This past week, the Teacher Cadets have worked on a few "get-to-know-you's" under the disguise of Welcome Back activities. During one of these such events for the BHS faculty during our in-service days, Arkansas' Teacher of the Year Randi House encouraged all teachers to take ten days and do just that...get to know students. Later, that day Mr. Campbell supported that thought...just with fewer days. I agree...especially at the high school level. Why all this emphasis, though, on such activities?
Taking the time to chat and listen and engage allows greater opportunities to get to know one another. Many educational leaders argue that this should be the primary purpose of all teachers. Hummm...I do agree...(to some extent...more about this later), for teachers do impact lives, often becoming the person/role needed in a student's life. For instance, just this week, I heard a student say about her third grade teacher, "She was my mom when I did not have one." Ahhhhh...that is inspiring. Truly.
Another reason for such activities...one I have never heard mentioned...is that students need to know one another and make connections with each other's backgrounds. These conversations may be the beginning of a friendship that will develop throughout the year. If nothing else, empathy...sometimes sympathy...may increase as students share the good...and the bad...and ugly...about their "real" lives outside the walls of this institution called Batesville High School.
Of all the activities, two have tied for my attention over the last week: the Appositive Poems with my English classes and Life in a Bag. (Or, at least thus far...as we have more scheduled for class tomorrow!) Through these small glimpses into their lives, I begin the journey...sometimes a roller coaster ride!...to getting to know each of my students. More than just their names...why they are who they are. Always interesting. Always a journey.
So...ten days? Less? The message remains: time spent getting to know your students is valuable...and a lesson I am still learning (yes, here in year 28!), for as a secondary teacher, I tend to want to dive into the curriculum areas I love and allow those discussions to start that way. But. I am still learning...to slow down...and chat...and listen...for I do believe the payouts will be beneficial.
Soooo....
Hello. How are you? Which "Get-to-Know-You" have you most enjoyed...either in this class or in another...?
Hello ladies! Personally, I am already loving the Life in a Bag we have been working on. I have never really had the opportunity to just put my life in a nutshell like this. I almost see it as looking at the big picture that is me... the big, outrageous, dramatic picture of my story.
ReplyDeleteAnd on that "note"...good luck!
DeleteI haven't had the chance to tell my life through an activity like this either. I think it's good to have the opportunity to do this because sometimes it feels good to just talk about everything in your life.
DeleteI can't wait to read your book and learn more about you!
DeleteI have enjoyed the Life in a bag so far. I haven't completed it, but I can't wait to get started on the decoration process! I've thought everything out, and I think I am really going to enjoy making it. Another activity I enjoyed was Amber's spaghetti noodle and marshmallow activity. It didn't take much time, it was fun, and it made you think a little bit.
ReplyDeleteAnd the activity was edible! Kids LOVE food!
DeleteI agree with both of you. I enjoyed the activity... and the marshmallows. :D
DeleteThanks girl! I can't wait to see what your book looks like. Your artisticness inspires me! I wish I could be as good at artsy things as you!
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ReplyDeleteI am doing good :) I have loved doing our own getting to know you/back to school activities. It let's us see what it's like on the teachers side and it helps us get to know each other better.
ReplyDeleteGood job! Thanks for the marshmallows!
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