A School's Culture: Through the Eyes of Them

This story is a little non-fiction and a lot fiction. It integrates what I have discovered from talking to my students, what happened to me growing up with moving so frequently, and what I imagine someone would be going through after Harvey. I never had to rebuild after a hurricane, but fires and earthquakes shaped my landscape. Either way, changing schools is hard any way you look at it. School culture impacts these fragile students as soon as they enter the building. As a teacher, I constantly am reminded, with every new face that enters my classroom, that they may put on a brave face, but inside they are vulnerable and scared. I am determined to make connections with every student as soon as I meet them. I want them to feel that what they hear about our school is true, we are a safe, positive place to learn.

Observation and Imagination 

The alarm clock chimes....6:00 am. Just enough time for them to grab a quick shower and bite to eat, before they head out to the bus stop. It feels so normal in a way, getting ready for school, yet so foreign, almost surreal, after what they just went through. They sit, eating a banana, imagining this new school is happy and fun. They are a bit worried, fretting about meeting new people, they often struggle to fit in.

A new living arrangement, new hand me downs, a fresh layer of both anticipation and anxiety. They make their way to a corner, inhabited by the 'regulars', they seem comfortable there. Several different groups have formed, each with a different energy. The bus stop is their first impression of the populace, so far so good, they think, no one has noticed me yet. It is a warm September morning, and the dialogue is centered around, whose house flooded and whose didn't. They are comparing notes.

While some are in conversation, others are new to this arena, like themselves, and are standing alone, hesitant to join the crowd. They, just stand quietly, listening, noticing that these kids have gone through the same thing they have. They braved a hurricane, lost their possessions and are still unsure of their near future, but they know for today, they are attending school.

They have heard good things about this school, but to them it is just hearsay. They won't feel comfortable until they have made it to all their classes, met their teachers and know that they are safe. They are mere observers right now, perched just on the outskirts waiting for eye contact to lure them in. They imagine making a friend today. They miss their usual, normal routine. The familiar faces they are used to.

The Wider View

The building looks huge, as the bus rolls into the back-parking lot. They scan their surroundings, noticing just a few trailers. Their old school had many, almost lining the practice field. It is still dark out; the lights are clouded by a thin layer of fog. For a moment, it feels mysterious and they have the urge to turn and run in the other direction. They don't. They keep walking with the crowd, they still have not been acknowledged. Then as they are funneled through the main doors, a smiling face is greeting students as they enter. Students are hugging one another and several adults that are in the main entrance hall. 

They stop in their tracks. Causing several students to collide behind them. A gentle reach, a friendly repositioning and before them, leaning down, a sympathetic, loving face, eye contact, and kind words. Somehow, they know I am new here, they think. They continue to smile, "Welcome, we are so happy you are here today," this puts them at ease. They feel a connection to this place instantly. They feel relieved and calmer. Now all they must do is find the strength to speak. "Thank you," they say shyly. "Can I help you find your classroom?" "Thank you, that would be cool." The day begins for them, not with an adult leading them down the hallway, but a fellow student. They have just met their first friend.

A Strange New World

That first day is long behind them. It is the week before Thanksgiving. They have made many friends. Their teachers know them by name, make eye contact and most of them are jovial and happy. Some classrooms are boring, but they muddle through. Others are full of life: every student a giant pine, spreading its branches. Creating a forest through the trees. Collectively, sheltering one another and working collaboratively to keep the dense forest alive and thriving. It is these habitats they appreciate. Forests prosper and flourish because of the relationships, the balance, the equilibrium. This harmony is constantly challenged, it needs work to maintain itself, but somehow it progresses, if it is left alone to do so. This school to them, feels like a giant forest, evergreen and ever mindful.

This school where they have found a niche, a personal terrain, is a positive one. There are places where the energy can be negative. There are bullies, but they are recognized, like predators and are dealt with. There is no territory that is perfect. There will always be mean people. Unfriendly people. But, here, the mindful, nice people, far outweigh the negative ones. This is felt everywhere. Especially in the hallways as they are addressed at every doorway and in their classrooms where teachers have expectations and are consistent with their behavior. This creates a familiarity both comforting and secure. 

The most important aspects of a positive school culture, for them, is acceptance, acknowledgement and awareness. All of which permeate these hallways. But, in their eyes, there is room for improvement. A forest can only prevent blight and deforestation, if it never takes its survival for granted. A school’s culture can only blossom and expand if its strength becomes galvanized in continual community and character driven interaction. If doors are open, adults are smiling and networking; with students and each other. There needs to be a symbiosis both endearing and welcoming that takes place. Each member connected in a web of positivity.

