Well–ready or not, school will be starting soon, For some, it’s already has started. My first day of classes is next Wednesday. Many colleges, like mine, are in session for 3 months and then adjourn at Thanksgiving and then resume in January. It’ll be the longest winter break that I’ve ever experienced. That part sounds pretty awesome.
If you’re like me, the idea of jumping back in the saddle comes with mixed feelings. I’m glad I’m returning, but I haven’t been physically in front of students for months. I’m looking forward to it, but there’s a tinge of, Can I still do this? I imagine I’m not alone in this emotion. My prediction is that vast majority of us will feel thrilled to be back in our natural habitat.
On a TYPICAL 1st day of school, educators often incorporate some type of prompt which challenges students to reflect on their summer vacation. This year won’t be a typical 1st day of school.
If students reflect on the last few months, they may come up with some pretty negative stuff:
My grandmother passed.
My dad lost his job.
I lost my track season last spring.
How about a prompt that challenges students to take inventory of growth? Perhaps, you could prime the pump by describing a way that you evolved during this dreadful pandemic:
My wife and I became closer.
I got in great shape.
I tried an number of new recipes many of which I loved.
Certainly don’t force optimism in your students. If some have experienced nightmares, don’t stifle that expression. But also encourage optimism.
I love the image below of the boxwoods in front of my house. They were getting huge so a few weeks ago I pruned them–significantly. Guess what. That was traumatic for them. I thought I’d overdone it. But check them out now. They’re bouncing back with vigor and will soon create a more attractive lush boxwood hedge! Challenge your students to inventory their potential. How did they grow over this pandemic?
When I was writing Teaching in Magenta, I crafted Path 40 for readers experiencing challenges.
Path 40: Take Inventory
Most days, both positive and negative things happen to you. Acknowledging that simple phenomenon is an important step. Unfortunately, negative experiences seem to deliver more impact. It could be a confrontation, or a critical comment from a student, a parent, or your principal. Or, it could be something more nuanced, such as you having had high hopes for a lesson that didn’t end up engaging your kids. Regardless, I’ll wager that many subtle positives materialize during the day that you don’t fully acknowledge. Today, take stock of the colleague who asks about your family, the student who completes her assignment for the first time in weeks, and the kid who you thought didn’t like you that gave you a smile. If you do this regularly, you just might find yourself smiling more often as well.
I wrote Path 40 in 2019, long before I’d heard the word COVID. I had no idea then what 2020 would bring. But I knew then and I know now that challenging days are in my future. Just like my poor boxwoods that I almost left for dead, but are returning like champions.
How have you grown during this pandemic? If you’re willing to share how you’ve grown, or perhaps how you’ll coax students to share, hop over to the Magenta Teacher Community and lets us know what you’re up to!
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