School Bells – Current Affairs – Grade 8 – Week 38
This is the last week of class for this school term. I still am not sure whether the school budget and schedule will allow me to return next year. Even though I am not paid, the limited budget may dictate that this time has to be used for another subject.
The students are now arriving.
Me: Good morning class.
Class: Good morning Mr. Jim. Cookies?
Me: Yes, there are cookies. Susie and Will please pass them out.
I am eager to hear your critique of the class this year and whether there is one thing from the class you want to hold on to.
Tom: My family and I talked about this. We have done more talking about important topics then we ever did before. We want to continue to do that.
Me: That is great Tom. Thanks for sharing that.
Ann: My family and I really like that we are learning to accept that no one has the answers. We are learning to listen. Mom and dad both said that they are better listeners at work and other places I think I want to keep listening.
Me: I love that insight. Thanks Ann.
Amena: When my family and I talked about this the word respect came up a lot. We all feel that our opinions matter. It feels good to be respected.
Me: That is wonderful Amena. I love that each of you feel your opinion matters.
Paul: Uncle Jim we have always had these sorts of discussions at home and with you but not in a class before. We may be young but we are learning that we can talk about many different issues. If we can do that now we can do that as adults. It seems that often politicians and others talk past each other.
Me: That is a great observation Paul. Hold on to that.
Susie: Our family talked about the fact that now when we watch a television program, read a book, go to an art exhibit or a music performance we share our thoughts and then sometimes we look up more information. We are learning to think out loud and to communicate. Thanks Mr. Jim.
Me: You are welcome Susie. I love that you are doing that. Perhaps the art of conversation is not dead!
Will: My family and I talked about the fact that we know that all the issues we talked about were important to all of us and our families. We do not feel so different and alone. We are more likely to bring up topics with other people.
Me: That is great Will. Sometimes us humans create differences because of sorts of reasons. Race was never about race or the pigmentation of one’s skin. It was about power, money and trying to prove that some people were better than. We humans frequently do not think we are enough. Then we convince ourselves that we are different because of gender, age, race, color, size, money and or superficial differences.
Abdul: My family and I have not always felt safe to express an opinion but now we are more likely to do so. We know that we have to speak up if we want to be part of the solution.
Me: That is wonderful Abdul.
John: I have decided to try to join the debate team next year. In our family, we no longer have arguments. We have debates. Changing the name to debates makes a huge difference.
Me: Wow. I am impressed with all of you. As you can see I have been writing theses down on the white board. Would it be okay if I turned them over to Mrs. Stanford to see if she can get permission to post them on our Facebook page?
Class: Yes. (The clap)
Me: Tom and Abdul please pass out the cookies. I am going to miss you this summer. I know all of you will be in and out of town but when you are in town you can call or text Paul or I to see if it is a baking Saturday at my house. You know this is also a discussion time. If it is a baking Saturday and your parents give you permission. you are welcome to join us. Your parents are also welcome. You have my phone number and my email address already. Some of you also have Paul’s phone number.
Thank you for making this time such a fun and good learning time for me.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Class: Thanks Mr. Jim.
This is the last week of class for this school term. I still am not sure whether the school budget and schedule will allow me to return next year. Even though I am not paid, the limited budget may dictate that this time has to be used for another subject.
The students are now arriving.
Me: Good morning class.
Class: Good morning Mr. Jim. Cookies?
Me: Yes, there are cookies. Susie and Will please pass them out.
I am eager to hear your critique of the class this year and whether there is one thing from the class you want to hold on to.
Tom: My family and I talked about this. We have done more talking about important topics then we ever did before. We want to continue to do that.
Me: That is great Tom. Thanks for sharing that.
Ann: My family and I really like that we are learning to accept that no one has the answers. We are learning to listen. Mom and dad both said that they are better listeners at work and other places I think I want to keep listening.
Me: I love that insight. Thanks Ann.
Amena: When my family and I talked about this the word respect came up a lot. We all feel that our opinions matter. It feels good to be respected.
Me: That is wonderful Amena. I love that each of you feel your opinion matters.
Paul: Uncle Jim we have always had these sorts of discussions at home and with you but not in a class before. We may be young but we are learning that we can talk about many different issues. If we can do that now we can do that as adults. It seems that often politicians and others talk past each other.
Me: That is a great observation Paul. Hold on to that.
Susie: Our family talked about the fact that now when we watch a television program, read a book, go to an art exhibit or a music performance we share our thoughts and then sometimes we look up more information. We are learning to think out loud and to communicate. Thanks Mr. Jim.
Me: You are welcome Susie. I love that you are doing that. Perhaps the art of conversation is not dead!
Will: My family and I talked about the fact that we know that all the issues we talked about were important to all of us and our families. We do not feel so different and alone. We are more likely to bring up topics with other people.
Me: That is great Will. Sometimes us humans create differences because of sorts of reasons. Race was never about race or the pigmentation of one’s skin. It was about power, money and trying to prove that some people were better than. We humans frequently do not think we are enough. Then we convince ourselves that we are different because of gender, age, race, color, size, money and or superficial differences.
Abdul: My family and I have not always felt safe to express an opinion but now we are more likely to do so. We know that we have to speak up if we want to be part of the solution.
Me: That is wonderful Abdul.
John: I have decided to try to join the debate team next year. In our family, we no longer have arguments. We have debates. Changing the name to debates makes a huge difference.
Me: Wow. I am impressed with all of you. As you can see I have been writing theses down on the white board. Would it be okay if I turned them over to Mrs. Stanford to see if she can get permission to post them on our Facebook page?
Class: Yes. (The clap)
Me: Tom and Abdul please pass out the cookies. I am going to miss you this summer. I know all of you will be in and out of town but when you are in town you can call or text Paul or I to see if it is a baking Saturday at my house. You know this is also a discussion time. If it is a baking Saturday and your parents give you permission. you are welcome to join us. Your parents are also welcome. You have my phone number and my email address already. Some of you also have Paul’s phone number.
Thank you for making this time such a fun and good learning time for me.
Ring! Ring! Ring!
Class: Thanks Mr. Jim.
RSS Feed