“Make sure you learn something new today!”

Those were the parting words from my Momma everyday as we would head off to school. My parents grew up in rural Louisiana in the 1950’s where not being educated meant a hard, very hard life. They experienced first hand that obtaining a thorough education was the catalyst to new opportunities and a new life. For my sister, brother, and me growing up in our parents’ household meant doing your best in school. It was the rule, not the exception, no excuses. If you needed help, you better ask for it. Put forth your best effort. Don’t waste your privilege to be educated.

Try your best.
Need help, ask.
Make the most of each occassion.

When I first entered the classroom, I wanted to share this responsibility of learning with my kiddos. The goal was to put in their hearts and minds the eagerness and drive to learn that my parents had given me. Gosh that sounds kinda deep. I really just didn’t want to feel like I had to be in charge of  everything… preparing the lesson, teaching the lesson, and understanding it for the kiddos and their parents.

Task? How to make participating their responsibility? Well, I became my Momma. 😉 As part of our morning routine as the kiddos entered the classroom, I would ask, “Do you know what you want to learn today?” I would state, “I hope you learn something new today.” Or, “Look for new things today… books, ideas, friends.”

It really is all about being mindful. It also helped to end our day. You know as the kiddos see their caregivers, the question will be, “What did you do today?” You’ve worked hard all day, you don’t want their reply to be, “Nothing” or “I don’t know.” So as part of our getting ready for dismissal routine I would say in a sing-songy way..

“Hey, hey, what do you say? What did you learn in school today?”

I got the idea from an inservice. The suggestion was to chart/record the kiddos responses to the above question as a way to review the day. This review will be the last thing on their minds as they see their caregivers. I was usually rushing around with last minutes details for dismissal to chart/record their responses, just being real with ya. 😉 We typically did “turn-and-talk” with their table mates or carpet buddy.
My questions…

• Which anxcillary class did you go to? What did you work on?
• What books did I read aloud to the class today? Favorite parts? Surprising parts?
• What books did you read in your book boxes today?
• What did you work on during Daily 5 rotations? Word Work, Work on Writing, etc…
• What Math station did you work on? What did you write on your recording sheet?
• What new term or vocabulary word did you become familiar with today?
• What was something funny that happened today?
• What songs did we sing?

What are your “last words out the door” to your kiddos?

Until time, learn something new,