More Slow-More Learning

The Tuesday Slice of Life is hosted by Ruth and Stacey at Two Writing Teachers.  Go look, read, and reflect!









Yesterday I wrote my post about books read last week, including this in an introduction to a new picture book shared by a friend and colleague:  One of my colleagues has chosen to do a 'food' year with her primary students. They will study gardens, growing in the wild, different cultures, cooking, and any other topic connected to food. We share many picture books and I count it as a pleasure whenever I can find a book about food that she doesn't know. I learn a lot from her about books, but also about teaching the youngest students in our school.  I am always grateful when I talk with her because she shows such intention in her teaching.  Each thing she does has a reason to "be" in her classroom and in her work with students. My talks with her make me think about my own ideas, enhance them and sometimes change them.  

      Some time in the past I wrote a post titled "good teaching is a conversation".   I have the pleasure of many conversations with colleagues because that is my job, and I end my days reflecting on those words, taking notes on the learning that I've done just through the talk.    
      While considering these ideas, it is my hope that as much as possible, everyone will take the time to slow down and talk with colleagues, ones next door and those on the other sides of your buildings.  Sharing teaching ideas, reasons why, good parts and not so good are ways we can grow in our teaching without spending one dime on workshops or professional books, although those are of value too.  The professionals, remember, are right there in the building with you. Please take time to experience some of those slices-of-life conversations I'm describing.
 
photo credit: mrsdkrebs via photopin cc

Saturday Conference

March 5, 2011 - Day Five of SOLC

I was in a local conference all day, & have done a lot of listening & talking. This particular conference was created by a few people from local schools, both public & private, to begin the talk about diversity issues, certainly those in our schools, but also in the wider world. I is called C.I.R.C.L.E. (connecting inclusive responsive communities leading education), & is in its third year of being. Different schools take turns hosting the event.

It's both an exhilarating and frustrating day, filled with ideas, confirmation of goals, & definitions of the reality of some people's experiences that are not always positive. One group's session that was especially motivating was the "white allies" group. To be an ally was defined as being a friend or mentor with courage. Most in the group have discussed and chosen to be an ally at one time or another because of personal convictions. This group had more to share, however, about feeling alone in other groups at times, about students' stories (confidences) of being excluded, about those who had made commitments to speaking out for change in their schools. It was a slice of life for me to join others in talking about this topic so often ignored in our public & professional lives. I do think that, to paraphrase an old bromide, we have now talked the talk, I hope we're ready again to walk the walk.

Thursday Is Breakfast

It's March 3rd, third day of SOLSC!

In this 21st century, we connect with others across cultures & countries via the internet, forming interesting & valuable relationships without hearing the human voice, seeing the facial expressions. This is indeed a relationship of words. Even in my school, we are increasingly communicating (at least when the need is brief) by e-mail instead of walking down the hall to say "hello, let’s chat". So-in my school we have a tradition that we take turns feeding each other breakfast on Thursday mornings. It is a feeling of gratification to plan food for one’s colleagues. As we move through the year, food personalities emerge. One person takes time to prepare bowls of pancake batter & personally stands for an hour, serving hot cakes to us, adding blueberries or strawberries, whipped cream, butter & maple syrup. Another says she’s switched her plan because on a cold winter’s day, she instead prepares an enormous pot of oatmeal with brown sugar, served with mugs of cocoa. The talk is congenial, not necessarily about teaching, but about each other. “How is your son”, one staff member is asked about a son who is a new freshman in college. The question also means “How are you doing?” Queries showing interest abound, filling the room with collegial conversations between those who know each other-families, children, parents, pets, cars, trips, in-laws-topics of our lives. We all want to show we care. Warm food says that, but more lasting--warm conversation.