Better Learning
How can I compel kids to capture their stories?
Someday I may. Someday day I may arrive. Some day I may arrive at an end, on an answer. But someday seems faraway. For even now, six years down the road, there’s no end in sight, no answer in hand. There’s only better around the bend. And though I know this (I live this), it’s more apparent than ever as I sift through past posts for my book and face just how often and how much my “present” practice changes. One might wonder, I suppose, if I ever pause long enough for practice to become present, for it always seems to be behind as I stalk better better around the next bend, and my practice becomes past.
This year, of course, is no different. Year Six is as mercurial as the previous five–no end, no answer. Just another present practice.
The Journey Journal
The Journey Journal, at least the idea of the Journey Journal, has been an ever-present partner on the 180 journey. In one form or another (usually another), I have used the Journey Journal as a means to get kids to capture their own journeys in a daily reflection. The form has changed a number of times over the years, but the function remains the same. Reflection as learning.
Seems simple enough, but I have found kids (in truth, people) aren’t great reflectors. We don’t do it enough to become good at it. And I have learned that “enough” has to be daily. We have to reflect daily to find the frame of mind to really reflect and make sense of our days and ways to learn about ourselves and the world around us. So, once again, I have taken up the charge to help my kids get enough, to get their daily dose of Vitamin R. Reflection.
Here’s my present practice.
And we are getting better at it. One day, one word at a time. We are getting better at capturing and sharing our stories. For many the struggle is still very real. And I work with that. A victory with John is just getting him to write something–anything–each day. And I praise him, and then I push him (gently). “Okay, dude. Let’s see if we can write two sentences a day next week. Maybe for your second sentence, tell me how you felt about the activity.” Every kid is in a different place with this–just as they are with everything. Yes, of course, I want them all to practice the week’s “Craft Skill,” to write a 100 words, to capture a significant moment (big or small), but in the end I just want them to get better at discovering themselves and the world around them for the brief amount of time we spend together each day. Some kids spend a good deal of time talking about their lives outside of school. And I am more than okay with that. Yes, I nudge them to find something from class that day, but I don’t go overboard with it. As with everything I do, I just try to meet them where they are as I read and learn from them about their journeys.
So, I read each one? Yes and no. I skim and respond. I leave a quick comment each day. I want them to know that I am reading them, that I value their stories. And sometimes, we have fun with it.
I do read them. I am committed to that this year. In the past, good intentions have not sustained my commitment to this. But this year, I am determined to see it through to the end. And this is why. My reading them and interacting with my kids through them (responding) creates authentic accountability. I don’t “grade” these. There are no points to hold over my kids’ heads. As with all that I do, I don’t want their compliance. I want their commitment. And I have found when one wants commitment, he must give commitment. So, I am committed to their commitment, and I have found no more authentic way to make that happen than engaging them. If I am telling them that their stories matter, then I have to read their stories. And as I do, I learn the most important thing in the room–each human in the room.
This past week seemed to be a breakthrough week. More entries. More words. And I think it has everything to do with my taking a few minutes to listen to their voices. I think it matters to them.
Also, cause I know you read these, I wanted to say you’re a really good teacher. I love how you teach, you’re always so calm and understanding it makes school more tolerable, so thank you.
Of course, and I praise them for it, the kids also offer plenty of constructive criticism. And I make sure they know how much I value their input. I love that they have the comfort and the confidence to be honest with me.
Another year. Another Journey Journal. But this one feels better than some from the past. I feel like we are all getting our daily dose of Vitamin R, and it’s making a difference. One day, one word at a time.
Happy Sunday, all. See ya next week.
Do. Reflect. Do Better.
I appreciate all that you are doing! Your posts resonate with me every time. I contemplated doing a type of Learning Journal this year and of course it got put on the back burner due to time and other excuses. One of my main hurdles was how to have them do this so that I could read them efficiently. What platform do you use and how do they “turn in” the reflection? Also, how much time do you allot each day to do this and what is your overall class time? Thanks for doing what you do, your commitment to doing better is inspiring.
Good morning, Stefanie. Thank you for the kind support. I just use a Google Doc (I make a new template each week like the one in the post). I assign it through Google Classroom, which is where the kids “turn in” their reflections. I skim and scan, usually leaving a quick comment for each day in the Google Doc. And by quick, I mean sometimes a “yes,” a “smiley face,” an “I agree,” etc. I just want them to know I am checking in, I am “listening.” Sometimes, their posts compel me to write more. We have gone to 4, 85-minute periods this year. I ask the kids to begin their entries with 10 minutes to go. Some do it earlier. Some do it later at home. I just want them to do them. If they are absent, I excuse them that day. I just ask them to leave me an “absent” note in that day’s entry. Hope this helps. Please let me know if I can be or more help. Happy Monday.