Hey J,
Today, I'm re-reading Rilke ("Letters to a Young Poet", Rainer Maria Rilke), and thinking about calling. Thinking about some of the ways we live our calling, in the midst of the press of daily details. Starting with looking, a bit, at intention.
You know we have to write formal goals for each school year--within the expected parameters: specific objective, sequential action steps, measurable outcome--all of that.
Fine. Useful, even (sometimes). But that's not what I'm thinking about right now.
I'm wondering what my intentions are, each day, as I work with a hundred or so young, impressionable minds and spirits.
What is the one thing I hope we learn, today?
What is the one activity I hope we can create together, successfully?
In what practical ways can I show my students that they are important--not just to me, but to the world?
What would help me to be a better listener today?
How can we work together to create beauty in this day
What needs to happen so that we can have fun while working on learning--so that the 'joy comes from doing it well'?
I'm thinking this list could be many times longer, easily---and probably should be many times shorter (not so easily), so as to focus on what's truly our intention.
Perhaps time will help me to hear the questions more clearly.
Time to, as Rilke says, 'live the questions'.
Perhaps I need time to hear the answers: "answers which only your innermost feeling in your quietest hour can perhaps give you' (Rilke, "Letters to a Young Poet", p. 12).
What do you think, J? Where are we going, and how do we wish to get there? What is our intention? Lots to think about here.
And more, later.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Time to eat
Hey J,
Rushing. We're always rushing.
No wonder our kids have such shallow learning--being educated at school is a lot like eating at fast food places. It's difficult to get food cooked to order, to suit one person's individual nutritional needs, at a drive-through. Eating that kind of food is not a slow-paced pleasure: no time to soak in the taste or the nutrients, no time for relaxed conversations and communication over dinner.
As a society, we rush our children through their meals, through their play, through their learning. We're asking our kids to grow at a pace which suits the needs of the adults--not at the speed of true learning. We crowd their days with fast food.
It's frustrating, J. Hard to change, even when the need to do so is clear-----because there's so much to cover, and just not enough time.
I know what you're going to say. "Slow down the pace, anyway. Work on what's there, in the moment, one child at a time."
You're right....but the noise and clamor of testing and politics and reports and big business textbook interests and and and and....all of that crowds the classroom like anxious customers crowd the front counter at a bigbox fast food place.
It's noisy, and everyone is in a rush. Too much. Too much of everything....except time and quiet.
No answers today, J. Just thinking about how to feed our kids real meals that will nourish their hearts, minds, and bodies--at a pace which will truly allow them to absorb it all and grow, as they are meant to do.
more later.
Rushing. We're always rushing.
No wonder our kids have such shallow learning--being educated at school is a lot like eating at fast food places. It's difficult to get food cooked to order, to suit one person's individual nutritional needs, at a drive-through. Eating that kind of food is not a slow-paced pleasure: no time to soak in the taste or the nutrients, no time for relaxed conversations and communication over dinner.
As a society, we rush our children through their meals, through their play, through their learning. We're asking our kids to grow at a pace which suits the needs of the adults--not at the speed of true learning. We crowd their days with fast food.
It's frustrating, J. Hard to change, even when the need to do so is clear-----because there's so much to cover, and just not enough time.
I know what you're going to say. "Slow down the pace, anyway. Work on what's there, in the moment, one child at a time."
You're right....but the noise and clamor of testing and politics and reports and big business textbook interests and and and and....all of that crowds the classroom like anxious customers crowd the front counter at a bigbox fast food place.
It's noisy, and everyone is in a rush. Too much. Too much of everything....except time and quiet.
No answers today, J. Just thinking about how to feed our kids real meals that will nourish their hearts, minds, and bodies--at a pace which will truly allow them to absorb it all and grow, as they are meant to do.
more later.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Thinking about Quitting
Hey J,
So today was easily one of my most difficult days in a lifetime of teaching.
Why? Why is it, that a challenge which should be met with energy and thoughtfulness, becomes instead an impasse, a barrier, a castle wall that feels too high to climb over--and for which there seems to be no drawbridge?
I'm reminded of fairytales and folk stories---facing the dragons, figuring out the password, finding the hidden treasures.
Teaching is a lot like living in those hero/adventure stories. It is a daily story---one which involves joy, delight, and deep responsibility.
