For many complex children, school means a vigilant effort to control their minds and bodies. They watch their friends succeed in an environment that, for them, seems toxic. The rigor of social, emotional, behavioral, and academic expectations overwhelms them. These obstacles often make them feel isolated and alone.
OBSTACLES
“Obstacles, of course, are developmentally necessary: they teach kids strategy, patience, critical thinking, resilience, and resourcefulness.” - Naomi Wolf
I agree with Ms. Wolf to a certain extent, but what if your days are filled with nothing but obstacles? How do you create any moments of happiness? How does this place become your place? Let’s face it, when you reflect on your childhood educational experience, it’s not mastery of double digit division that immediately comes to mind. It’s the fun traditions. For me, it’s Sister Joyce’s Friday sing-along. A nun with a guitar in the 60’s was not only an epic experience, but a tradition that I can still picture today - my whole class just sitting around asking for songs and actually singing. We had the cool teacher…we were the cool class!
As a teacher, I planned and prayed that my students reached their goals. Yet, I knew that the arduous, complicated, and seldom linear journey could be made better with traditions. Therefore, I needed to sustain an environment where everyone was successful regardless of what the data collected indicated. I aimed to cultivate a class that students supported each other in and ultimately owned.
SCENARIO
My second grade reading class is lined up outside the learning support door. All the students are at least one year below grade level, some even more. I stand at the door and ask them to enter. They silently file in, retrieve their reading folders, go to their seats, and open their folders. They gaze up at me and I exclaim, “Great job, you’ve earned a point. Pat yourself on the back.”
Research indicates that routines and traditions are good for people’s physical and mental well-being. The above could be seen as a routine, as it was practiced repeatedly until each student could perform the sequence. What makes it a tradition is the meaning behind it. One point on an ‘earn a game day’ chart and a simple ‘self-pat’ represented success. No matter what else happened that day, they were successful both individually and as a team at something.
SOMETHING Something is the definitive word in this concept called “traditions.” Alienation and confusion encompass these kids when they enter the building. It’s surprising, but a moment of silly back-patting implies not only success, but a unifying ‘We did it!’ How often do you hear these children call themselves bad or stupid? That’s where teachers can make a difference. We not only can create a positive climate of cohesiveness and predictability, we must.
Take the time to review your teaching and be sure to add traditions. They don’t have to be elaborate or time-consuming, just simple reaffirming gestures that allow students to belong and succeed.
They can be simple….
- · Greeting with a class handshake
- · Opening lesson chant
- · Prize box points for effort/participation
- · Weekly “guess what’s in the box”
- · End of the day joke
…or complex
- · Santa’s Workshop using donated gifts for children from limited income families
- · Reunion breakfast in the fall for last year’s class
- · Pizza party after standardized testing
- · Student of the week
- · Seasonal celebrations (i.e. winter cocoa and toast party)
“We don’t remember days, we remember moments.” - Cesare Pavese
Classroom traditions are truly a hidden curriculum that should be artfully entwined throughout the school day. They help make life seem predictable, under control, and meaningful. They provide cohesiveness and predictability, which children crave. They foster and support positive attitude and most importantly, make children happy!