The Power of Yet

It is probably a safe assumption that every teacher has heard a student mutter "I can't do this" or "This is too hard."  They believe that the task is beyond their ability and they give up.

You have probably also encountered those students who, when faced with failure, reflect, take a different approach to the challenge and persevere. They understand that they just haven't succeeded YET. They understand that with reflection and practice there is a very good chance that eventually they will succeed.

Carol Dweck would refer to the first example as a fixed mindset and the second is a growth mindset.  Individuals with a fixed mindset believe that abilities are fixed...you are good at something or you are not.  Persons with a Growth Mindset tend to view abilities as progressive.  They try, reflect, adapt and try again with the belief that they will keep improving and eventually succeed.   This is a trait that many innovators and problem-solvers possess.  It is one that employers seek out.

Can a mindset be altered?  Can an individual with a fixed mindset develop a growth mindset? Studies conducted by Mindsetworks, founded by Carol Dweck,  suggest we can indeed change a person’s mindset from fixed to growth, and when we do, it leads to increased motivation and achievement. In a study in which seventh graders were divided into one group that received memory training and a second group which were given training in growth mindset the first group continued to show declining grades, but the growth-mindset group showed a clear rebound in their grades.

Growth Mindset is not directly addressed in British Columbia’s redesigned curriuculum but is a good fit with he Personal Awareness and Responsibility Competencies which include self-determination and self-regulation.

In exploring Growth Mindset I discovered a wealth of resources that explain and illustrate Growth MIndset.  I curated them in a Symbaloo lesson.  Curious to learn more?  Click on the link and let the journey of discovery begin!

http://lessonplans.symbaloo.com/start?accessCode=41113

References

MindsetWorks (nd) Decades of Scientific Reserach that Started a Growth Mindset Revolution. Retrieved 21 January 2017 from https://www.mindsetworks.com/science/

British Columbia MInistry of Education. (2017) Personal Awareness and Responsibility Competency.  Retrieved 21 January 2016 from https://curriculum.gov.bc.ca/sites/curriculum.gov.bc.ca/files/pdf/PersonalAwarenessResponsibilityCompetencyProfiles.pdf

The Antidote to Burnout

The topic of teacher burn-out and the importance of self-care got me thinking about an article published by Lisa Dabbs in Edutopia titled 20 Tidbits for New Teachers.  The article contains some good advice for new and veteran teachers.  Amongst the tips is build relationships; collaborate, ask for help, be willing to grow, get a mentor and, of course, make time for r&r.  Dabbs (2011) is clear that “If you don't take time for rest and relaxation you will crash and burn.”  In her article 5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout Hertz (2014) also identifies the importance of self-care in preventimng teacher burnout and encourages teachers to maintain their “other” life outside of school by exercising and socializing.

I will be the first to admot that pursuing my Masters degree while working full-time has meant that self-care has not been a priority.  I succumbed to my addiction to Coca Cola and have been more sedentary than is healthy.  Fortunately my personal trainer (otherwise known as my golden retriever Tucker) gets me out for a two kilometer walk most mornings before work.  I also have a colleague at a different school that I talk to regularly which both provides an opportunity to socialize and discuss work-related challenges.  This is a start, but it’s not enough.  My present challenge is, where do I find the time and energy?  I am already stretched with work, studying, professional learning groups and other professional development initiatives.

So what can I do that I can fit into my packed schedule?  Journaling at the end of the day before bedding down for the night is a possibility.  I also love movies.  I am an escapist.  It has been a long time since I have been to the theatre.  There are a few movies I would like to see.  Taking the initiative to invite someone to go with me to see a movie and leave the real world behind for a few hours would be welcome and something I could pursue.  

Having completed two marathons I am a big believer in an active body supporting an active mind.  Exercise, and running in particular, has taken a back seat as of late.  My dog is aging and his muscles no longer respond to running and I would feel guilty leaving him behind while I run by myself so we now take shorter walks.  Looking at the list of potential activities posted in the OLTD 509 Quest I think it is time to identify other means of being active.  I have a stationary bike that I could use before settling down on the couch to study after work and I am sure the Internet is abundant in quick exercise videos.  It is time to make activity a priority again. According to Robinson et al (2017) people who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives.  That is reason enough for me to make it a priority again.