What an incredible gift we, as teachers, have been given: to be able to use everything we've got, in work which directly impacts the stories of children's lives.
And on the days like today, J? The times when I seem to spend most of the day trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong, and how I can do things better? Days when everything seems to go wrong, and I struggle to stay upbeat?
Those kinds of days are hard. (Good thing they're infrequent!) Still, I thought a lot about quitting, today.
Decided that yes: I am going to quit.
Quit worrying about results, and focus only on process.
Quit thinking about what could happen, and focus on what IS happening.
Quit rushing kids--and myself!--through activities, and allow for some rich 'steeping' time.
It is hard. It is challenging. And I am grateful to be one of the storytellers.
more, later.
So today was easily one of my most difficult days in a lifetime of teaching.
Why? Why is it, that a challenge which should be met with energy and thoughtfulness, becomes instead an impasse, a barrier, a castle wall that feels too high to climb over--and for which there seems to be no drawbridge?
I'm reminded of fairytales and folk stories---facing the dragons, figuring out the password, finding the hidden treasures.
Teaching is a lot like living in those hero/adventure stories. It is a daily story---one which involves joy, delight, and deep responsibility.
What an incredible gift we, as teachers, have been given: to be able to use everything we've got, in work which directly impacts the stories of children's lives.
And on the days like today, J? The times when I seem to spend most of the day trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong, and how I can do things better? Days when everything seems to go wrong, and I struggle to stay upbeat?
Those kinds of days are hard. (Good thing they're infrequent!) Still, I thought a lot about quitting, today.
Decided that yes: I am going to quit.
Quit worrying about results, and focus only on process.
Quit thinking about what could happen, and focus on what IS happening.
Quit rushing kids--and myself!--through activities, and allow for some rich 'steeping' time.
It is hard. It is challenging. And I am grateful to be one of the storytellers.
more, later.
Sunday, November 15, 2009
So what is most important?
Hey, J--
Can we talk for a minute about what's most important? I have ideas, but not answers--and I'd like to hear what you think. How about it?
Been thinking about how much time we spend, worrying over test scores and pondering big budget issues. Trying to figure out how to use the ponderous textbooks: those one-size-doesn't-fit-us packets of learning which talk big and deliver small.
Thinking about the food we offer to kids at school: heavily processed food that's laced with sweeteners.
Noticing how closely the decline in play time correlates with the decline in attention span.
What do we do, J?
Work harder?
Most teachers--at least at my school, which is one of the best I've been at-- --most of our staff care deeply about each child.
Most already spend many hours in preparation: 7AM until 5pm is the norm....with many staying even later or coming in on the weekends, working to have the materials ready and the myriad details smoothed out, so that each day will hold solid learning and also fun, for our kids.
Fun for the staff, too: this is a labor of love, if ever there was one.
So what's the answer, J?
How in the world do we address the quickly multiplying needs of our kids? How do we feed them meals for the mind and nourishment for the body, which will encourage and sustain their growth?
It feels overwhelming sometimes. The odd thing is, all of that extra time--time spent worrying, time spent working longer hours--it doesn't seem to be the key. Sometimes, I'm wondering if the secret is something else entirely.
It gets frustrating sometimes.
OK, J. I hear you: I should try following Maria Rainer Rilke's advice--"live the questions and the answers will follow".
One day, one child, one song, one story, one science experiment: one thing at a time.
Be present now, and focus on pursuing excellence, in that moment and in that activity. For those children.
For all of us.
OK. I'll try. ---Thanks, J.------
More, later.
Can we talk for a minute about what's most important? I have ideas, but not answers--and I'd like to hear what you think. How about it?
Been thinking about how much time we spend, worrying over test scores and pondering big budget issues. Trying to figure out how to use the ponderous textbooks: those one-size-doesn't-fit-us packets of learning which talk big and deliver small.
Thinking about the food we offer to kids at school: heavily processed food that's laced with sweeteners.
Noticing how closely the decline in play time correlates with the decline in attention span.
What do we do, J?
Work harder?
Most teachers--at least at my school, which is one of the best I've been at-- --most of our staff care deeply about each child.
Most already spend many hours in preparation: 7AM until 5pm is the norm....with many staying even later or coming in on the weekends, working to have the materials ready and the myriad details smoothed out, so that each day will hold solid learning and also fun, for our kids.
