Day 1--Parent Orientation
This was a new thing for our school. Instead of a regular first day of school, we had a half-day for parents to come (rather like an open house) and get a taste of what school would be like this year and what to expect. Whew. A little nerve racking worrying about making a good impression and all, but a good experience.
My classroom will be a baseball team this year. I love baseball. Adore baseball. But more importantly, there is much to be learned from the game. Of course, baseball has never been and is certainly not now an always idyllic representation fo the ideal, but even in a day of sports egos and paycheck frenzy, the principle that I have transferred to my class are still very much present and necessary.
Principle one: 100% individual effort + 100% team effort = good playing. In other words, both of these ingredients are equally necessary to have a competitive team. A baseball team is a single entity made up of at least 9 individuals. If one person on the team skimps on effort, it could cost the team the game. Every player must come to every game ready to contribute to the team. Equally so, the 9+ individuals must be ready to play as a team. If the shortstop is doing a great job catching ground balls and covering the space between 2nd and 3rd, but fails to communicate with the team or cover the 2nd and 3rd basemen, the team will probably lose. And his teammates won't be to friendly after. :) The point is one phenominal player can't carry a team, and a team can't function with selfish players.
In the classroom, the principle is applied easily, expecially in a classical setting. Classical learning employs the socratic method (mainly on the upper levels, but grammar children use it as well) of questioning. Thus, if a student comes to class unwilling to participate, the rest of the class suffers. The discussion is hobbled because one student hasn't come with 100% effort that day. Equally, if the class refuses to work as a team, discussion is hobbled. Selfishness impairs the class as whole in the learning and succeeding process.
Principle two: Mutual respect. Granted, in our day there is less of this than there used to be (a societal ill, unfortunately), however it is still indispensable to the team effort. If A-rod doesn't respect the ability of Derek Jeter, he will waste time and effort trying to take over for him. And in the process, cause errors that will lose the game. Players must have respect for the other teammembers in order to trust them with the ball. And they must have respect for the manager and coaches in order to improve. Of course, the manager must respect the ability of the players or he won't be able to teach and encourage them the way he needs in order to create a winning team. Mutual respect is required in order to have a well-functioning team.
In the classroom, obviously, the students must respect the teacher or they can't learn a thing. But they must also respect each other in order to have the right environment for learning. If Johnny doesn't respect Suzie, then there will be cruelty and rudeness--and Suzie will stop interacting with Johnny and Johnny's friends, etc. To coin a verse, a class divided can't succeed.
For fun, I used baseball terms to quantify consequences and priviledges--errors, assists, strikes, automatic outs, etc. Maybe I'm carrying my love of baseball too far, but at least it's fun. My parents are all very supportive. My kids all very excited. And tomorrow begins our yearlong adventure. Go Team!!