I teach at an academically-successful upper NW school which has all the supplies and support it needs. Every student’s situation is not perfect but generally the kids are well-behaved and able to be reasoned with.
Well, twice this year our students have had interactions with students from other schools, and the exposure has opened their eyes a little.
While visiting a far NE middle school, some of our sixth graders heard their sixth graders cursing. Our sixth graders asked one of our teachers, “Should we tell those other sixth grade students that we’re offended by the language they’re using?” The teacher’s response was, “I suggest you don’t.”
Then our band students visited an elementary school in one of the roughest neighborhoods in DC. One student reported (I wasn’t there) that the kids there were “sooo bad.” the listening students were so loud that the students could absolutely not hear what was being played, and the PE teacher kept blowing his whistle during the performance to quiet them. After the performance, some of the students from the home school began tossing the bass drum around!
This student’s parents had debriefed with him at home about this experience. They told him that many schools in the district were like that and that he was at a good school. I don’t know if they encouraged him to appreciate what he had, but I encouraged him to. I also told him that seeing other children play in a band may have been an inspiration for other kids at the home school, which is in the beginning stages of having its own band.
Once during a parent-teacher conference, I heard another set of parents stating how lucky their kids were to be in our school, considering the state of so many DCPS schools.
I say all that to say this: I think our schools should do more interchanges so people can be reminded that not everyone lives like we live. No matter which side of DC you live on (or MD or VA), not everyone lives like you. Exposure helps you see the opportunities, blessings, and perspectives of other parts of your nearby world. Furthermore, I hope this type of exposure, followed by discussions, will help us empathize more.
WTU Peterson Slate: Not a 1 Woman Dictatorship
7 years ago
Hopefully the next time a student makes the reference that other students are sooo bad, one of the adults present will correct them. I bring this to the attention of my students all the time. You are not bad because you make bad choices. We all have 'bad behavior' from time to time- even adults. With education all students can learn replacement words and better coping skills which are socially acceptable. Name an adult who in the heat of an argument with their significant other hasn't used inappropriate language ?
ReplyDeleteSteering students from making value judgements of others is the point. There before the grace of God, go I. I have heard affluent students curse, disrespect their parents and others and a host of other ills. The point is they just may be more covert than students from a lower socio-economic background. All of our children need our guidance regardless of the part of town they live in.
While a teachable moment, it is also a reminder that stuents even in upper NW have issues of their own to deal with as well. My mantra is none of us are perfect. ;--) I know first hand because I use to work in upper NW, now I am in SE DC in Ward 8.
An interesting post. I think a lot of folks would be surprised what goes on in the poor districts.
ReplyDeleteWhat percentage of your school is free and reduced lunch?
ReplyDeleteWashington Teacher, how would you translate what happened to this 9-year old in a "socially acceptable" way? Remember, he didn't see ONE student acting this way. It was schoolwide.
ReplyDeleteThere are students in my school who curse and act crazy, but we've had one suspension that I know of all year and the students I've heard curse (6th graders) do so under their breath.
I agree that we shouldn't make value judgments, but I'm old enough to understand reasons why a school en masse may be behaviorally out of control. How do you explain that to a 9-year old?
Anonymous, my school is 3% free and reduced lunch.
I would explain it Progressive Educator by saying to the 9 year old that behavior is learned. We aren't born cursing and acting crazy. Part of the problems that I see in schools including my school, we as a system don't do enough to reinforce positive behavior school-wide.
ReplyDeleteMy school used PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention & Support) and it was effective in reducing a lot of the negative behavior and reducing our suspension rates. We colleted data and learned that mostly all we did was punish our students school wide. We did not teach them how to modify their behavior, teach them replacement words or coping skills and at the time had no peer mediation programs.
Unfortunately, we ( the adults) at my school fell off the PBIS wagon and our students behavior deteriorated again. Sort of like being on a diet. Our PBIS coach once came out and interviewd our students and she gave our staff a real tongue lashing saying that even though we started off good, we made promises to our students and as time progressed we the staff did not deliver on rewards that students had earned for good behavior. Certainly, this was disappointing to our students and din't reinforce appropriate behavior in the long term.
I think this PBIS program, developed by a teacher is a great start to help schools that have significant behavioral issues. Of course we need a combination approach to make sure that we also have the supports in place for those students that have more serious behavioral challenges and may need school counseling and other remedies.