Fun for the staff, too: this is a labor of love, if ever there was one.
So what's the answer, J?
How in the world do we address the quickly multiplying needs of our kids? How do we feed them meals for the mind and nourishment for the body, which will encourage and sustain their growth?
It feels overwhelming sometimes. The odd thing is, all of that extra time--time spent worrying, time spent working longer hours--it doesn't seem to be the key. Sometimes, I'm wondering if the secret is something else entirely.
It gets frustrating sometimes.
OK, J. I hear you: I should try following Maria Rainer Rilke's advice--"live the questions and the answers will follow".
One day, one child, one song, one story, one science experiment: one thing at a time.
Be present now, and focus on pursuing excellence, in that moment and in that activity. For those children.
For all of us.
OK. I'll try. ---Thanks, J.------
More, later.
Friday, November 13, 2009
Is it real?
Dear J,
So today, Mrs. Turkey came to Kindergarten Music class.
(She apparently does not realize she's a puppet. Or that she's not an elderly English lady.)
Me: Mrs. Turkey, why are you hiding your head?
Mrs. T: Oh, oh, oh! Don't you know it's only two weeks until my special day? I'm getting my beauty rest!
Me: Uh, Mrs. Turkey, do you know why your day is so special?
Mrs. T: Oh, yes! It's when everyone admires ME, because I'm so bee-YOU--ti--ful!
At this point, the kids could barely contain themselves. Their voices scrambled all over each other, trying to set poor Mrs. Turkey straight about what 'really' happens on Thanksgiving Day.
At the end of class, one boy came close to my seat. We'll call him Jon.
Jon: Missus N, maybe Missus Turkey wants to come to our house for Thanksgiving.
Me: Hmm. Why would that be, Jon?
Jon: We do not eat turkeys at our house.
Me: You don't? What do you eat instead?
Jon: Tofu turkeys.
Me: Oh. I guess that might make Mrs. Turkey much more comfortable.
Jon: I like her. She probably would like me best.
Me: Maybe so, Jon. We'll ask her about that, next class, OK? She's sleeping right now.
Jon: OK.
Started me thinking once again, J, about the line between 'real' and 'play', and how often truth winds its way between the two.
Children are naturals at this. They live in both worlds so easily, often simultaneously. It's part of what makes teaching so fun---telling stories, talking to puppets, singing songs that are juicy with rich words and storylines.
When I engage kids directly, when I'm in the game with them, everything comes alive.
When we're all playing, the learning becomes real.
Not sure where that's headed, J. Just thinking about it some more today.
Makes me wonder why we spend so much money and time and effort, as a society, on standardized tests and mechanized assessments, when what our kids need is more time to play.
More time to discover the outdoors, that natural classroom, and create songs, and read stories--- to help them find their way in life.
Stories and songs and nature: play, that's alive, that provides kids with the strengths and skills they need in the real world.
Sometimes, the 'real' world and 'play' are the very same thing.
Just thinking.
more later.
So today, Mrs. Turkey came to Kindergarten Music class.
(She apparently does not realize she's a puppet. Or that she's not an elderly English lady.)
Me: Mrs. Turkey, why are you hiding your head?
Mrs. T: Oh, oh, oh! Don't you know it's only two weeks until my special day? I'm getting my beauty rest!
Me: Uh, Mrs. Turkey, do you know why your day is so special?
Mrs. T: Oh, yes! It's when everyone admires ME, because I'm so bee-YOU--ti--ful!
At this point, the kids could barely contain themselves. Their voices scrambled all over each other, trying to set poor Mrs. Turkey straight about what 'really' happens on Thanksgiving Day.
At the end of class, one boy came close to my seat. We'll call him Jon.
Jon: Missus N, maybe Missus Turkey wants to come to our house for Thanksgiving.
Me: Hmm. Why would that be, Jon?
Jon: We do not eat turkeys at our house.
Me: You don't? What do you eat instead?
Jon: Tofu turkeys.
Me: Oh. I guess that might make Mrs. Turkey much more comfortable.
Jon: I like her. She probably would like me best.
Me: Maybe so, Jon. We'll ask her about that, next class, OK? She's sleeping right now.
Jon: OK.
Started me thinking once again, J, about the line between 'real' and 'play', and how often truth winds its way between the two.
