3.05.2011

Changes.

This week, I was greeted with a wonderful surprise. When we returned from our winter break I was nervous about the behaviors I might encounter after so much time off. To my delight, not only were there no behavior issues from our respite, but the friends who struggled with some of our class rules had seemingly grown up.

A few little boys who often spent time in our Rest Stop thinking about their actions had just simply stopped their trips to the chair. Our first day back, I thought they were either tired or in shock about their return to school. By the second and third day back, I knew something had shifted. By Friday, I was on could nine… my little kindergartners were becoming first graders before my eyes.

We have a lot more to learn before our time together is over and it appears my sprouts are just a little more serious about school. To be clear, we still are having fun, dancing and singing our hearts out and finding time for silliness… but when it’s time to focus on our learning, it seems we’re all a lot more focused now.

The hugs haven’t diminished either. In fact, they seem to have increased. Perhaps it was the time away from each other or maybe it’s just a realization that, after our one hundredth day together, our time is limited, but whatever the reason, the hugs are constant. What I love most are the hugs from kids who almost never offer them up… like a rare gem, when I’m least expecting it, I’ll feel arms wrapped around me, look down and see a face I wasn’t expecting.

I am always telling my class you never stop learning… I often use myself as an example and try to highlight when I learn something new. This week, I discovered the magic of March in kindergarten… and those pesky enchanted leprechauns haven’t even visited us yet.

6 comments:

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Books That Heal Kids said...

oh my gosh. I need to hear more about this "Rest Shop" love the name!

Mr. Halpern said...

Roxanne - 'Rest Stop' is just the name we use for our 'take a break'/'time out' seat... it comes from Responsive Classroom and connotes a positive space to collect thoughts and 'rest' before returning. We do NOT give a time limit, but leave it up to children to self regulate and decide when they're ready to come back - we really stress it is NOT a punishment too. :)

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Unknown said...

this seems to happen sometimes in preschool as well...the children you worry and worry about...who seem to struggle come back from a break understanding concepts we have been struggling with for a long time! (I think we all need a break now and then to really internalize the learning!) I also LOVE the fact that you use yourself as an example of life long learning-what could be better than seeing that your teacher is still learning?!

Lessons from the Boys said...

Isn't it great when they surprise you!