I have a confession to make. This 41-year old does not possess the gift of ironing. In fact, I don't even own an ironing board. (Gasp!) If something needs ironed, most likely I don't even notice, but I just wear it anyway. Seriously though when push comes to shove, I can hand over the task to my mother who irons most everything she and my father wear. I simply don't like to iron. I don't have the right tools, and I'm not good at it. Thus, I don't do it.
Every year there are children in my classroom who are in over their heads, yet they don't have the option of opting out like I as an adult do when I'm not good at something. They are stuck. I could spend way too much energy pointing fingers at a lack of parental support, a faulty system that requires kids to blossom at the same time, an inconsistent kindergarten schedule, large classroom sizes, etc. When all is said and done, I'm left with this question. "How can I ensure these children experience the sweet taste of accomplishment no matter the stage they're at or the pace they're going?" I don't always have a good answer to this question, but it's one worth contemplating. If I were forced to iron everything I wore on a daily basis, I'd want someone in my corner as well.
Words well spoken, Tammy! We have to find a way to take them from where ever they are at and move them forward. Even if they are far behind, learn differently from most of the class, or if they learn at a different pace. They still need to be taught and feel success. :) Now to figure out how for each one!
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, they definitely deserve exactly what you laid out. The "how" is the hard part, huh?
DeleteYou should try a steamer, Tammy. They are really easy to use and then you could work your way up to an iron:) (LOL) I know how to iron, but don't like to do it. I try really hard to make sure that all of my students feel successful no matter their abilities.
ReplyDeleteI know you do the same:)
Connie Anderson:)
www.welcometofirstgraderoom5.blogspot.com
Connie, not sure I could manage a steamer even! :) I can totally see you being wonderful at making sure your students feel good about their accomplishments.
DeleteWonderful connection ... and point well-made. I have been planning my character unit this morning, and thinking about the books I will use in my mini-lessons and offered to my students for guided and independent reading. It is a "non-negotiable" that every child feel successful when tackling big thinking such as inferring, making connections, noticing patterns in the story, and likes, dislikes and changes in the characters.
ReplyDeleteMary b, I like your thought. We need to ensure that everyone is a successful thinker when it comes to books!
DeleteI'll be thinking about this for many days. In childhood, our days are wrapped around being exposed to new things, and the expectation that we will attempt/try. In adulthood, my days are filled with obligations of my own making: teaching/job, family requirements, etc. If I try something new, there aren't many, if any, people to encourage me or cheer me on. (Maybe that's why blogging is awesome...the camaraderie and feedback)
ReplyDeleteI need to break out of my comfort zone in 2013!
Chrissy, don't we all. If we put ourselves into the shoes of the children, we'd probably get out of our comfort zones a little more often.
DeleteHi Tammy,
ReplyDeleteMy friends still tease me about when my daughter was 4 and was playing at a friends house and asked what the toy ironing board was (having never seen one:) Your post is, as always, very thought provoking. One thing I have noticed is that my little ones (pre-k'ers) aren't as hung up on being successful "at the same stage" as we adults are. They seem to naturally appreciate their accomplishments as they are learning something new. When they do something new or well for the first time, there is genuine pleasure unrelated to how they compare with others. I think that we certainly take away from that natural pleasure in success when we start testing and comparing children (which is one of the many reasons I hate charts that recognize the success of individual class members). As always, thanks for your insight.
Lyn
Lyn, that's a wonderful point. We need to nurture more of that genuine pleasure.
DeleteWell said! Thank you for your Saturday Sayings. They always get me thinking!
ReplyDeleteJenny
Thank you Jenny. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Thanks for liking my Saturday Sayings.
DeleteThis is one of my favorite sayings yet! Math, to this day, is a struggle for me. I purposely take math courses to keep learning and keep it in mind with my students who don't yet know things.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Laurie, I'm glad you like this quote. It's a good one to keep in mind. Sounds like you do a wonderful job of doing just that.
DeleteIt's something I struggle with daily as well. I have been reflecting a lot on where my kids are and how little time I have left to get them where they need to be.
ReplyDeleteI actually called my mother last year to tell her I was using the iron-I was ironing on decals but I think it's the only time I've used it in the 10 years I've lived here! :)
NotJustChild'sPlay
Miss Trayers, it's definitely not easy to move them along and make sure each one feels the kind of success that they need to feel. (Glad to hear I'm not the only one lacking some ironing skills!)
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