How do we prepare for the unexpected?
As a teacher, everyday is different, different student, families and circumstances that are out of our control. I think what defines a teacher is the way they deal with the unexpected. We already know that we must prepare for the unexpected, to become flexible and to adapt to the change. Every moment can be viewed as a teachable moment if capitalized the right way and some of the best learning comes from things that were never planned or just scratching the lesson plan and going with the unexpected.
In Staying past Wednesday, a teacher must deal with uncomfortable feelings and how to deal with death. In our culture, we try not to talk about death and it has become a hush hush topic of conversation. The teacher in the story does the opposite and deals with these uncomfortable feelings head on. She allows students to talk about their feelings and let them feel all the different types of feelings they have. I know when our class pet guinea pig died last year I was also faced with this dilemma. I didn’t know how to approach this topic, are the children to young for such a heavy topic? I decided that we needed to have a conversation about it and to talk the children through whatever they were feeling. We are constantly talking about feelings and allowing the children to accept all feelings. In the end, the children could work through all of the steps of grieving and to really understand the whole process. As I shared this process with the families, I actually had one parent ask me why I didn’t just buy a new guinea pig because the children would have never known. I had to explain that this a natural part of life that they will have to face sooner or later and I wanted to provide an open opportunity for each child to deal with their feelings in a healthy manner.
The second reading talks about how a teacher reacts to a sensitive subject with her coworkers. I think it is important for all children to know that not everyone celebrates the same holidays. It provides an opportunity for children to be less egocentric and to understand and explore the world and different countries. I don’t think that the teacher was trying to offend anyone or his or her culture but it did come off that way. It must be hard to prepare for the unexpected when it is dealing with colleagues. It’s one thing to constantly be on your toes with the students but I’m sure it can throw you off when it comes from your colleagues.
In New possibilities, It discusses different types of obstacles other teachers had to go through. It reminds everyone that life is unexpected. Things never goes as planned. Reading all of these women’s stories goes to show that it doesn’t matter what happens, what matters is how you deal with it. “Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom.” –George S. Patton
First I would like commend on you work guinea pig. I believe thats a great and appropriate way to deal with this situation. Children do need to face these tragic situations and this is a perfect way to do it because they have there classmates and teachers to talk to. A lot of people think that young children are not ready to deal with these situations but I agree with you that they are ready and need to start realizing at this age in order to be stronger when the grow up. This will teach them how to deal with these kind of situations so later on they are able to manage these emotions on their own.
ReplyDeleteHello Sarah,
ReplyDeleteHow do we prepare for the unexpected? I think that we people can learn what to do and how to do from the past. We are getting stronger and stronger after dealing with difficult situations. I agree with what you thought and did when your class pet Guinea passed away. It is true that it is a difficult topic for young children to deal with death. I feel uncomfortable,too. However, it is also learning experience for them to develop their emotional and social skills. I have learned that we as teachers can read books to children about pet loss.
When I was a child, my class had some rabbits. We all took turns to take care of the rabbits. They were our friends. We cried and cried when someone killed them because our rabbits did not do anything wrong. They were innocent! I remembered that our teacher suggested to write a letter to our rabbits and draw pictures of our rabbits. I felt that we could share the grief through working together. That was a sadness memory but it was also one of learning experiences for young children.
Aloha Sarah,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your story about that passing of the class guinea pig. Last week a parent approached me to see if my class wanted to have a baby guinea pig from a liter they just had. I thought about it and just couldn't do it for fear it would die after everyone ( esp. me) got attached to it. I also have never had a pet because when I was little I asked my father if we got a puppy, would it live as long as me and he said "no." so I never wanted a pet if it could be with me forever. I guess that I would be sailing over uncharted territory by getting a pet, at least I won't be alone, I'll have my whole class. Hmmm, maybe thats the key as to how children cope best, they prefer to share feelings because then it doesn't feel like their alone.
Thank you for sharing and allowing me to come to a great revelation!
-Taira Q.
Hi Sarah,
ReplyDeleteYou share how a teacher responds to the unexpected defines the teacher. This is an interesting way to think about how teachers can be defined. I wonder how actions might describe the teacher. For example, if a teacher changes the subject when children talk about death, what might this imply the teacher believes about teaching and learning? If a teacher stops, listens to the child, and then asks questions in response to the child's expression, what might it imply the teacher believes about teaching and learning? Are there other situations you might consider?
This has me thinking -- what would be implied about a teacher who encourages blogging and sharing of experiences in response to texts? :)
Jeanne
Always, expect the unexpected...
ReplyDeleteThe unexpected is what can make or break a teacher. Like you said you have to adapt and be willing to change according to each situation. It's great you think that way, not so many people do and it sets them back and away from so much more they could learn. You have to show the kids that you too are learning all the time, you make mistakes and are willing to change to fix those mistakes.
I really liked how you handled the guinea pig situation. A lot of times, adults underestimate what children actually understand and know. You were able to use that situation as a tool for learning with the kids. I think kids can become less sensitive with subjects such as death, when it's not so foreign to them and is introduced early on. I have a girl in my class who's mother passed away when she was 2. When school first started, I heard the story of what happened and I didn't really know how to approach it with her. Well, I didn't because she broke the ice and talked about it first. I was in awe just listening to how she talks about her mom without shedding a single tear. It makes me so proud and astonished that someone at the age of 4 can have much more strength than I could ever have at age 27! There's surely a lot i've learned from her. Anytime mothers are mentioned, she comfortably shares, "my mommy died and is in heaven now." It's never a saddening task for her, as her face always lights up when she's given the chance to talk about her mom. She also gives that reality to the other children in the class as they all have both of their parents. They become curious and ask her questions which she is able to answer with confidence and positivity.
We have so much more to learn, from the young children we come into contact with. Keep up the good work :)