Monday, March 18, 2013

Get Up and Dance!

Every teacher knows that each class has its own "personality". This year I feel like I have to be the enforcer. If I give them an inch, they might never come back! So, for the past 136 days, I have monitored, discussed, enforced, and praised. It has been exhausting!

I feel like I haven't been able to be silly or funny or spontaneous with these kiddoes! It makes me sad most days, but I have been afraid of the repercussions.

Today there was a small window of opportunity. Students were eagerly writing infromational texts at their desks and a student requested to have some music on in the background. I have done this with other classes, but like I said, I wasn't sure if this particular class could handle it.

The music started and the kids continued working. A few hummed along. I was able to confer, the music played, and working maintained. After a few minutes, I had forgotten about the music being on. So had many of the students. All of a sudden a favorite song of mine came on... "The Silly Dance Contest".

I was at a crossroads. I could turn it up, dance a little, and have fun with my class. Or, let the song pass by and wonder.

I turned it up. We danced. We laughed. We had fun!

Then I was amazed at how they went right back to their work. They knew how to focus, transition, and amaze me!

Every class has a "personality". Maybe this particular class is getting the balance of work and fun. I am sure glad they have!
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5 comments:

  1. Tara @ A Teaching LifeMarch 18, 2013 at 6:34 PM

    "Then I was amazed at how they went right back to their work. They knew how to focus, transition, and amaze me!"
    All that consistent and loving enforcement paid off! What a glorious moment for all of you.

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  2. JackieMarch 18, 2013 at 6:43 PM

    Thanks for sharing this!! I struggle with this balance with a particular class. A couple weeks ago during Literacy Celebration everybody was making "Literacy Shakes" inspired by the Harlem Shake. I just gave myself over to this project with the kids and they loved it, of course. It didn't solve anything, but it brought me out of my "holding the fort down" stance for at least 30 minutes. (;

    http://youtu.be/JJrDe84N0yA

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  3. travelinmaMarch 18, 2013 at 8:38 PM

    Good for you to take the risk to move with pure joy as a learning community. So relieved that they were able to tackle the task of returning to their work after the "Silly break."

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  4. RamonaMarch 18, 2013 at 9:40 PM

    What fun to be able to let your hair down with a group that has required enforcement all year long. Hurray for seizing that opportunity to be spontaneous and thanks to your hard work, they knew how to go back to work.

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  5. RuthMarch 18, 2013 at 10:33 PM

    How fun! Glad you did it.

    ReplyDelete

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