The Power of Our Words

Recess is something I remember very little about as a child. I know I ran around a lot. Kickball was the cool game. We also played on the playground. Two of my classmates got married under the slide. Other than that, it is a blur. This morning I reminded students this is their last year of recess and should enjoy it.

I reminded them there is no Vince Lombardi trophy for recess. I asked if there were medals and awards for being King and Queen of Recess. Students simply said No. We talked about competition on the playground and a healthy amount is good, but if you feel yourself getting frustrated or angry then walk away. Calling each other names out there has been happening and feelings get hurt. Students admitted that calling each other names is more a sign of being frustrated rather than intending to hurt feelings. We all know words can hurt. Some of us carry those words with us through high school and beyond.

Students and I discussed what you could do if you said something hurtful and realized what came out of your mouth after the words escaped. A simple I’m sorry or I did not mean that can go a long way even if you realize it later in your day.

I then transitioned into what I like to call the "JK Phenomena" or Just Kidding! Several students will talk to peers or siblings either nicely or not so nice and follow it up with "Just kidding." This in turn hurts others, even if our perception is that it is funny or a way to say something without dealing with a consequence of our words because we were only "just kidding." It also means we do not have to take responsibility for our words. Most agents honestly admitted to doing this or it has happened to them and shared when they do not take responsibility the consequences can be much worse. I hope students begin to realize the power of their words.

A few years ago a student had once told me how online joking is worse as and I quote "there is no font for sarcasm." Brilliantly said as it is so true. I encourage you to continue the conversation about this at home because once you put something in writing it is now evidence of your words. As they head to QMS this is a HUGE lesson to learn. Middle school can be like navigating through murky water. 

The Google Home Policy Epiphany

One of the burning questions people asked me this summer was What are you going to do with the Google Home next fall? Last year my class spent a considerable amount of time creating a Responsible Use Policy for our Google Home based off the district Responsible Use Policy. They also created class guidelines to go along with the policy. The rich conversations around policy and educational technology from 5^th graders were impressive. I had not thought about the best way to approach the Google Home in the fall when the question was originally posed.

One night this summer I was having a conversation with a friend about policy and the importance of reading it and staying updated when I had an epiphany. Schools do not rewrite policy from the ground up once they are written. They revise them every year. Policy work is fluid. It can be changed when the governing group feels it needs to be altered, adapted, adjusted, etc.

This morning I introduced my 5^th graders to the idea of policy. We Googled the word and discussed its definition. Then we delved into the district’s policy, highlighting and discussing important points. Students asked how they can harass and stalk online, which is a great question since those are words students might be unfamiliar with.

We transitioned to the Google Home work students completed last year. We learned about the Google Home, its features, and how and why we will use it in our class. Students then took a look at the policy and guidelines written last year for it and had an opportunity to make revisions. They only asked that we add to unplug it when done using it since it records everything, and we want to protect our privacy rights.

Students then had an opportunity to try out the Google Home, asking it questions. Students wanted to know the highest mountain in the world, the tallest person and shortest person’s height, information about light particles, and who will win the Super Bowl. The Google Home continues to be part of our classroom culture, and I cannot wait to see how students use this as a tool to enhance their learning.

Formerly Known as the Teacher's Desk

For years I have barely used the desk that students would call my teacher’s desk. I wondered what it would be like to have all that space back if I removed it; however, this was a topic I was not ready to broach with administration. I thought about other purposes for the desk and realized it is just another work space for a child.

It could be a standing desk for six kids should they want to gather around it. The large flat surface has a lot of potential, and students might see it as an opportunity to learn and work there rather than the vast wasteland it had become.

I knew I had to shift the language and culture around the new classroom table that was formerly known as the teacher desk. On the first day of school I placed my laptop on the kidney table in the center of our room, another furniture shift I made this summer. When students asked if they should put papers on my desk I simply replied, “Oh see the envelope on our classroom table by the back door, just put your papers in there.” I try to refer to everything as ours. I could see the gears turning in this child’s mind.

I let students know that was our work space that was formerly known as the teacher desk. They could use it. In the two days we have been in school I have yet to sit in that space. Several students have read there, drawn their visual learning selfies, or quietly reflected on class discussions.

They take a sense of pride sitting there and see it as just another table in our classroom space for them to utilize to be successful. Our new table, formerly known as the teacher’s desk, has been revitalized into a space for students. I sit with students’ at desks or tables around the room talking, growing, and learning.

I still wonder what I could do with the space should the desk ever be allowed to leave, but for now it serves a purpose that works for us all.  

Giving Parents a Lens into the Classroom

I believe it is important to invite parents into the classroom. With the use of email and hyperlinks they have a lens now that I could not have given when I first started teaching 19 years ago! I try to share things to help parents guide the conversations at home with students. Instead of asking "How was your day?" parents can now ask "I heard you have snack time whenever you want. How do you feel about that?" 

My day one email looks like this: 

Students came in and learned how we greet each other in this class. Teaching students how to shake hands and make an entrance each morning builds confidence. Students received agent numbers, received a certificate and the secret agent creed, and read a letter from me. All of these things will be coming home in your child's backpack so make sure to look out for them!

You  might hear we have some privileges ! I went over our guidelines and privileges with the students. View the presentation here! (If your agent was not here today he or she should look over this presentation.) Students can go to the bathroom when they would like. I just ask that he or she puts a pass on his or desk. If someone already has the pass he or she just needs to let me know. Agents can sit where they choose throughout the day. Got some fist pumps for that. We allow gum chewing and music, with some stipulations. Students are also able to check one book out of our classroom library at a time to bring home. There is also no assigned snack time. Students can choose when they want to eat. We also have a microwave to heat things up (just not popcorn). I try to create a close to real world environment as possible in here, removing the 4 walls. The globe is our classroom! I did let students know these are all privileges that if taken advantage of we lose for a day. They seemed to think all of this was fair. 

We received our materials, read The Gas We Pass and Everybody Poops and discussed social etiquette around this, and shared how we learn best through visual selfies on paper Instagram templates.  We ended our day learning about our Appreciation, Apology, and A-HA time. 

I hope your agent comes home excited about the year ahead of him or her. 

Thanks to those of you who filled out the few Google Forms I had sent out prior to school starting. For those of you who need the links again:

Birthday Book Celebration

Getting to Know You

Class Friendship Book 

Voluntary: 

RSVP for parent trainings 

If you are looking for a great way to kick off the first day, I highly suggest a play doh activity. Thanks to Heather Marshall for that spark! 

This took 15 minutes to write and makes the world of difference to a child's home life. I encourage you all to give parents a lens into your classroom!