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Lessons from my middle schoolers
- By God Shops at Target
- Published 01/8/2010
- Changing Behavior
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This is the hardest time of year at school. The newness of the year has worn off, the thrill of the holidays is behind us and all that remains are dead Christmas trees and a vast wasteland of
school, school and more school between now and summer break. It's this time of year I struggle most to keep my 8th graders focused and motivated. Seems when we round the corner of a new year they want out. The fact that more than half of the school year remains is a point lost on them. This year I'm trying something new. Along with the students, we're creating a list of phrases "You can never, ever say in this class." The only off-limit phrases we're including are those which interfere with productivity, learning and self-confidence/motivation. Every day the list grows longer as the kids become more aware of their own negative, self-defeating thinking.
Sitting at my desk at the end of the day today I started reading through the list and was impressed with the high expecations these kids have for themselves in spite of outward appearances. I was also struck by how little changes as we move through life. You can either make excuses or take responsibility and move forward. One of the entries I hear all day long is "I was waiting for you." Rather than solve a problem on their own students wait for the answer - from me, a classmate - anyone rather than do the work themselves. I'm guilty of the same in my own life - I make excuses for not persevering through the task at hand preferring instead shortcuts.
And another, "I'm too stupid." While I teach lower level math students this is just an excuse for not doing the work and ultimately and worse yet, a self-fulfilling prophecy. As frustrated as I get when I hear this in the classroom I realize in some ways I do the same in my own life believing my shortcomings are all that define who I am.
And another, "I'm done." Quality doesn't matter. For these students the goal is to simply be done. Emphasis is not on the process but checking off the box. Going through life checking off the boxes insures we'll get through but at what price? Do we sacrifice quality?
After reading through the list and thinking about my own life I think I may have to make up two posters - one for my classroom and one for home.
school, school and more school between now and summer break. It's this time of year I struggle most to keep my 8th graders focused and motivated. Seems when we round the corner of a new year they want out. The fact that more than half of the school year remains is a point lost on them. This year I'm trying something new. Along with the students, we're creating a list of phrases "You can never, ever say in this class." The only off-limit phrases we're including are those which interfere with productivity, learning and self-confidence/motivation. Every day the list grows longer as the kids become more aware of their own negative, self-defeating thinking.
Sitting at my desk at the end of the day today I started reading through the list and was impressed with the high expecations these kids have for themselves in spite of outward appearances. I was also struck by how little changes as we move through life. You can either make excuses or take responsibility and move forward. One of the entries I hear all day long is "I was waiting for you." Rather than solve a problem on their own students wait for the answer - from me, a classmate - anyone rather than do the work themselves. I'm guilty of the same in my own life - I make excuses for not persevering through the task at hand preferring instead shortcuts.
And another, "I'm too stupid." While I teach lower level math students this is just an excuse for not doing the work and ultimately and worse yet, a self-fulfilling prophecy. As frustrated as I get when I hear this in the classroom I realize in some ways I do the same in my own life believing my shortcomings are all that define who I am.
And another, "I'm done." Quality doesn't matter. For these students the goal is to simply be done. Emphasis is not on the process but checking off the box. Going through life checking off the boxes insures we'll get through but at what price? Do we sacrifice quality?
After reading through the list and thinking about my own life I think I may have to make up two posters - one for my classroom and one for home.
