Friday Focus
Education is about being excited about something!
How can you encourage your earthworms to crawl faster?
When you work at a middle school there are not a lot of things that cause you to quickly turn your head and there are not a lot of questions that catch you off guard. This week I heard a new question being asked to a class of students; "How can you encourage your earthworm to crawl faster?" and it even caused me to think. More on that in a bit.
This science class was being introduced to new concepts, terms, and ideas through an intense single elimination style tournament. I am assuming it was a winner-take-all jackpot too! The students were engaged in the lesson, and everyone had a worm in hand ready to face off with their foe. Anyone that has ever went fishing knows poking the worm with something will make it crawl away quickly; fortunately for the worm this was a humane tournament with no pointy objects. Only water and words of encouragement. The worm racing was designed to introduce the next unit in a fun and exciting way. It begs the question, "Did they even know they were learning?"
The question that was posed, at the most basic meaning, is a question we are all asking right now as well. We are all aware that teaching in the spring is tough and students become easily districted during the school day. They all have a countdown calendar in the remnants of their tattered planner, and the only topic of discussion seems to be summer plans. With this in mind, I can safely assume we are all asking the same question that was asked of this science class: "How can I make my earthworm (student) crawl (learn) faster?"
The answer comes in a variety of ways for each of us, but it boils down to engagement, rapport, and using the positive energy they bring in a productive manner. Easy enough to say, right? Quite honestly, there is a lot of energy to work with right now! This week alone we have worm races, scientifically based carnival games, art shows, math competitions, buckets of rocks worth thousands of dollars, and so much more happening within our walls that students have no choice but to be engaged! OK, they do have a choice, but the vast majority of them are focused and on track; rest assured this is no doubt due to the time and effort you put into designing each lesson, thinking through each interaction, and working for what is best for the students. When the students "Do", they learn and when they interact they remember.
Thank you to each of you for working hard to keep the waning days of the year productive, on task, fun, and memorable for students and staff. Being in education sometimes requires we become "Showmen" and we have a building full of some of the greatest showmen around!
Congratulations to Jeaneth! Jeaneth works in the Middle School Cafeteria. She was recognized for her exceptional contributions to MSD's Food Service!
The Mitchell Kernel Food Service received the Outstanding Employer Recognition Award last week as well. This award is presented to a business that has made exceptional contributions to the lives of people with disabilities and for continuing to recognize abilities over disabilities.