The tone of class seemed very different today from other days. No funny YouTube clips, very little joking—overall somber class and teacher. What changed? I suppose the subdued behavior of those in class could mean that the topic was boring…..or of great impact.
It has been very important for me to realize the opportunities to serve and teach service-learning to my students are also opportunities to engage my students’ hearts when learning. Instructing my students how to feel seems outside my job description somehow. Shouldn’t they already know how to do this? However, it seems that service-learning is more than learning to feel; it is an authentic opportunity to learn in a real way.
Creating opportunities for our students to connect to community should be a goal of our classroom instruction. Service learning provides just that opportunity. It offers a window where school does not seem separated from the rest of the student’s world. In service learning, students and teachers learn side-by-side. Many times, students are not asked to do things the teacher is not also willing to do.
Service-learning teaches students to be ladders. Ladders lift others to destinations that would not normally be reached. Ladders and leaders are contrasting metaphors. I do believe, however, that leading through service can be a means to actualize both together.
In our practice, we pride ourselves when we are able to connect students to the concepts in our lessons. How much more powerful would it be if we were not only able to connect students to conceptual knowledge, but also to community, place, and self understanding? Moreover, the more places we are able to “hang” knowledge in the world of a student, the more long-lasting effect it will have globally through the students’ lives. I suppose many of us were wrapping our minds around that concept during today’s meeting. That in its self is reason for thoughtful contemplation and the solemn, reflective atmosphere of class today…not boring…deep.
From what you and Jamie had said about teaching where you do, it seems like our schools are similar in ways. I am not saying your kids are exactly the same as mine, but both seem to need a bond with their teachers more than others. I noticed that the students I work with now try to blur the "friend or teacher" line more than at a traditional school. I am uncomfortable with that still, but maybe you are. I think seeing the teacher work with students on the same project is a good thing, too. I guess I would need more clarification about ladders and leaders not being connected. I would think that there would be opprotunities for students to show leadership qualites in a service-learning project. It is a way to show strengths in areas that may not be evident in the regular classroom. The teacher may take on a different leadership role by letting the students step up. That would benefit the hearts of both you and your students.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you brought that up. I too noticed a difference in today's class. I plan on taking a hunger strike until things get back to normal. If you have seen my waistline, you should know that this will not be easy.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you mentioned the ladder concept because I jotted that down and noted that I needed to take time to reflect upon that.
ReplyDeleteI also like the idea of "hanging" knowledge on something tangible - taking the knowledge from something arbitrary or abstract and putting it into useful context.
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