It’s my curse. I’m flexible to a fault. I know this. I own this. I am this. I give my kids too much freedom. And though I believe such flexibility is necessary to create situations that promote responsibility, it sometimes bites me in the butt. One sizable chunk from my derriere comes in the form of kids’ doing work from other classes in my class. And while I have grudgingly turned a blind eye in the past, it has never really sit well with me, and this summer I vowed to come up with a plan to address this issue. I presented the idea in one of my Reflection’s Reality posts this summer, A Matter of Priority.

Basically, I decided to marry my flexibility to my priority. I still want to give kids room, freedom, grace, but I want them to understand the responsibility that comes with the flexibility I grant. I want them to understand that we both have priorities and sometimes those priorities don’t match, and things get out of balance. That’s going to happen. So, when it happens, I have come up with a system that will eventually set things right again, allowing for flexibility, priority, and responsibility to work in concert. Yesterday, I introduced the plan to my kiddos.

The Lifeline

Sometimes life gets in the way. Sometimes we all need some grace. Sometimes we need a lifeline.

My class is not my kids’ lives. It is but a small part of their lives. And sometimes the other parts of their lives get in the way of their lives in my fifty-five-minute world. They have priorities. We all have priorities. And sometimes we live at the whim of those priorities, and such whimsy is not always easy for others to understand. I try to understand such whimsicality–another curse.

Yesterday, I gave each kid two lifeline tickets for those times when their whimsy visits and they need a break. Here’s the basic premise.

1. Kids may use their lifelines to attend to the other parts of their lives they bring with them. This could be the monster math test they have the next period or the bad day that just won’t let go. They may use them on any day. No restrictions.
2. They only get two per semester. If they do not use them, they may carry them over to the next semester.
3. A lifeline does not excuse or exempt them from the work in the class. It just buys them some flexibility.
4. Two lifelines may not be enough for some to make it through the semester. Life doesn’t come in standardized models (despite what we perpetuate in school). So, in addition, I offer another lifeline of sorts: time for time. If John needs to spend fifteen minutes on his math assignment that’s due the next period, then he owes me fifteen minutes of his time. This is an honor system that lives or dies with kids’ honoring their commitment. One no-show by John, then he loses access to this particular lifeline. Why not just tell kids no? I could. But I believe their minds will likely be elsewhere anyway, and I don’t want them stressing out. I just want them to own it by working with me in these situations, not trying to sneak and do their work from other classes.

Crazy? Maybe. Better fixed by a stronger hand? Not convinced. Different than other teachers? Intentionally. Better requires change. Change necessitates different. So, I do different. Better? Only until I find my next better. Always chasing better.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will…

…begin with Smiles and Frowns.

…hear our Mindset Mantra.

…engage in our first Discovery Day: two poems and picture. Looking for themes.

…reflect in our Journey Journals.

…end with a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Wednesday, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.