The activity that I do that promotes my emotional well-being the most is not on the list.  Spending time with my pets has always been what grounds me.  Nothing soothes away the stress of a difficult day like cuddling with a cat or petting a dog.  Best of all, they are never too busy to listen. I have been known to say that fur is the fix.

We have all heard the saying, “If Mom ain’t haopy, nobody’s happy.”  I suggest that this is true of anyone in the position of a caregiver.  It is not selfish to make yourself a priority every once in a while.  It’s necessary.

So, in the interest of being a better teacher I am going to continue to begin my day with a morning walk but I will investigate ways I can incorporate more activity and socializing nto my tight schedule.  Maybe that new J.K. Rowling movie is still playing.  Popcorn, anyone?

References

Dabbs, Lisa. (2017). Edutopia. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.edutopia.org/users/lisa-dabbs

Dabbs, L. (2011). 20 Tidbits for New Teachers. Edutopia. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/20-tips-new-teachers-lisa-dabbs

Hertz, M. (2014). 5 Tips for Avoiding Teacher Burnout. Edutopia. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from https://www.edutopia.org/blog/5-tips-avoiding-teacher-burnout-mary-beth-hertz

Robinson, Lawrence  and Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., and Melinda Smith, M.A.(2017) The Mental Health Benefits of Exercise: The Exercise Prescription for Depression, Anxiety, Stress, and More). Helpguide.org. Retrieved 9 January 2017, from https://www.helpguide.org/articles/exercise-fitness/emotional-benefits-of-exercise.htm

TGIF

I like to be prepared.  Probably because I am a am a self-professed control freak.

That is why I stayed at school until nearly 6:00 last night and why I was there at 7:25 this morning.

I am aware that you can't be prepared for everything and that plans can often go awry (particularly when 6 and 7 year-olds are involved) but it is somewhere to start.

This morning after I had walked the dog, showered and dressed I stopped by the dam to collect fresh water for the class tadpoles and arrived at school at 7:25 with my Starbucks hot chocolate in hand.

I proceeded to unstack the chairs and place them at student desks and turn the computer on.

I love how peaceful the class is before everyone arrives.  In those moments the day ahead is perfect.  

The day never unfolds exactly as you imagined it.  But that doesn't mean it can't be good.

Today was pretty good.  A few barometer students were away again so the energy was calmer.  This enabled me to focus on other students with needs.

There is one girl in the class that I am increasingly concerned about.  She has had problems with theft and honesty.  Today she seemed to be the instigator in several altercations.  She claimed to pushed down by one student and a few minutes later, hit by another student.  She was the common denominator in both incidents.  She denied any culpability but further investigation unearthed details that indicated she held some responsibility for each incident.  I spoke with her mother when she picked her up early for a dentist appointment.

I have been pulling certain students to the back table to work with me in small groups to help contain and focus them.  For the most part it is working well.  Proximity is often a helpful tool.  Unfortunately it means I am pretty unavailable for other students.  This is an aspect I am not particularly fond of with this strategy.

One student chose to mope in stead of joining us so after ensuring that he knew he was welcome to join us whenever he chose I ignored him.  He eventually did come to the table but did nothing.

Our weekly visit to the courtyard garden can be a trigger for some students.  It is less structured and some don't do well with that.  I decided to be proactive and send them to the support room with work before we went to the garden.  This worked well for the most part.  The exception was the previously mentioned girl who aggravated another student to the point where she began hitting her.  I did react instinctively and raised my voice.   Not the best response, I admit.   I had to get the support worker to get the support room worker to come one girl why I talked with the other.

The afternoon was filled with a successful activity about frogs, outside gym time our weekly desk clean and centers.

I was pleased to be able to tell the parents of one girl who can be disruptive and belligerent that she had had an awesomne day.  In fact, she had done some of her best work.

I didn't handle one interaction as well as I might have.

I have been frustrated by a student bringing coffee (often a large, filled with LOTS of sugar and cream) with him in the morning.  He's seven.  I am not the only person who thinks this is not a good idea.  I have put a note in his planner to that effect.  The Teacher in Charge was going to call his mother.  He handed his coffee over to me without argument his morning and asked for it at the end of the day. I gave it back to him.  I also told him next time I was going to dump it down the drain.  It did not belong at school.  If I smelled coffee I was going to call his mother.

