As this tool catches up to what I share with staff, time tables will align more. The context for the Gratitude Walks is to get into classrooms to witness the St. Charles teachers and students in action, in their environment. It is a way for me to connect to how St. Charles does school on many levels. I struggled how to add the past Gratitude Walks. What I decided to do is to post my first experience with the Gratitude Walks from September. For the next one, I will add October and November. The reason I want to share is I want the public to see and read about all the unique learning experiences our students get every week. Enjoy the experience below along with attached images. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving Break:
A goal I laid out for myself was to get into one to two classrooms every week. So far, it has happened.
On September 11th, I got into Mr. Robertson's 6th grade Reading class. As an English teacher, I thought what a unique experience. The first thing I noted about Adam's space is a quote from Tom Brands, head wrestling coach of the Iowa Hawkey's - "The only thing you deserve is what you earn." Now, that is a wrestler's mindset. I was looking forward to seeing how another taught what I felt I mastered - boy, do I have things I can learn from Mr. Robertson. Adam had students reading a short story, "Roar of Lava." The story is great, but what I appreciated so much about what Adam did is he asked kids to read out loud with him. It is such a great strategy as kids can track with an advanced reader while they struggle right along. The other element he used was at certain points, Adam read out loud himself while students tracked along quietly. I always read the early chapters to my juniors and seniors no matter the reading level. I did it to help students feel the rhythm, tone, and vocabulary used by the author while being introduced to key elements - all kids do not admit it but they love being read to. It was just so much fun to watch it happen uniquely at the 6th grade level. The other element he did way better than I ever did was teaching vocabulary: Vocab Slap. He made it a competition to who could align the word and the definition the quickest. Competition is always healthy and this was well done and so much fun to see in action.
And, it was not done. Since it was 9/11, Mr. Robertson invited me to the theatre later in the day to go down the journey that the 6th grade does every 9/11. I got to hear Mrs. Backes and Mrs. Young share their experience on that fateful day. I learned, also, we are about the same age - much older than Mr. Robertson. It is so important to share our stories in connection to unique history. Finally, the last element I will share is the 6th Grade teachers used a very unique video in connection to 9/11 - "Boat Lift." Wow, what a tale. If you are interested, look it up. It is an untold tale of New York boat owners helping those stuck near the Twin Towers escape the island after the Towers fell. I cannot encourage you enough to watch it. Thanks so much 6th Grade teachers.
If you are ever looking for a pick'me up and want to get energized, get in and see Mr. O'Connell's Pep Band class. The first thing he told me was bring ear plugs - I did not, but he was ready for me and supplied them. In one of the photos you will see Garrett standing in front of his screen with a "wheel of songs." He spins this wheel, it stops on the song, and the kids just start "bangin" to tunes like "We Got the Beat," "Fireball," and "Take on Me." Garrett also slipped in a joke to help a student connect to a "high C." What does a pirate hate most? - High C's!!!! Hah, not bad. It's a huge group and all were engaged having a blast - so much enthusiasm and joy. That is a worthy classroom environment. Make an effort to get in and see Mr. O'Connell and his students work. Looking forward to those performances as well.
Finally, Mr. Klein invited me to listen in on a lesson connected to one of my favorite books to teach, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. The attached photo shows Mr. Klein teaching English in a wrestling room. That's a first for me and I love those two activities. Let me share three lessons Mr. Klein shared with his students about love, life, and stress:
Stress is an indicator/marker that you/I care. The question is whether we should care about those things, does that thing really matter. He used cell phones as an example but there are so many other life perceptions that should be looked at through this lens.
What is love? The question is connected to the idea of "self-sacrifice." Do they/you give up something of the "self" for they/you? That's love. This definition definitely connects to the protagonist's journey late in the novel. It also is a powerful reminder in our own relationships.
Is love a feeling or a choice? What a great question to challenge thinking. I will let you all ponder that question just like Mr. Klein's students were pondering.
We are all so blessed to be members of this fantastic, caring place: St. Charles Public Schools. Be grateful and show gratitude - it makes you and those you are sharing your life with so much better.
Have a fantastic weekend. If you are going to the football game tonight, please say hi. I learned almost ten new names of staff this week - I am making progress.
Go Saints!!!
