One, two, three, or four. But no more.

The Choice

Kids get to make choices today for our activity. They can either work as individuals, as partners, or as groups of three or four. On their “First Five” cards, many kids indicated working preferences, ranging from “I love working with others” to “I hate working with others.” Of course, it’s not as if I needed them to tell me this. I know this. It’s a reality as old as school itself. But they did tell me, and I implicitly promised to listen when I asked them to share what they needed me to know about them as people, as learners. My hope is that they will discover right away that when I ask for their input, it is not to complete a transaction; it is to create a connection. I will listen. I will respond. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they will always get what they want, but I do want it to necessarily mean that I will listen and meet them where I can, when I can.

No, it is nothing profound to give kids choices in regards to their work preferences. I did not discover or invent magic. I am simply regarding their input. I want them to take something away from today’s experience, and if that means some work alone and some work together for that to happen, then I am okay with their making the best choice for themselves. We don’t always have to take the same path to get to the same place. And I believe when kids get to choose, the experience is more authentic.

Does that mean I always give kids choices about how and with whom they work? Nope. There are times when I intentionally set the stage, but in those times, I try to be as transparent as I can be with my rationale for doing so. And importantly, in those times, I never make the stakes high. Many kids dislike “group work” because it’s hurt their grade. When I pair or group kids, it’s more about the process, the experience than the product.

The Task

I am going to give the kids the 4 R’s today (Roles, Routines, Rights, and Responsibilities). These are the policies and procedures we will live by on our yearlong journey in room 206. They are what I use to set the stage and sustain the story of our time together.

I used to read these to the kids. And part of me still wants to. I like my words. I like my voice. Just being honest. But if I am going to be honest with you, then I have to be honest with myself.

The kids will more likely internalize my message if they work with my message. So, instead of pretending like they are hanging on my every word, I am going to let them discover what parts of my message matter to them. And this is hard (getting less hard) for me. I still feel the pull of thinking I have to say, I have to cover everything. I don’t. I won’t.

Here’s the gist of the task.

• Distribute and (briefly) introduce 4 R’s.
• Ask kids to select work preference.
• Ask them to read/skim with this purpose: What stands out? Why does it matter?
• For each “R,” kids will then capture one thing they “picked up” and why it matters. (This is keeping with our Journey Journal language).
• There will already be 4 long sheets of butcher paper spread across each of the four sections of our seating square.
• Kids will claim their territory on the paper, which is where they will make visible their work to present to the class.
• In whatever manner they choose, they will display each of their four “R’s” explaining what it is, and why it matters. They will also have to either make a rhyme or draw an image that captures its essence. They may do both if they choose and if time allows.
• They will cut their “territory” from the larger sheet and present their work to the class.

Will the kids absorb and keep my entire message? Nope. That’s okay. We have lots of days ahead to live and learn. Will they leave with something that is likely to stick and stay? I hope so.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will experience…

…connecting through Smiles and Frowns.

…the policies and procedures of the class.

…making choices, considering, creating, and presenting.

…reflecting in our Journey Journals.

…hearing a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Friday, all. Have a great weekend.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.