Nature's Tapestry: A School's Culture

A school, like nature, is a living, breathing entity. Each part integral to its survival. A cacophony, of noise, focus and ideas, swirling and integrating. The vibration of many thoughts, forming one. A chain reaction of cause and effect. While some are privileged, others hindered. While some flourish, others struggle. This disadvantage can occur, not only by lack of monetary means. But, just as devastatingly, by a disregard of mindful awareness. 

This blight, disregard and disassociation, ravishes the vegetation causing a trophic cascade, a destructiveness seemingly irreversible. A mildew that creeps in often unnoticed. This infestation is silence, seeped in negativity. A contamination of spirit. A scourge not only damaging the flow of energy, but the will to overcome its halting. If we remain quiet when such an affliction occurs, we allow it to devour us from the inside out. We must take a deep look at our culture, every day. We must eliminate the pessimism. Extinguish the annulling, invalidating speech. Once the words are spoken they poison joy and corrupt even the most idealistic of people.

However, with the reintroduction of key stone species' and balancing factors, a healing process can provide a rebirth. Even the smallest of changes can cause a positive domino effect. Remember that first moment when they entered the building? They were put at ease by the genuine, honest words of a fellow student. This needs to occur every day, like a circadian rhythm.

Adults need this same encouragement. If the reticence is replaced by generosity, the spread of negativity will wane. In the immortal words of Phil Collins "You can't hurry love." No matter how long it takes, you must keep trying. It is give and take. It is words and action. It is a flow of energy, like in that thriving forest, where every organism plays a part. You remove a prominent species and collapse is imminent. Heal the habitat and the ecosystem will recover. It all starts with a choice: one to make a difference.

The Next Chapter

The bell rings and as students pack up for the holiday break, they are excited to have a week off. They look around their classroom and remember the first time they entered it, all those months ago. They feel comfortable here. Safe here. The hearsay was right, they smile, they exit the room in a pack of friends. They make their way down the hallway and out to the bus.

The building doesn't feel so big now. They wave goodbye to their friends and make their way to their bus. Several teachers and administrators are gathered nearby. "Have a great Thanksgiving," they say with a joyful smile. "We will see you in a week." They return the gesture with a "You too." and with no anxiety, they happily climb aboard. Knowing when they return, this safe haven will welcome them with open arms.

Vantage Point, Unique

The moment seems to slow time itself, I am watching from a vantage point, unique. My beloved object, gravity against it, falls to the floor. Impact.

The sound like no other, shatters the silence, shutting my eyes, jarring my body with a deep, intense shiver. In this moment, I feel cold, distant, frozen. The sharpness of reality, erasing a part of me, long entangled with the heirloom's presence.

A keepsake once embodying a memory: now shards, splinters, shavings of the past, strewn across the tile floor. The dust of its demise still swirling above.

The instant, pause, respite between what just happened and realization seems to be at a stand still. I remain motionless, staring at the fragments. Not sure if I will cry or just stare. I cry.

I am an adult and I am crying at a loss. A forfeiture of attachment. The floor is cold on my legs as I sit beside the pile. The aggregation becomes something new. Each segment taking on a life of its own. Whispering comfort.

The tears slow and stop suddenly. I simply gaze upon the assortment of porcelain and glass lovingly, releasing the sadness. A mosaic of childhood, adolescence, motherhood jumbled in a dusty mound. I tear up again.

But, the colors begin to talk to me, sighing with a sense of calm and peace. I feel my grandmother near, smiling. "Life is anything but fair." This is an object, material and impermanent. Where she is eternal.

I sit in a stupor for what seems like hours, but my family is behind me seconds after the noise reverberates. They sit beside me, understanding my bereavement and remaining quiet.

Deep breath. Focus. The fatality of this part of me, this connection to her, is final. I see her in my thoughts now: as a child she is hugging me, as an adolescent she is giving me advice that still lives inside me. It has grown around me like a giant embrace, from her. Shaping me, even today.

I have lost something today that meant the world to me. I gained however, an insight I had let slip away, into the crevices of my mind. A beautiful energy. An essence of her, no longer represented by a fragile statue. But a vantage point, unique.

