To help encourage conversations and dialogue about the ways that changing one’s routines and patterns can impact learning, our topic/question for the week is: How can/does a change in your routines help you learn? Changing our Routines (Week of 5/11/20) (This is an anonymous Google Form)
Blake's Guiding Lights
Our Students
Blake's Core Values: Respect, Responsibility, Resourcefulness, Reflection
Our Essential Question: How can we cultivate and curate the progression of student learning and growth?
Our Mission: Blake Middle School believes in a living mission statement, based on the concept that our community seeks and respects knowledge, integrity, character, wisdom, and the willingness to adapt to a continually evolving world.
The most important attitude that can be formed is that of desire to go on learning. - John Dewey
You cannot teach today the same way you did yesterday to prepare students for tomorrow. - John Dewey
Waking up on Saturday morning to snow flakes falling down was a tangible confirmation that the passing of time certainly feels relative right now! We did our best to simply take it easy (something I did not initially think would be hard to do 8 weeks ago when the quarantine period began, but has proven to be a real challenge) this past weekend - taking some walks, yard work, and laying low. It felt strange, yet comforting to have a fire going in the fireplace in May, for sure, and we enjoyed a nice family dinner to celebrate Mother’s Day. For all of the mothers in our community, I hope you had a Happy Mother's Day - and I also want to again convey full recognition that this day can be hard for some/many and ‘create the space’ for support.
The changing light of day and the moods it creates are the foundations of my watercolors. My paintings usually start with a color idea, then evolve into compositions in which color is the primary subject. To me, art is a synthesis of my personal feelings, the subject or colors that inspire me and my materials and techniques. Serenity and simplicity are my primary goals. My goal as a teacher and author is to help other artists achieve their goals. My primary focus is on my students, providing a fun and comfortable environment where they can advance their individual creative skills within an energetic community of artists.
-- Nita Leland
Taking the words from Leland to heart, coupled with my annual intentional effort to acknowledge Mother’s Day in one small way (Katie is a my proofreader and editor - so, a very minor gift is ‘light reading’), the narrative for this week’s Natworthy is brief...some words from Parker Palmer that I read in one of Spark Kindness’s e-mails, a sampling of responses from last week’s Topic/Question, and a post from Phyllis Fagell that is worth reading for all.
Community does not necessarily mean living face-to-face with others; rather, it means never losing the awareness that we are connected to each other.
-- Parker Palmer
Sampling of Responses from Our Last Topic/Question (Week of 5/4/20):
What do you appreciate about the teachers you have had in your life?
- The patience they had to work with me.
- I have always appreciated those who can make a connection that went deeper than the content of the class.
- I appreciate that all of the teachers that I have had in my life, enjoy the subject that they are teaching. They are so enthusiastic, and excited to teach it, that it rubs off and you become excited to learn it. Thank you to all the teachers!
- I appreciate the teachers in my life because they always try to make us better learners and I really appreciate that. Also I care that they are trying their best through this hard time. Thank you teachers for all you do.
- They take time to help us.
- They all care about us as students and are trying their best to educate us during quarantine.
- I appreciate their drive, love of people, and ability to listen!
- They help when I need help.
- I appreciate that they take time out of their schedules to teach us.
- Helpful
- Most of them haven’t just cared about my learning but about my personal life and interests. And they are always willing to talk and help. They have also made being a student much more enjoyable and easy.
- I appreciate how much time teachers put out to help students. I think all the Blake staff do a wonderful job!
- I appreciate how accepting they are.
- I always love how supportive all of my teachers have and how passionate they are with teaching.
- They all are very well and know our soft spots to educate us.
- They’ve all been really helpful, even with my over complicated questions.
- I appreciate how dedicated they are.
- They are always there for me and support me whenever I need it!
- Most of my teachers have been really kind, caring, funny, and I’ve learned a bunch from them, as in life skills and such
- I’ve learned a lot from them. They take their time to teach us and I’m very thankful.
- That they have thought me knew things and they care.
- I appreciate that they always can make you smile.
- I appreciate what they have done for me and what they have taught me in my life
7 Ways Educators Can Help Students Cope in a Pandemic
by Phyllis Fagell (@PFagell) in ASCD Education Update
This brief post from Fagell provides ‘seven ways educators can help kids grieve what they've lost, cope with uncertainty, and adjust to distance learning in a new reality.’ It is a good read and the strategies apply to students and adults alike, particularly with May being #MentalHealthAwarenessMonth.
Prioritize Relationships
Tamp Down the Pressure
Empower Students
Stay Moored in the Moment
Foster Social Connection
Promote Self-Care
Focus on Joy and Simplicity
Under the best of circumstances, children need to know that their world is safe and that they're competent and worthy of respect. That need for reassurance is exponentially higher in the midst of a global pandemic. Students can't solve problems, learn, self-regulate, or exhibit empathy or self-compassion if they're marinating in fear.
I look forward to the work that lies ahead for all of us.
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Enjoy the week and take care.
Nat