Children are naturals at this. They live in both worlds so easily, often simultaneously. It's part of what makes teaching so fun---telling stories, talking to puppets, singing songs that are juicy with rich words and storylines.
When I engage kids directly, when I'm in the game with them, everything comes alive.
When we're all playing, the learning becomes real.
Not sure where that's headed, J. Just thinking about it some more today.
Makes me wonder why we spend so much money and time and effort, as a society, on standardized tests and mechanized assessments, when what our kids need is more time to play.
More time to discover the outdoors, that natural classroom, and create songs, and read stories--- to help them find their way in life.
Stories and songs and nature: play, that's alive, that provides kids with the strengths and skills they need in the real world.
Sometimes, the 'real' world and 'play' are the very same thing.
Just thinking.
more later.
Friday, November 6, 2009
dancing during class
Hey, J--
You know how much I love to dance with you. Even when the music is blazingly fast, we ride in the center of it. Listening to the music, listening to each other, listening to the dance.
Been thinking lately about how much that mirrors teaching.
My classroom is often like a crowded dance floor: lots of motion, crowded with chatter, liveliness and fun. Sometimes it can be difficult to listen to the music in the midst of all of that---the music of children's lives, children's thinking patterns, children's minds opening and growing. For that matter---listening to all of that for the grownups, too.
We're all caught up in the bustle.
Seems to me that there's a lot of joy in learning to ride in the center of all of that---learning to listen, learning to respond to the people, to the materials, to the music. Learning the steps of the dance, then letting the steps melt into response.
Dancing. Teaching. Life.
It's all about listening, isn't it, J? All about being in the moment, living in the present moment, responding--right now.
Grant me the ears--the eyes--the heart--to do that each moment. To do it well.
more, later.
You know how much I love to dance with you. Even when the music is blazingly fast, we ride in the center of it. Listening to the music, listening to each other, listening to the dance.
Been thinking lately about how much that mirrors teaching.
My classroom is often like a crowded dance floor: lots of motion, crowded with chatter, liveliness and fun. Sometimes it can be difficult to listen to the music in the midst of all of that---the music of children's lives, children's thinking patterns, children's minds opening and growing. For that matter---listening to all of that for the grownups, too.
We're all caught up in the bustle.
Seems to me that there's a lot of joy in learning to ride in the center of all of that---learning to listen, learning to respond to the people, to the materials, to the music. Learning the steps of the dance, then letting the steps melt into response.
Dancing. Teaching. Life.
It's all about listening, isn't it, J? All about being in the moment, living in the present moment, responding--right now.
Grant me the ears--the eyes--the heart--to do that each moment. To do it well.
more, later.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Performances and performing
Dear J,
Been thinking a lot lately about performances and performing.
Sharing music in performance can be such a strong vehicle for sparking joy--for reminding everyone involved about the juicy vitality just beneath the surface of everyday life.
Sometimes, I lose that awareness of joy.
Sometimes, I get tangled up in the details, trying my best to work towards the goal of---in Seth Godin's great phrase--"delivering out-of-the-box-remarkability day after day".
Never mind 'remarkability': sometimes it's hard just to stay current with each day's demands!
Watching some of the great ukulele videos on youtube (check out James Hill's sparkling performances in particular, J---you'll love them) reminded me today about how important it is, each day, to nourish my ability to hear. To listen, in the midst of performing the daily details, as carefully as I listen to a music performance.
To listen, with the same delight that our kids show, to life.
More, later.
Been thinking a lot lately about performances and performing.
Sharing music in performance can be such a strong vehicle for sparking joy--for reminding everyone involved about the juicy vitality just beneath the surface of everyday life.
Sometimes, I lose that awareness of joy.
Sometimes, I get tangled up in the details, trying my best to work towards the goal of---in Seth Godin's great phrase--"delivering out-of-the-box-remarkability day after day".
Never mind 'remarkability': sometimes it's hard just to stay current with each day's demands!
Watching some of the great ukulele videos on youtube (check out James Hill's sparkling performances in particular, J---you'll love them) reminded me today about how important it is, each day, to nourish my ability to hear. To listen, in the midst of performing the daily details, as carefully as I listen to a music performance.
To listen, with the same delight that our kids show, to life.
More, later.
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