Even in our close quarters the students are becoming open about feelings, troubles, weaknesses, and successes. I wish I could schedule a time of the day to talk simply about "student issues." One of my students who inspired this project is mentally challenged has taught me students the meaning of being an unconditional friend. Therefore, as we venture through this project and the students are able to witness first hand how helping someone simply for the sake of helping someone and doing something nice. The students are becoming aware of the feeling of accomplishment, accommodation, and fullfillment as they do as good deed for someone. They are also experiencing the comfort in receiving good deeds from fellow students.
The students overall classroom behavior is improving, well, other than the talking during class. But they are all trying to work together. In a way, the talking in class is part of the coming together process because they are verbalizing more feelings rather than withholding and becoming angry with themselves and others in the class. For me as a teacher, I have to concentrate on becoming more tolerant of the talking because as they say, "I can not have my cake and eat it too!" I can not encourage the students to work together and keep a quiet classroom. They must be able to talk and communicate with each other. I am appreciating the conversations occurring amongst the students discussing the good deeds they are doing for each other and for family members at home.
I am truly enjoying the conversations of how my students are helping younger brothers, sisters, cousins, friends, and/or students. I am seeing and hearing a great deal of how the students are assisting students at school. For example, "helping a student complete an Accelerated Reader test in the library." The students are having the younger students read to them so they can enhance their fluency skills. My students have also disclosed helping the younger students at home from tasks as easy as tying shoes to working on multiplication facts.
Again, I hate to cut this short the doctor is one is way into the room. I will continue....
It's great they are learning the valuable of helping each other without receiving something in return. I'm working on this with kindergarteners also in regards to the character bracelets that we give out. Many of them are realizing that you should help someone or be kind to them because its the right thing to do however there are few who haven't quite caught on but what can I say they are 5 and will eventually get it!
ReplyDeleteHilary... let's hope they get... I have some tough battles with the students as far as doing nice things for others! HAHAHAHAHA!!!
ReplyDeleteI had absolutely the best compliment EVER from one of my students today! I see the relationship growth in the students/student relationship and the teacher/student relationship!
ReplyDeleteThis afternoon my class and I were having a conversation. We were discussing the differences in people around the school and how the personalities affect others throughout the day! Well, one of my students was comparing me to another 6th grade teacher. He said, "Mrs. Palmer, it's like you are a tree and we are the coconuts. So when we fall (make a mistake) you pick us up and put us back on the tree. But, when _________________ sees us fall, he does not pick us up.... he really pushes us further down!" I could have cried right then and there.
So I have to accept the talking, which takes place during my class as a good form of communication and not a disruption. There is absolute organized chaos in our classroom. I am learning to look at as the children are learning life skills and will be well adjusted as they continue their education. YIKES!!!!!