Lots a noise where we livin’.

Lots a bitterness. Lots a division.

Lots a shoutin’. And not enough listenin’.

Not gonna wade into it. But I am on a mission.

I will not use this platform for politics, but I will use it as an opportunity to share what I am trying to do in my classroom to help kids find their voices, so they may be more than noise through my Project Be a Voice.

To kick things off, here is a list of questions that I will ask my kids today. They will first write their own responses on a Think Sheet, then share their thinking within their groups, and finally we will discuss as a class.

• What’s the difference between being heard and being listened to?
• Why do we listen to some people and not others?
• Why are opinions important to society? How do they help? How do they hurt?
• What’s an argument?
• Based on your definition of argument, who wins the argument?
• What do you consider good evidence?
• What is truth?
• Where do opinions come from?
• What are the traits of a good listener? Are you a good listener?
• When are our own voices put to the test? Whom do we need to listen to us? How do we know if others are listening?
• Do people listen to you? How do you know? Why do they or don’t they listen to you?
• Do you feel like you have a voice? Why?

From here, we will then journey forth into learning about using rhetoric and argumentation, identifying what matters to us, and finding and developing our voices so that we may be listened to. And that is what I want for my kids. I want them to be voices. We don’t need more noise. Already got plenty of that.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will…

...begin with Smiles and Frowns.

…respond to and discuss questions about voice.

…reflect in our Journey Journals.

…end with a Sappy Sy Rhyme.

Happy Monday, all. Let’s have a great week.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.