Ever A Learner
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decisions, decisions

8/21/2017

6 Comments

 
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As I write this, we are officially two days into the new school year. I've been at this for over 30 years, most of it in kindergarten. I love the work and it's so challenging. Always has been, always will be. I once heard that the only profession that requires more decisions than teaching, is being an air traffic controller. It's true. How many decisions do you think a teacher makes in an hour, a day, a year? I mean, when my little ones come on that first day, they are ready, willing, and able, but they don't know much about how school, this school, or this classroom work and what's their role in it.
 
That's where I come in. I've thought a LOT (over these last 30 years) and have made thousands of decisions about what I want them to do, how I want them to do it, and how I hope they will grow. One, and just one of many dilemmas, is what kind of paper to give them for the start of writer's workshop--blank, loose sheets, single sheets with a box and lines, or pages already stapled into a writer's journal? In fact, a colleague and I had this conversation again this year. I've tried them all. In the end, I said, "Let's do plain white, individual sheets." Inwardly, I trusted something, but I'm not sure I could have articulated the reason.
 
Then it happened. On the first day of writer's workshop, as I enthusiastically introduced the children to their power to put onto paper all the stories of their lives, one eager author raised her hand. "Can we make real books? Can we fold the paper in half so it's a real book?" A smile started in my heart and spread up and out across my face. "Yes. Yes, you can. You can make a real book."
 
And that's it. Plain, white paper works for a reason. It's a choice that creates the flexibility and freedom to empower children and not hold them back. I had my answer. Later there would be other paper choices—paper with lines, pre-stapled booklets—meeting other children's needs and encouraging everyone forward. But for now, I recognized and reaffirmed something I learned early in my teaching which is the value of open-ended materials. Ahhh, one less decision to make going forward.   


6 Comments
hannanabanana link
8/21/2017 11:23:52 pm

that's so precious! that girl will be a writing teacher one day :)

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Jcareyreads link
8/22/2017 01:09:04 am

Amazing! You made the right choice. Those kids will be so empowered this year. Good luck on your first day!

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Mary Ann Reilly
8/22/2017 01:44:41 am

We are constantly making decisions. I advocate fir the use of unlined paper for beginning writers so that the lines do t add to the confusion of letters ( just think about writing E& F etc and the havoc a line can play. I also appreciate the space unli ed paper affords early writers for drawing. My favorite writing stations are painting stations. Paint, paper on an easel, a smock, and a brush. Little is better. Have a super school year!

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Michelle Haseltine link
8/22/2017 02:42:48 am

I love how you take the reader on your thought process! Plain, white paper! YES! That's my choice every single day. Thank you for sharing this great slice!

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Bonnie Kaplan link
8/22/2017 03:55:17 am

Good luck for a new year coming with fresh kids excited to learn with you. White paper... creating real books. Fantastic that kids are treated with respect
Bonnie

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Erika Victor
8/22/2017 04:42:13 am

It is all the little things that do or do not matter- depending on who you are. As a messy writer, unlined paper makes me nervous, but I can see some of my students definitely prefer it. I guess the real answer is to listen to and watch your students.

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    Becca Kesler

    I teach kindergarten at an independent school in Hawaii. The joy of young, curious learners delights me. I'm passionate about my practice, always striving to meet the needs of the children and their families.

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