That's an extra long quote, but I couldn't help but include every last word. It's probably because as I'm gearing up for a new year, my thoughts are lingering on such things.
- Is what I'm teaching important to students?
- Is it something that will apply to their world outside of school or is it just a school thing?
- How has this skill or strategy been useful to me as an adult?
- What stories do I have to share about my own learning that will help my students connect with this skill better?
For example, I'm currently juggling all these questions when it comes to my calendar area. Mardelle from Weeds in the Garden has got me rethinking how I use it. I know the feeling of being stuck in the middle of calendar time and thinking, "What's my point here? Why am I spending time on this? How is this moving children forward?" Mardelle has challenged me to use the calendar in a way that honors how time is relevant to the kids and their day-to-day lives.
Click on the picture to read Mardelle's post.
No matter the subject area, I'm feeling moved more than ever to consider Debbie Miller's quote. If what I'm trying to teach isn't important and relevant to kids and their real world, I've got some reflecting to do and some changes to make.
Our district's motto has been Rigor, Relevance, Relationships ... and you've just nailed the relevance part.
ReplyDeleteReflecting with you,
Barbara
Barbara, Thank you for adding your thoughts to the mix today. I like your motto!
DeleteI have had these questions before too. I like these thoughts on relevance and making it meaningful to the students. Thanks for sharing it!
ReplyDeleteLori
Conversations in Literacy
Lori, they're questions worth pondering, huh? I'm not surprised you think about these things too.
DeleteDebbie Miller is brilliant. Thanks for sharing. I often has thoughts like these during transition time and how I could better use it.
ReplyDeleteLaurie
Chickadee Jubilee
Laurie, she is brilliant indeed. She makes my head hurt sometimes.
DeleteI agree with Laurie, Debbie Miller is brilliant. I just finished this book and remember reading your quote. I also know Mardelle and have been working on doing the same thing this year. Kids need to use the calendar for more than "what was yesterday?". Thanks for always confirming for me that I need to always be improving and mentoring my students into humanity.
ReplyDeleteKimberley
First in Maine
Kimberley, I've been thinking about Mardelle's post since last year. I'm looking forward to starting off a new year making sure to use the calendar for more real-life purposes. Glad to know I'm in good company.
DeleteInteresting. I had no idea there was such a calendar debate. :) I never liked doing a calendar "routine"-I had seen many teachers go through every day a whole bunch of skills and then the kids still couldn't apply them, Why? I think you nailed it that it just wasn't relevant to them. Definitely something important to keep in mind as I start planning for the new year. :)
ReplyDeleteNotJustChild'sPlay
Miss Trayers, my calendar time has not been nearly relevant enough. I'm looking forward to new things.
DeleteI really appreciate this because as a parent I've had my children come home many times and say, particularly when something is difficult, "Why does this matter? When am I ever going to use it in real life?"
ReplyDeleteSusanna, thank you for sharing your thoughts as a mother of the kinds of little ones we are responsible for.
DeleteI'm with you, Tammy! Couldn't have made that quote any shorter because it was all good! Definitely a goal for me this year to teach with relevance and intention in every lesson.
ReplyDeleteCrystal
Teaching Little Miracles
Crystal, it's a worthy goal to pursue. I'm sure we can all do a better job of teaching with relevancy.
DeleteA super quote and a timely reminder about keeping it real!
ReplyDeleteBarb, it does seem like the right time to think about this, huh?
DeletePerfect post. I've been struggling with calendar since I moved to first grade. Last year I took pictures and I wrote important first grade events on my desk calendar, like class celebrations, finding a spider on our wall, holidays we made up, reading days,etc. The sad thing was I never showed the kids because it was supposed to be a surprise at the end of the year-look at all the great things we did this year!.. ummm never happened.This year I'm doing a framed picture timeline on the wall. Maybe near the calendar? Thanks for the rumination.great discussions!
ReplyDeleteMarie, your timeline idea sounds like fun and meaningful too!
DeleteThought provoking as always. I love my calendar time because I think it is a fast and fun way for my little ones to work on one-to one correspondence. It also works on patterning and most important gets us up and moving as we count and jump or clap or exercise to today's date. I like the idea of a year long calendar but I have to decide if it is too advanced for my little ones. I was planning to try creating a picture timeline of our year. I think I might have to try doing it with a year long calendar, My brain is spinning with new ideas. Thanks! :)
ReplyDeleteLyn, it is interesting how this applies to your littlest ones. I'm looking forward to what you'll come up with!
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