Saturday, June 16, 2012

Saturday Sayings: Expecting Ambiguity

(Click above for more Saturday Sayings.)

I spent three days this week getting myself educated more about the Common Core.  It's quite a big project for one little brain to take on, as some of you know too well.  I found myself being reminded of something I heard a wise professor say ten years ago when I was getting my Masters.  I could only remember a small portion, but would you believe I still have those notes?  (You never know when these things will come in handy.)  This is what I had jotted down.


"Willingness to live with vagueness."  That's the part that's been hanging around my brain this week.  Even though my understanding of the Common Core is much improved, I'm still dealing with vagueness.  That feeling can either be handled with stress or with the knowledge that this is simply part of being a learner.  Ambiguity is not necessarily the enemy.  I've learned over the years when diving into something new, to allow myself the right to not understand everything about it right off the bat.  It takes time to conquer change.  Sometimes it even lingers months into the process.  Expect some possible feelings of foolishness and a desire for lots of dialogue and questioning.  If so, according to Bahruth, it proves that learning is taking place.  

In essence, we're practicing what we expect of our students, but oddly enough, my notes say that most children do these three things rather naturally.  Maybe we can take a tip from them.  Embrace the ambiguity instead of letting it heighten our stress levels.  Whether it's the Common Core, Daily 5 (I've seen lots of posts about this lately), a new way of teaching math, experimenting with writing workshop, or whatever new content we're taking on, let's not be surprised when vagueness shows up.  Instead we can expect it, recognize it, don't let it slow us down, and know that it won't stick around forever.


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26 comments:

  1. Great words! I have trouble with the part of willingness to look foolish and being okay with vagueness! I like to understand it all and to understand it all now. :) We ask kids to be patient with their learning and to let us guide them. We must listen to that and be willing to let others guide us too!
    Lori
    Conversations in Literacy

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    1. I guess being a learner is kind of messy at times. That's how it feels for me with the common core...messy. It will get better.

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    2. Those are theeffect woods o took away from Baruth...he is wise..and those words has served me well...

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    3. Sorry sometimes my phone does crazy corrections...they are perfect words and have served me well...can't wait to work with you...I'm still in Alabama for bit...

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    4. Those are theeffect woods o took away from Baruth...he is wise..and those words has served me well...

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    5. Marie, looking forward to having you back with us. Kelly bought Lucy's book. She can let us know how it is. Enjoy the rest of your time in Alabama.

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  2. Tammy,

    This is so perfect for me this year! We are implementing Common Core and starting what Kansas calls MTSS (lots of unknowns)!!! I'm a planner so I like to have all the answers NOW, but the Lord is using it all for a lesson of patience for me. Hee hee... Great post!

    Thanks,
    Crystal

    Teaching Little Miracles

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    1. Crystal, there always seem to be unknowns in the education world, some my choice and others not so much. Patience is certainly a great bi-product through it all, huh? :)

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  3. I love this! Lucy Calkins has a great book on the Common Core (I know you are surprised!)
    Pathways to the Common Core: Accelerating Achievement
    I have also been working on them. It helped me to look at the kid-friendly standards.

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    1. Sandi, I hadn't heard about Lucy's book, but you're right. I'm not surprised. As always, thanks for your comments!

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    2. Of course Lucy would...we should do a book club Tammy..

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    3. I hear the first chapter alone will get you thinking. After my class and looking over the new Lucy Calkins Writers Workshop Curriculum and new Investigations curriculum set to start in Sept. I MAY get around to reading. Good luck on your quest for knowledge! Knowing that even those who think they have a deeper understanding are probably really only standing in a puddle.

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    4. Thanks for coming by Linda. I just heard about the new Lucy Calkins curriculum. I'd be interested in looking at that too. So much to do. :)

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  4. Words from the wise. We (my school district) have a lot of new things coming our way in the next 2 years, plus, I'm trying to still figure out my blog ;p Hopefully, this will keep me on my toes and my brain in good shape! ha

    And you are right, we do ask that of our kids all the time.

    I just started reading the Daily 5 this summer to see if I think I want to implement it next year.

    Kelly @ I'm Not Your Grandpa, I'm Your Teacher

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    1. Kelly, I love Daily 5. I modified it to fit my schedule, but it just makes so much sense to my brain. Kids are doing real reading and real writing instead of stuff about reading and writing. Let me know what you think.

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  5. I am your newest follower. Come join me for fun and freebies. I found you from FB top teachers.

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    1. Thanks Mrs. C. I'd love to come join you.

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  6. Sorry,
    http://www.littlemisskindergarten.blogspot.com

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  7. Love the questions themselves!

    Thanks for your hard thinking, Tammy

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    1. Thank you Jeff for inspiring us teachers to do the hard thinking!

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  8. I feel like I just took a deep breath! How liberating. I think this can apply to the first few days of a new school year, too. Especially in kindergarten, there are so many unknowns. Most of the children are new to the school. They are a mystery to the teachers and to each other. We plot a course, plan for more than is needed, and establish a classroom environment, but the students bring their unknown selves.

    Thankfully, I'm not afraid to appear foolish. :-)
    ReadWriteSing

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    1. Chrissy, it is liberating knowing that we don't have to have it all figured out right away.

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  9. Thanks so much for helping with my understanding of common core. What reading series do you use, and has anyone linked Houghton Mifflin Journeys for first grade to the common core? We are in the process of linking HMH to our standards and common core. Confusing!!!
    Thanks in advance!!

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    1. Firstlookandsee, my district uses Houghton-Mifflin, but I must admit that I pretty much do my own thing. I'm not sure if HM has been linked to common core. I wouldn't doubt it. Good luck!

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  10. That's great advice. I sometimes find myself backing out of something new, just because I don't fully understand it. Thanks.
    ❀Barbara❀
    Grade ONEderful
    Ruby Slippers Blog Designs

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    1. Barbara, we all probably do that at times. Vagueness isn't always a comfortable feeling, is it?

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