Nostalgia: How 1980's Music Rejuvenated My Spirit: Part Two

What makes 80's music timeless, to me at least: optimism, honesty, diversity and of course that synthesizer, bringing it all together. Of course they embody heartbreak, overcoming adversity, and the opulence of the decade, but rather than being a message of 'me, me, me and selfies', they were more focused on our individual drive to find our place in the world, in a world where we were equal, not better than. With every note we felt united, a part of something bigger, even when we didn't know, that that is what we wanted.

The music, a cacophony of imagination, inspiration and idealism gave every adolescent of the time, a voice. We were focused on how we were alike, not on how we were different. Even the movies made us feel like an ensemble of explorers, each a road map to understanding ourselves. There were big haired, make-up coated singers screaming "We Are the Champions," and the first ever all girl band shouting, "We Got the Beat." Even Don Henley never gave up, "My love for you will still be strong when the 'Boys of Summer' are gone." Of course there were songs of self-platitude and individualism, but more often than not, they were about solving problems not dwelling on them. Sharing our grief and unhappiness and forming an entourage of commonality. We saw the good in people. The potential in one another. The pride in adolescence and changing the world.

If you create a playlist of the 80's music, that thrived throughout the decade, and just listen to the lyrics, feel the vibration of spirit, it will make its presence known to you. It will resonate. In every generation there are those singer-songwriters that shape a generation. The 1960's: The Beatles. The 1970's Simon and Garfunkel, ABBA, The Bee Gees. The 1980's, for me, some of the artists that are timeless and transformative are Prince, Oingo Boingo and the Cure. Their songs are still impactful today. They are both expressive of the time and optimistic for today. Next time you are looking for a flashback, give them a listen and they will rejuvenate your spirit, one song at a time.

Give "Elegia" by New Order, a listen, it is an instrumental piece, but the heart wrenching notes and melancholy vibe will instantly take you back, not to just your adolescence or childhood but to a time where (Pretty in Pink, a movie it was included in) it was alright to be sad and angry, but not okay to ignore it. To face our fears head on. I think that I let go of the torment of my bullying, not only because I entered a safe haven, high school, where I finally fit in my own group of misfits. But, because the music and attitude of the time gave me the strength to see beyond it. Seek those with the same experiences and unite in friendship and truly, anything is possible. The soundtrack of my adolescence made that possible.

Nostalgia: How 1980's Music Rejuvenated My Spirit: Part One

"Hills and valleys" my grandmother used to say to me, on those days where the bullying became too much to bear. The surface of our landscape is never level, nor is it smooth. There will be days when the sun is obscured amidst a thickness, like no other. You know it is there, a glimmer of its pervasiveness seeps in and out, almost on schedule. But, it quickly dissipates as soon as it appears. Voices of wisdom and strength echo in, like whispers of yesterday. Memory meeting immediate. Depending on our personal climate, each day can be clear and sunny, cloudy with a chance of rain, or any atmospheric condition in between. "Optimism", my grandmother used to say, "is a weather pattern, humid with our tears, but also a cool, breezy day, if we allow ourselves to feel it."

I have discovered recently, however, that even with the best intentions, that a cool breeze can become a full-blown hurricane in a moment’s notice. The only way to keep the surge at bay, is to pay attention to the weather reports. Prepare for the flood, because often, it breaks through the barricade and topples over, even our most positive outlook. In no way is this defeatist, I know I can face any barrage or storm that steers its way in my direction. I have noticed, however, this shadow, haunting those around me. They begin the day in a confident, decisive frame of mind, but with the input of a downtrodden or negative person, their whole demeanor changes. They deflate like a balloon. This I think happens because we often do not consider that weather, unpredictable and chaotic, is not permanent. Not only is there seasonal change, but daily modulations, even hourly, depending on the meteorological front moving in. We need to keep an umbrella around, just in case. I think it is critical we look to others to help us block the storm. I am putting myself out there for anyone who needs it. I am your rain coat on a stormy day.

I know from living through a childhood of bullying, that my viewpoint is just that, my perspective. The determination of bullies can be undermined, if I believe in myself. If I choose to let those goblins and monsters that taunt me, defeat me, then they will win. But if the fiends that attempt to sour my existence, are mere passing clouds in the day’s events, then they too shall pass. Pessimism can only find me if I show it the way. Optimism can win any battle against malignancy, if I use it as a shield. As much as I want others to see my vision and hear my point-of-view, it is not always going to happen. The important thing for me, is to remember where I came from, how each obstacle built the framework, that is me. What has shaped me into the person I am today. This melody creates my hopefulness and idealism.

