Making Trying Cool Again…
This week, Shawn and I got the pleasure of spending a lot of time with our middle school class. It is a class that has historically had problems in the classroom, that have struggled with staying engaged and with controlling their emotions. To all of the teachers and substitutes that have worked with the class, they have said it is unlike any class they have ever taught before. Most of those working with them have not been able to see their potential, have blamed the issues on learning and emotional problems that could not be solved. Others have said the mix of students is not possible to work with. They spoke as if there was no hope for them, no solution. Shawn and I did not agree, and this week we got to work.
Some of our 8th grade guys posing for a picture at the end of our hike
When we started working with them at the beginning of the week, it was difficult to get volunteers to read, to come up and do math problems in front of the class, to participate at all. It is not that they did not want to, it is that they felt insecure in their abilities. They call themselves “dumb”. We switched this word in their vocabulary out with “ignorant”, because ignorant is not a bad word, it just means lacking knowledge. Then we had to establish that the classroom was a brave space, a judgment free zone. Class time was a time where we worked together to help make one another less ignorant, where we helped fill in gaps in knowledge. Each student has at least one area they feel confident in, and as a class we were there to support others weaknesses with our strengths.
We took them on a field trip to Mount Saint Francis. Took them out to see nature and to hike, to reflect. Shawn taught them his three rules, Pause-Think-React. At the end of the trip he asked them all to write in their journals three good things they saw about one of their classmates. Then each of them stood in front of the rest of their class and told them those things.
Our 8th graders pausing to reflect on their hike
School for a lot of the class has been a place of embarrassment. Where their ignorance is laughed at by classmates rather than helped by classmates. They see Tik Tok stars and Youtubers who have edited their lives to show only the perfect takes, they do not see all the outtakes and prep it requires to get them there. They see the effortless life all around them and being made to feel too ashamed to ask for help, they resign to just sitting back. They feel like if they do not give it a shot, there is not a possibility that they miss.
After a couple of days of laying out expectations and establishing a judgment free zone, we were able to start addressing some foundations. When I asked for volunteers to read at the beginning of the week, I had the same three or four volunteers while the rest looked on or dazed off. Yesterday was a different story. I asked for volunteers to read and I had one. When I asked for the next volunteer, silence. I reminded them that school was about practicing things that we are not comfortable with, that it is about filling in gaps in our knowledge together as a team. After reframing the mindset, a student got up, “I’m not any good at reading, but I will try”. I handed him the book and told him I was right next to him if he needed any help sounding out words. When he finished reading his page, his classmates clapped for him. They saw he was nervous, but that he at least tried. Then one by one they all came up to read. Some of them read one page, some one paragraph, and one of them just a single sentence, but a single sentence more than he had ever done before. All of them shaking like a wet dog on a winter night. But all of them reading and applauding one another at the end for their efforts.
Some of our 8th graders playing down by the lake
Learning is hard, harder for some more than others. School is a place that is meant to assist in that journey, and peer-to-peer support will always be more effective than just a teacher. Coming into that classroom, learning, had to be reframed as a journey rather than something that can be failed. They thought I was crazy when I did not have them turn in their math sheets for a grade, “What is it for then?” It is to learn, to participate, to practice, to try. Because we have to make trying cool again.
Ethan
Volleyball Ramping Up…
Our Lady Lion’s Volleyball team just finished their first week of two practices a week. They are excited to continue preparing for their first game in a couple of weeks.
The girls practicing their serves
Fish Fry Today 11am-7pm!!!
The Fish Fry will be open today from 11-7pm. Stop by for a fish sandwich or some churched up tots.
If you are interested in volunteering or to find out more information about supplies needed please email: info@lovecityinc.org or call (502) 272-078.