The purpose of the classroom...

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education."

Martin Luther King, Jr.

The more time I spend in the classroom, the more I become a critic of basic fundamentals of traditional classroom skills like testing. That in itself, is a frustrating statement... "Skills like testing"

Now, growing up I was not a star student, not the valedictorian, not a 4.0 kid (okay one semester I was). But there were so many experiences in high school that taught me the value of education. I learned very early on that I was not a test taker. No matter the time I spent studying, whether 4 hours or 40 minutes, I more often than not, ended up with a C. Because of this realization, I spent many hours completing homework to balance out that C or D average from my test scores. This was the only way I could guarantee (most of the time), a B in the class. Occasionally, I got lucky and managed to squeak out an A but this was less typical. This trend also continued in college, although I found smarter friends (thanks Joe, Kristen, Amber, Brittany) that helped me study in true study groups (occasionally drinking groups). 

Now that I am a teacher, I feel like I have subconsciously minimized the amount of tests I give. I watch each year as students freak out over studying for finals. I don't envy them at all. While there are many careers that have high stress moments, rarely are you going to go into a career that requires final exams. Because of this, I feel like projects are a better representation of student's commitment and follow through, while being a better example of something they might do again in their life. Many careers have presentations to bosses or meetings with clients-- this could be someone's future. Giving kids the freedom to decide on their tailored project, gives them a way to meet the goals while making it personalized. Adding that bit of character to their project, shouldn't that be the goal of education? Who cares if kids can take tests if they are not going to take real tests in life? Now I know, life tests us all but I mean pen and paper or pencil and scantron type tests... 

Do we really care if a student can pass a content specific test in 100 minutes? Shouldn't we care more that a student took time out of their day to research, compile information and figure out how to convey a message to a group peers? Doesn't that teach them more about themselves? Presenting to peers is the hardest test most high school students have... Talking for 8 minutes to the class, is rough for many... Vulnerability during a presentation teaches a kid not only about themselves but the audience also learns compassion and acceptance. Isn't this what we want kids to learn?? How to be better adults? How to work with others? 

While I think content is important (hello I am a teacher), I think the methods are just as important for teaching life skills. So many of our kids will end up with jobs outside their specific interests. But, if we are using content to teach methods, we win. Things like using computers, which shockingly many high school kids cannot do, to creating a collage, canning a jar of jam, programming a scrolling digital sign (sorry Mr. Davis, I can never remember their technical name) are all skills that kids can take beyond the classroom. 

At the same time, giving every kid the same type of test and using it as a factor of learning or proficiency in a content area is just not my cup of tea. This might be my skewed perception based on being one of the first in my immediate family to complete college. However, my education does not translate to being able to be skilled in any area. My mom did not finish college, yet she is the leader of an entire office of people-- some with education far beyond hers. Yet, she has worked at her job for 35+ years and has more first hand knowledge and experience than anyone they could hire at her office. She leads others, handles people, files reports, and works in a professional manner. How many people can say that? Rarely can a recent high school or college graduate come close. While her job may not be a dream to many, that is what we need to teach kids-- it's not always a dream but such is life. Do your job, do a good job, show up everyday... It will lead to success.

We are not doing our due diligence to educate students in high school to be individuals with the dedication and professionalism to be part of the adult workforce, We need more kids that work hard, more creativity, more professionalism, more dedication, more follow through, more compassion, more drive... Do tests teach that? 

High school should be about learning life skills with basic content knowledge and college and careers should be about content or specific areas of study. We have become so consumed with kids getting a jump start to get into college, it starts as early as pre-school. Kids can barely wipe by themselves yet we are worried about sending them in the right path and blah blah blah. 

If we focus on making them better people, learning about how the world works, avoiding temptations, doing more for others than themselves, being committed to something and dedication, they will find the right path without being shoved. 

Final project presentations of life maps...

From being a rodeo groupie as a kid to wanting to be a physicians assistant... Such a fun way to show a life map-- layers of clothes!

Hannah Mae reports... This kid is the next Amy G! 

Where is the school year going?!

Does life ever slow down? I feel like the longer I teach, the faster life zooms by.

This year I took on our school's leadership class in addition to my regular Ag classes. I was very nervous to tackle this class, especially while teaching another new class. In all complete honesty, it has been one of the most challenging things I have done as a teacher. 

Daily, I think about why it has been so difficult  to wrap my head around the schedules, posters, ASB meetings, rallies, etc. I have come to the conclusion that it's the kids and my lack of experience. The kids are genuinely good kids, but I've had to start from scratch with many of the students with teaching basic concepts like responsibility and follow through. Luckily I have some FFA kids in the class, so they have been instrumental in helping set the example for being a leader in class. 

Today, an FFA kid gave a practice workshop to the leadership class. I was amazed that when she asked them to give another student a power clap, they had no clue what that meant. It occurred to me that many of the best techniques, like power clapping are not done in many classes (probably none) except that in Ag classes and FFA conferences they are traditions for building people up to be leaders. Something as simple as a clap, changed the attitude of some students. After the workshop concluded they asked to learn more claps. 

It's crazy to me that we worry so much about curriculum, standards, tests, AP this or that, yet we rarely encourage students to take classes that make them better people. From responsibility to follow through and rigorous academics to person connections, FFA could quite possibly be the most genius organization that has ever roamed the earth! 

We need to take more time to smell the roses, so to speak. Slow down, teach the important life skills that students might only get during the school day, and stop worrying only making them smart, but worry more about making them better people.

This school year is blowing by and I feel like I'm behind on making them better people because we've been so focused on less important things like just getting things done for the sake of doing them. With all the recent fires and displaced people, it's become apparent that less and less students believe in, doing for others. While we have collected a crazy amount of items and worked diligently to help, there is a funny divide that has been created. It's amazing the number of kids that have stepped up to really contribute and give, while others sit back and wait for someone else to give. I feel like it's very telling of their leadership qualities and future leadership potential. It is just one more way for students to grow and become better people-- Funny that some simply choose not to...