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While reading the Art of Possibility I kept thinking the book was talking directly to me…corny I know! I have been having a difficult time reaching my new class this school year, they are unmotivated to learn and unwilling to take responsibility for their actions. I have attempted just about everything I have up my sleeve. I have had to take a step back and re-analyze my job. As I was reading the statement “how much greatness are we will to grant?” (p. 73). It is my job to inspire and bring out the best qualities these kids have, as the book said I am going to have to speak to their passions. I am going to have make connection with them. These chapters made me feel like I can still go in a make a difference. I have been feeling a little defeated and needed something to give me inspirations. I think this was it. I am looking forward to making a change!
Daniela,
ReplyDeleteI have been there with the class that seems so hard to reach. It is not a great place to be. I think that you have the right idea in thinking about seeing what they are passionate about. Sometimes it is hard to find passion in the uninspired, but once you do that you will have them for life. My advice, sit back...take a deep breath...and listen to them as they talk...their passion will reveal itself to you!
Heather
PS: I'm glad I'm not the only one who thought this book was written for them. It is such an awesome feeling to find a book that speaks to you! I've been reading excerpts to anyone that will listen to me!!
Daniela
ReplyDeleteI agree that it is our job to bring out the best qualities in these kids it is also our job to make sure that we don’t stop or stifle their unique motivations. I think these students come to us with an open mind to every possibility they could think of taking on some where in their development they lose or forget that they once believed any thing was possible. I think that is something we as adults have to relearn.
Hi Daniela,
ReplyDeleteYou post reminded me of a first grade teacher I worked with in Berkeley. Her class had a "hippie" thinking Kindergarten teacher who thought they were there to just have a good time and be free. They had no idea what it meant to follow rules and stay in their seats. When I first went in her classroom it reminded me of the locked psych ward at the VA hospital that the book "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's" was based on. Over time the class settled somewhat but she also had to change her perspective and ignore some of the odd behaviors in order to teach. She used to apologize when I observed but I completely understood. You may want to try putting the most difficult students in charge so they can start having some empathy. It worked for a friend counseling the baddest of the bad teenage offenders.
So much of what we bring out of our students comes from revealing the passion we have within ourselves. Sharing ourselves and listening to what they have to share generally gets the wheels moving, but it can be difficult when they've learned to turn off their enthusiasm because they've been punished in the past for being "unruly."
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