mean that she's talking way too much in class. Her behavior is distracting others.

When I say he doesn't handle mistakes well, I mean that when I correct him for anything (behavior or academic) he crosses his arms and sulks, and is then unable to learn anything for the rest of the day.

I know you know exactly what I mean. I've only been working with your child for 11 weeks, after all. You've been there for 11 years.

So help me out. Don't take it personally. It's not about you.
It's about your little darling, and how we can, together, make this a great year!

One quarter down. Three to go. Let's make them count.

conferring (part 1)

Hi.
I'm so glad you could come to our fall conferences. I'm looking forward to this chance to discuss your child's progress in my class this far, and to set some goals for the rest of the year.

I would like to ask you a couple of favors.

1) Please be clear about which of your children we are discussing. That would be the one in my class. I'm sure your older/younger child/children are also cute. You probably have videos on your phone you'd like to share. However, this time is dedicated to one particular child. Let's honor that child with our full attention.

2) When I tell you that your child is giving excellent effort, but is still failing to meet the standard, please believe that I'm not sugar-coating. If junior wasn't giving excellent effort I would tell you. Do not tell him that you expect him to work harder, and to change from D's to A+'s in the next 7 weeks of school.  It's not likely to happen. Instead, let's talk about strategies we can all use to help him be more successful.

2b) Improving those grades will require hard work. There is no getting around it. I will help as much as I can, but you and your child will have to do your part. This may require longer homework/practice time and additional parent involvement. The change you want to see will not happen with LESS work. So please do not ask me to reduce the workload.

3) Math looks different now than it did when we were in school. I'll be happy to explain it to you. I'm not saying it is better this way - or that it was better before. We really don't have time to discuss this. It was not a decision I made.

4) When I tell you your child is struggling with communication...wait! Listen while I explain. I actually mean that she is not writing full answers to questions requiring explanations -in all subjects. I don't mean she interrupts. Sure, she might try to, but I don't tolerate that from my students. Of course, now I see where she gets it!

5) If your child is stressing out about something in my class, please come prepared to tell me. Don't make me drag it out of you. If I don't lead with that, chances are she is putting on a "game face" at school, and I don't see any of that angst. I can't help if I don't know.

6) Remember, I'm staying late for your convenience. Please be on time. Or call if you are delayed.

Thank you,
Your partner in education.

What being a Pirate taught me... (Prov. 2:4)

Last Friday marked the end of the first quarter of the 2012/2013 school year.

My teaching team and I decided to end on a bang.

5 of 7 teachers on my team, pirate-style! #6 was gone, and made it up the day she returned. #7... well...

We set aside the ordinary, and spent the day playing Pirates.

The kids still practiced the skills we've been working on. They reviewed an informational poster about pirates "then and now," and practiced their comparative skills. They read an article about deep-sea archaeology and practiced inferring. They "played" archaeologists and "dove" for artifacts which they used to deduce the origins, destination, and purpose of a ship "Captain Calamity" had sunk. They sequenced. They sorted. They read maps. They looked at slavery as a business, and made judgements. They evaluated risk vs. reward in deciding whether "Pirate Pete" should attack certain vessels. They used SMART cannons to review number-sense. They practiced dividing the booty and dealing with remainders. They explored the way water distorts light.  They dealt with issues of bullying and power; safety and responsibility; character and integrity.

They earned loot.

They laughed.

They had fun.

During our one-day adventure on the high-seas, my students worked harder and probably learned more than they had the rest of the week. And they loved it.

So did I. This is why I got into teaching. Because learning can be fun. Because facts ARE interesting. Because children need to be stretched, to grow and expand their world views, to learn to THINK through situations and actions.

Not to bore kids into submission.

Not to manage tests. 

Not to spend so much time on data collection and analysis that I don't have time to plan.

Not to be buried in unconnected curriculum designed to "help" students meet each of a hundred individual learning targets through "carefully designed, explicit instruction."

People who expect "carefully designed, explicit instruction," to be crafted for each one of the myriad skills students have to master, haven't listened to a child lately. Kids see the world differently. They desperately want things to connect. To make sense. 

Being a pirate for a day taught me that if we really want kids to learn, to enjoy learning, and to leave school with confidence, character, and competency, we may need some pirates to knock us off the course we've been sailing. There's treasure to be found.

Search for wisdom as if it were money. Hunt for it as if it were hidden treasure. Proverbs 2:4

Happy Family-Season (Ps 104:12-13)

My sis took this pic. It's mom's backyard in NH.

September 21 was the official beginning of fall. For me, though, the weekend after Halloween seems like the real change of the seasons. Halloween, with its fairs and festivals, corn mazes and pumpkin patches, bonfires and frightful feasts, seems more like summer's last hurrah.

Now, the trees are shaking off their leaves. The coats, scarves, hats, and boots have been moved out of their hiding spots. Calendars are filling with holiday happenings. 

So, I'm thinking we need to rename the seasons.

Family Season: November & December.

One of my lovely "other" families.
God puts families together.
By birth or by other means.

Dear-old-dad trying to decide where to draw the line between need and want.

That *is* what the holidays are supposed to be about, right? I mean, there are those who would say it's more honest to call it the shopping season, but those people just don't have the right kind of loved ones. This is a great time to be thankful for the blessings we already have, and to make more memories, together!

Celebration Season: June - October.

How can you not celebrate when
there's yummy goodness on the grill?

Vacations. Staycations. Fairs. Festivals. Carnivals. Barbeques. There's just so much to celebrate!

Awakening Season: April & May. 

My sister, again. She does some great stuff with her camera!

Have you ever walked in a garden in the Spring? Or worked with tweens/teens?  Flowers opening to the sun. Tragic mudslides. Beauty and devastation, side by side. Teens and flowers. Yup. Spring.

Quiet Season: January - March. 

January 2012, Steilacoom WA, during the "snowpocalypse."

With just a few tiny exceptions, there's really not much happening at this time of year. We're recovering from the togetherness (and expense) of family season, and preparing for the coming awakening & celebrations. Plus, there's the likelyhood of snow. Hmmm... sounds like a good season for sleeping, reading, and rediscovering yourself. Oh, and the average person lasts until about March (less than 100 days) with their New Year's Resolution. Seems like a good time to change the subject -er- season.

Now that we're on the same page, let me say it again. Welcome to family season. Enjoy this time with family and friends. Celebrate the many ways they make your life richer, better, more fun, more interesting. Whether you are looking at falling leaves or twinkling lights, think of the countless little ways your loved ones make your life more colorful, and count yourself blessed. I know I do.

In the trees near by, the birds make their nests and sing. From the sky you send rain on the hills, and the earth is filled with your blessings.                            --Psalm 104:12-13 GNT