A little harsh, I admit.  However, it has been going on for weeks.  I can't control what happens at home but I can control what is brought in my classroom.  

What other options do I have?

That is the question I am going to consider this weekend  TGIF.

The Best Part of Waking Up

How you start your day really does matter.

Some days when my dog gets me up at 5:30 for our morning walk I would much rather stay in bed.

Today I was less reluctant to leave the comfort of my bed.  I got dressed and headed out the door.  The birds were singing and the sun was almost up and the sky was beginning to lighten.  I generally enjoy my walk once I am up and about but this morning was especially enjoyable.

After about 3 blocks my canine companion and I were rewarded with a glorious sunrise.  The soft pinks and oranges blended together to create a masterpiece of nature.

I held that image of the sunset with me as I continued with my day.  A few key players were absent from my class and while the children ate their lunch another adult and I commented on the spell that had been cast on the class.  It was like magic.  I could enjoy their quirks rather than being frustrated by them.

The spell eventually broke but I credit the positive start to my day for the success of the morning.

There may not always be a brilliant sunrise to begin our day, but we are control of the attitude we begin the day with.  It's up to us to find our own sunrise, aromatic coffee, inspirational music or encouraging smile to help us start our day right.

What's In Your Basket?

We all carry an invisible basket.  In that basket is our family, language and culture, love and caring, our childhood and more.

I have been participating in a professional learning group addressing First Nations awareness and issues.

This Thursday I had the privilege of participating in an exercise that demonstrated the impacxt of residential schools.

I was given a woven basket.  Pretty and light. I was asked to rest it on my arms.  Inside the basket were index cards labelled, family, language, childhood, and love and caring.

One by one, as I was removed from my family and home and taken to a residential school each of these cards was removed and replaced with a rock.

At first the weight was noticeable but bearable.  With each additional rock it became more difficult to bear the weight.  I was determined so I held onto the basket.  I made a few adjustments in how I held it but I held on to it.  Honestly, I didn't know how much longer I could hold it.  A few minutes, sure.  An hour?  I didn't think so.  A whole day?  No way.

Eventually, people were asked to remove the rocks one by one.  With each rock removed my burden was significantly lighter.  When the last rock was removed I felt overwhelming relief.

But my basket was empty.

I will never forget the feeling of holding that basket.  How heavy it was.  How I felt I could not put it down or pass the burden to anyone else.   How for brief moments I considered giving up.

I also will not forget each time someone stepped in to take a piece of that burden.  I was relieved, grateful and felt acknowledged.  Someone noticed what I was going through and has chosen to take action.

That is what First Nations communities are dealing with.  They are attempting to refill the baskets that were emptied.  Not with burdens but with the things that enrich our lives.  We can all help fill each others' baskets with experiences that help nourish, protect and grow.

You Fill My Heart With Joy

I believe that every day is a new beginning.  I love that moment when I open the door and greet my students with some welcoming words and a big smile.  It's a great way to start the day together.

But how could I make it even better?

During periods of frustration it is easy to forget that there are positive attributes in every child.  The class had needed a lot of redirecting lately and I wanted them to see that I recognize all the wonderful things about them, too.

I got out a pad of sticky notes and took a few moments to record one positive attribute about each child.  I am pleased to say that it really wasn't that difficult.

The fun began when I opened the door.  Along with their daily entry task, each student found a note on their desk.  It was amusing to watch them help each other read them.  It was a little noisier and chaotic than usual but in a purposeful and positive way.

What I didn't expect were the notes I found on my desk later that day.  Some students had taken it upon themselves to reciprocate and left some inspirational messages on my desk for me.  So what if "heart" was spelled "Heather."  I couldn't have been more honoured or proud.

The day still had challenges.  How boring would it be if kit didn't, but I had enough positivity in me that it couldn't break me.  Not even when my struggling student cam through the door (late) with a LARGE cup of sugary coffee and Mom was late picking him up again.  Colleagues commented but I managed to disengage from the conversations before I made unprofessional comments or lost my positivity.

No one is perfect, and I am at the beginning of my journey in reflective practice so mistakes are expected.

