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Question the Enforced and Inane

Pernille Ripp

Hey Mrs. Ripp, I have to stay in for recess. Oh ok, why? Because I didn’t have my parents sign my math test. Oh ok…

How often do we hear statements such as these in our classrooms. Those little remarks explaining why a certain consequence was being given to a student? I used to be that teacher,the one that punished students for not handing things in, forgetting signatures, or having a rough day. I thought that was what you did as a teacher; teach responsibility. And while it is true that we should help our students grow into more responsible children, we also have to make sure that the “punishment fits the crime.”

When students are asked to stay in from recess because they left something at home, it simply does not make sense. In fact, you end up with a student that not only did not get a chance to get some fresh air, but also one who has resentment for being punished for something beyond their control. We do it all the time as teachers; assign work that isn’t really for the student to finish but for the parents instead, and yet the students always pays the price when the work is not done. And we justify it all the time.

So this year I told myself to stop. No more keeping students in from recess, only if they needed and wanted help with something. No more taking away privileges because of something a parent didn’t do. No more enforcing inane rules that I thought I had to enforce simply because that is what I had experienced. Now I question everything I do before I subject my students to it and I am happy I do. I trust my on judgment much more now and I also feel that the students view it as a fair environment, all building into a better community.

award, being a teacher, rewards

I’m a Loser

Pernille Ripp

As the Edublog Award ceremony train passed right through my station tonight without an award or acknowledgement, I couldn’t help but feel like a loser. A big loser, in fact. It wasn’t that I had expected to win or even place, I am much too Danish to ever think highly of myself, but sometimes you let your imagination run away with you for a split second.

So there I was tonight, where I should be occupied with my insane 23 month old daughter, the surgery I am having tomorrow, or my husband who worked a 12 hour day. Instead, I found myself having a little pity party and it was sad to say the least. In fact, it was so pathetic that it made me think of why I have grown to despise awards in my classroom. You see, I felt like the outsider tonight. Like I was not cool enough to be recognized or even mentioned. Like the kid that sits along at lunch hoping someone will strike up a conversation. Like the kid that no matter how hard they try for the teacher to notice them, they just fall short.

So what is it with awards that can get even the most levelheaded anti-award teacher to behave like a love-stricken teenager hoping for their first kiss? Is it really that we just want someone to say we notice you? You make a difference? You work hard? We believe in what you do? I don’t know. Because really those things are said to me by the amazing members of my family, friends, and my PLN often. Do we just not believe it when it comes from people that know us? Must it be from total strangers to feel like proper recognition? Or is it the group recognition? Of being given an award in front of others so that they know how important you are? I am still trying to dissect my emotions and find myself again. The one that doesn’t have a ridiculously bruised ego, the one that feels like they belong and that others care. Either way, I am moving on, proud of my nomination, eager to add the winners to my feed, and strengthened in my resolve to not have awards or rewards in my classroom. After all, if a 30 year old teacher that knows better can get this silly over a missed reward then imagine what it does to a kid. Lesson learned again.

Glogster Challenge

Glogster Challenge!

Pernille Ripp

Take our Glogster Challenge! One of my fantastic students, Connor, came up with a Glogster challenge just in time for the holidays. Create your very own Christmas Glogster and send us a link to it. The winner will be picked Thursday December 23rd by Connor and will win a chance to be highlighted on our classroom blog!

being a teacher, community, students

If We Could Grant Wishes

Pernille Ripp

Yesterday we had our winter break party with our first grade reading buddies.  Students listened to holiday music from around the world, ate aebleskiver (a Danish treat), and cut out snowflakes for a wish tree.  We told them to write their wishes for the new year on these snowflakes.  This morning as I spearated the glittered and glued together snowflakes, I read them.

I wish for an Ipad (hey, a child can dream), for a bunny, dvd’s, games, world peace even.  I wish for a great year, for sleep, for more world peace (definitely a 4th grader).  A rat, a dog, a magic wand, flat screen tv’s, Nintendo D.S., fish, a pool, and even a bigger house.  And then there it sat, glued to another wish, unassuming and small:  I wish I had more friends.

If only teachers had a magic wand…

being a teacher, communication, community, students

The Mayor of West Middleton

Pernille Ripp

The mayor of West Middleton works the crowds.  He is that kid, busy in the hallways saying hi to every kid, every teacher.  If he doesn’t know your name that day he runs after you to ask you what it is.  And then he remembers.  He knows us all, whether veterans, brand-new, student teachers, substitutes.  He knows parents, siblings, and any new kid 10 minutes after they walk in the door.  He smiles, laughs, and pays attention.  He cares and he lets you know that he cares.

It’s not an act, this welcoming thing; it is him, something in his nature that he cannot help.  Something that cannot be contained, as his teacher – trust me I have tried when we walk down the hallway.  Then I realized that it was only my sense of order that made me dislike these random outbursts of talk or stopping and hugging people.  I needed him to walk with me, not in front or behind me, not be around the corner when I needed him in line.  Now, I let him loose on the people, let him do his thing.  He never goes far, just far enough to greet, to spread that smile.  And for that I am thankful, he makes me a better person, a better teacher because he shows me every day what genuine interest does for another person.  He leads by example, and it is an example we should all follow; know everyone, greet them, hug them if you want, ask questions, and if you don’t know their name it is ok to ask.  But most of all; remember them all and show them that you are happy they are here, happy they are with us, happy they came to school that day.  The world needs more kids like him.

being a teacher, education reform, testing

If We Teach to the Test

Pernille Ripp

If standardized tests determine how we teach, then students would probably:

  • Never raise their hand; after all they will prove their knowledge on the test.
  • Never explore around the topic, twisting it, turning it on its head and perhaps coming up with new questions.
  • Never ask different questions than what the teacher expects.
  • Not participate in discussion after one answer has been given since usually only answer is enough on a test.
  • Always be very, very quiet because to take a test there must be silence.
  • Always be cordoned off by privacy folders fore they must not cheat off each other.
  • Always know exactly where they rank and whether school is for them or not.
  • Realize that thinking creatively will hardly ever pay off.
  • Always ask what their grade and rank is and then flaunt it whenever they can since this is what a test-obsessed society deems important.
  • Be very god at filling out little bubbles inside the lines, making their mark and heavy, as well as erasing mistakes completely.
  • Never attempt to place an answer outside of a designated area.  After all, thoughts only get so much room to be explored.
  • Not really need a teacher, perhaps a scantron would be just fine.