I grew up in the 1980's. I think that is why "Stranger Things" resonates so much with me. I was a Freshman in high-school, at the time the show takes place. I didn't live near a hell mouth, thank goodness, although there were some demons that crossed my path. The music, culture and teenage attitude, depicted in the show, are familiar and embody my personality on almost every level. Remembering those times are not painful anymore, they are empowering, and the music is inspiring and motivating, just as it was when I was immersed in the decade.

I changed a lot in the 1980's, once I reached high school, my positive, optimistic, life began.

Dissecting a Dyson and Engineering with Grit and Collaboration

A Collaborative Engineering Activity

Dyson Engineering Box

     Three years ago, I stumbled onto the Dyson Engineering website. It was summer and I was looking for some fun, creative labs that I could use for enrichment with my gifted/talented students. I was looking for more STEM, problem-solving activities where no handouts were necessary, just good old innovation. You have to order the engineering boxes about four months in advance and then you get to keep them for 3 weeks. Then you ship them back. Its 100% free. 

          The first year, they arrived in a giant box and were delivered to my room during one of my GT classes. Instant intrigue. "What's in that box? Do we get to use it?" I hadn't even opened the box and between myself and my students there was level of excitement we hadn't felt in awhile. After a semester and a half of the human body we were all ready for the holidays. We were in the middle of dissecting chicken feet, so I held off opening the box until my planning.

   

Finding A Connection

         When I opened the box I was even more excited. Screw-drivers, vacuum cleaner parts, even the base of a Dyson vacuum. Hoses and all. I was instantly curious as to how I could bring this activity into the Biology curriculum I teach in 7th grade. I pulled out the hoses and vacuum heads and began to just stare at all the parts. Then it dawned on me. Ligaments, tendons, cartilage, bones, joints, even muscles are all represented here on this hard plastic piece of machinery. So the next day I wrote those words on the board. Just those words. Then I handed out to each table a vacuum and the tools to dissect it. They had a blast and definitely made the connection easily. I had them draw and label two pictures, one of the machine and one of their arm and I had them make comparisons. 

        I did this same activity, the same way, for two more years. This is the fourth year I have utilized the Dyson Engineering box and this year I decided that I wanted to stir the pot and change things up a bit. Really push my students to literally 'think outside the box.'

UpDating

     So this year I printed some basic directions on how to dismantle and reassemble the machine, BUT I gave them the wrong set of directions. Close but not exact. Basically instructions for a different model. I wanted to see how long it would take for them to figure out that the instructions were wrong and set a new plan for solving the engineering conundrum. Same words were on the board, same correlation between Muscular/Skeletal systems, just with a little set back built in. Students got completely frustrated but they figured it out. Some faster than others. Many students began to go around and share their findings, helping others jump the hurdle. But others tried to confuse them even more telling them the wrong way to do it. All the while, I sat watching from afar. It was enlightening for sure.

     This year they sent two sets of vacuums, we used the larger set on Friday. Tuesday after we get back from the holidays they are going to do it again with the smaller models, with the right directions. Then I am going to have them compare what it was like when directions were clear and when they were not. I am curious if students found the irritation meaningful or simply a distraction. While I was observing them, they were having fun, they were just struggling a lot. I want to know after a week of vacation how they feel about the activity.

     I never told them there was a kink in the plans. So by the time 8th period came in they knew the earlier classes had problems with the activity but they were not sure why. A few had identified the directions as being incomplete BUT each class received a different set of 'incorrect' directions so this kept the curiosity and suspense going all day. 

Pushing the Limits

    I am looking forward to the next time we dissect a Dyson because they will expect the same road block but it will not be there. I want to see how they adjust to this frustrating activity with another pass at it. It was an interesting day not only because some gave up for a bit, others trudged through without even the slightest detour, but mainly because they even tried to trick each other more. While some helped each other, others told them the wrong information to see if they could figure it out on their own. It was a community feel, every one was laughing when they figured out how to finally put it back together. It was an experience many of them being gifted/talented haven't faced before: struggling to a degree that they nearly just gave up, with no one giving them the answers. But in the end, all groups made it through. 

  I know on Tuesday, their will be a lot of sighs and moans when they hear that they have to accomplish it again, but that's growth isn't it? Endurance even through those moments we feel we are locked in an endless vortex of vexation. Who knew a vacuum could be so empowering?