I did want to talk to MT's mom.  I met the kids at the office as they were about to head out to the playground.  I asked them to wait because I wanted to talk to their mom.  Another adult was their and said she would watch them on the playground.  I repeated that I wanted to talk to their mother.  The middle daughter asked why.  I explained that I was concerned that she and her younger brother had been left waiting for over half an hour the day before and wanted to talk to her mother about it.  I did not bad mouth the mother but even that was perhaps too much information to share particularly with another adult in ear shot.  Next time I would simply say, I just want to talk to her.  The adult again said that shew would watch the kids as they would be going over to her place later anyway.  I caved.  I should have said, "Thank you, but I insist that they wait here."   The fact that I was going to be late for yet another meeting because of this family did factor into my decision.  I needed to leave and couldn't wait much longer anyway.

I could have strode back to my room, muttering under my breath about how the mopther was late AGAIN picking up her children but I didn't.  When colleagues commented on the situation I simpoly acknowledged their observations and said I was going to confront the mother about it.  I diodn't say, "Yup.  She did it again.  Can you beleive it?  What is she doing having another kid?"  Again, she is doing her best.  Would I like better for the kids?  Yes.  Is criticizing the mother the way to get it?  Not likely.  I am going to build on the bond we have been building and offer her whatever supports I can.  Hopefully pride will not stand in the way of her accepting some support.

What would my note to her say?  You love your children very much.  Never give up.


 

My Journey of Reflective Practice Begins....

Spring has sprung.
The grass has riz.
I wonder where
the class I knew is....

Just before spring break I recognized that both my students and I were in desperate need of a break.  Their behaviour was rapidly going downhill and my patience was wearing thin.

I decided to become more pro-active rather than reactive.  These little six and seven year-olds deserved my best.  By golly, that's what they were going to get.

This meant I had to unpack some emotional baggage.  I was becoming increasingly frustrated with what I was witnessing in many families.  I didn't understand decisions they were making.

Then it hit me.  I was looking at their lifestyle through a lens tinted with the values that I grew up with and still reside within me.  I needed to change that lens, at least when judging or interacting with these families.  My values are an important part of who I am, but they are not their values.  I had to respect that.  There would still be moments of frustration, and that is what this blog, my reflection journal, is for.  It will be a place to examine the events of the day.  What went well?  What was frustrating?  How did I deal with that frustration?  What are some things I could try next time?

One student I have been struggling with had a bad day.  He did not engage with the literacy support teacher and spoke to her in a loud voice using negative talk.  He left the room without letting an adult know and took items from the snack tray without permission.  I followed him and reminded him that he needed to ask before leaving the room or taking items from the snack tray.  His behaviour was not okay.  I was frustrated mostly by his rudeness to another adult who was trying so hard to work with him.

A plan was made.  Hall passes were created.  When he needs to leave (or an adult thinks he needs to leave) he takes a pass and can take a short walk.  Expectations were discussed with him.  This would be implemented on a trial basis.  I admit that before I reached this breaking point I would have been reluctant to let a grade one wander the halls.  In fact, I confess to uncharitable thoughts towards teachers who let there students do so.  Now, I was willing to try anything.  He wasn't doing work in class anyway, so the reality was he wasn't going to miss much anyway.  This was the first shift in  my thinking.  I moved from "He is capable so he will do this work before I grant him any privileges" to "He will not demonstrate his potential until he is ready to and disciplinary measures won't change that."

As the plan wasn't going to be introduced until the next day, the remainder of the day was chaos.  He disappeared from another class, resulting in a search by another adult.  After school his mother (pregnant with her fourth child.....seventh in the blended family) was over 30 minutes late.  He had been instructed by his big sister to remain on the playground to wait for their mother while she was in an after school playground.  Instead he wandered thew halls, shouting and kicking his backpack until he was eventually ushered out.

I have opinions about bringing another child in the world when you can't adequately feed or otherwise care for existing children but I managed to keep these thoughts to myself.  I did wait for the mother and reinforced how important it was to pick her children up on time.  She said she had a plan and I simply pointed out that it hadn't worked so maybe other arrangements needed to be made.

I reminded myself that this mother is doing the best that she can.  She is overwhelmed.  Yes, that situation is of her own making but, again,  I am looking at her life choices through my lens.  All I can do is find ways to support her (and retain what little of my own sanity that is left) so that these children have the best chance possible to become productive, happy citizens as adults.  

Tomorrow is a new day