It All Works Out in the End: Taking Chances, Running Out of Time and Readjusting

High and Low Tides

There are days that go smoothly and days that need every last bit of my energy. Some weeks fly by without any hiccups or speed bumps while some are riddled with them. This particular 7 day allotment of time, my classroom, was full of miscalculations and detours. A few panned out and were helpful, but some ended up being set aside and never completed. This tends to happen when I get overambitious. Our Circulatory and Respiratory system unit has come to an end and throughout the week, students have been creating models, writing songs and parodies about the systems and reviewing for the test they are taking today. Like any cycle, as with the high and low of tides, there is a balance that syncs into place, but only after a little give and take.

The highs were awesome, models of the systems were creative and informative (yesterday's post is examples). Students had full access to the makerspace, for the first time and it was fun to watch them explore and find new ways of using recyclables and previously undiscovered items. Each model is so unique. It was a great activity, it got a little messy and it took two class periods, but it was worth it because students really delved into the physical aspect of both systems and had an opportunity to reinforce key vocabulary along the way. The low of the activity was the length of time. It took forever for them to finish. It also completely put the makerspace in disarray. But, with a little elbow grease and I can get it organized. Students did clean up very well, they just put things all jumbled into buckets and now they just need to be sorted.

The other main activity my students were working on this week was a review for the test. We created a ?Question? board where they wrote their concerns and questions about the unit and other students in different classes answered them. Pre-AP answered GT and vice-versa. At the beginning of class, students went to the board, perused the content, answered questions and actually learned a lot about the Circulatory and Respiratory systems from their peers. That part of the review I think went great. However, I had a follow up activity where students were going to use the questions in a debate/Socratic Seminar, but we ran out of time. I also wish I had had time to go over the board as a class to bind the lesson. I feel like I left this activity in limbo. But, with the time constraints of the model build, we had to skip the follow-through. I enjoy closure. I revel in it. So when things get left unfinished it drives me crazy.


The Clock Continues to Tick...Tick...Tick

Well laid plans rarely go off without a hitch. I appreciate an organized lesson plan but I must admit mine are more 'flexible' and I often decide things just before class starts. This week, I actually stayed very close to my plans. Building models of both Respiratory and Circulatory just proved more extensive and took longer for completion. The clock keeps tick...tick...ticking even when we think we have it under our control. To be rewarded with thorough mock-ups, concessions had to be made. I really wanted to have them debate but writing a rap or song seemed more engaging and fun. So I went that route. Thank goodness I did. I made the right call. They were funny and creative. I ended up recording them and putting them on our class blog www.collidingwithscience.com  (Videos to Watch)- the kids have been enjoying watching each others presentations and I keep getting messages about how much they loved the experience.

In the end, after scoring their tests, I see that the models and raps/songs were worth it. Their test scores were great and the students who normally do not get an A or B, actually did on this test. I think that getting so hands on was beneficial. Also, collaborating with their peers helped them feel confident sharing their songs. Together these two activities brought a cohesion of tinkering, creativity and personal expression which always helps me learn.


Adjustments and Reinforcement

After the test today, I asked my students to fill out an anonymous survey. I asked three questions:

1) What was your favorite part of this weeks review?
2)  Did the model help you learn the information, or was it just fun?
3) What was your least favorite part of this weeks review?

The consensus was the model was challenging, fun and also, as they put it "a visual study-guide that helped me see the 'big picture' and I know you like us to see the big picture, Mrs. CJ." Their favorite part was the song/rap and being able to share it with the class and to be able to enjoy other presentations. They also love that they are on the class website. They are commenting on the Canvas blog about them. I am excited they are so supportive of one another.

Finally, their least favorite was how rushed they felt at times. "I wish we would have used the board more-its feels like we didn't get to finish that. But, the model made up for it." Seems like my students and I are in sync. I just wish time would get on our side. The curriculum is so fast. These next few weeks, we only have 2 1/2 days per body system. It is just crazy after Harvey. But, with a little ingenuity I hope to make it engaging for my students, all the while leaving it in their hands. I see a mini-play in our future.

Finished Products: Respiratory and Circulatory Models

These are the final models once Circulatory was finished and students added Respiratory structures. They came out awesome. After they were done with the models each group wrote a rap, poem, song etc. They performed them for the class- they wrote these in ten minutes. I recorded them and posted them on our class website  http://www.collidingwithscience.com/  they are under Videos to Watch section.