Sunday’s Reflection: “Clean Your Room”
As I took my Walk, I thought about last Friday. I forced myself to stay late at school for the first time in a while. My room was dirty and needed to be cleaned. It’s been out of sorts all year. (The church camp trip cost me a week of prep time.)
It led to the main idea of the week: It’s beneficial to Clean Your Room. There are several details that support it.
Monday, my kids had one of their better days. They worked well together and were locked in on their assignments. They even won the lunch championship for behavior.
Tuesday, it was more of the same. The did a good job of finding key details and knowing their 3D shapes.
Wednesday, my kids weren’t as on it. In the morning, they were strong. But in the evening, they were shaky. I had to remind them of the expectation in a very “teacher voice” way.
Thursday, the kids got back in sync. They had guests, too(classes were split). So, their behavior was even more impressive.
Friday, the kids supported the Main Idea of the day: It was a Phenomenal Day.
To start the day, I was encouraged by one of my students. She gave me a story. On the back, she wrote “I Love School” and “Good Luck.” (Still trying to figure that one out.)
Then the maintenance person came in and removed the albatross which was the computer desk area at the rear of my classroom. (It was such a space eater.)
After the announcements, I circled-up with the kids and told them that they had a solid week—except for Wednesday evening. But then I told them that they were shaky , because I was shaky. I wasn’t as prepared as I should have been for that block.
Following circle-up, I talked them about the weekly theme: Be Consistent. To drive the theme home, I told them about my friend Dezmond. He was always consistent. He worked hard in high school and earned a football scholarship to the college I attended: Mississippi State. He was consistent enough to get a shot in the NFL…winning a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers. He didn’t sulk after he stopped playing ball. He got a job and now he’s a firefighter.
I let them know that he was a consistent person, too. His wedding was a representation of that. His best men and groomsmen were from different points in his life. Most times, they’re from one point in your life.
That led to my next point to be a consistent person. Be a person that people want to be around. Don’t keep up mess…telling them the reversal of Dezmond. I told them about a person I knew in college who got fired from a job because she kept up mess.
One of my kids opined that her Pre-K teacher got fired because she kept up mess.
To end, I shared one of Eva Kate, my grandma’s, isms for a successful life: Don’t pick at nobody, don’t mess with nobody and help somebody if you can. It will save you a lot of drama. (2nd graders spend half the day telling on each other.)
Once I finished the soliloquy, I let them write how they can be more consistent. While they were writing, there was a funny moment.
One of my students pulled out some money to hand to me.
Me(with a chuckle): “What’s that for?”
Him: “For being nice to me.” (You never know your impact.)
Me(again with a chuckle): “Keep your money.”
An hour of so later, I went over how to find the main idea of a text using headings and subheadings. The kids did a really good job of locating supporting details.
To close out the lesson, I wanted to see if they could think deeper about the article they read: “World of Bats.”
So, I asked: Does the article make you think differently about bats?
There were a few cool responses.
Student 1: I feel differently because they help out community.
Student 2: I feel different because they help people , and I never knew they could help people.
Student 3: I thought bats were really scary and hurt people, but they’re really nice on the inside.
According to Stephanie Harvey “Striving To Thriving”, kids coming up with a new thought process after reading something is the final level of the five levels of comprehension. It’s week 7. Imagine where my babies will be at the end of the year.
When the kids returned from recess, they had a quick Math assessment. Shortly after they completed it, I put out the materials for the Science activity: “Build A Structure.”
For the activity, the kids got to build a structure of their choosing for 20 minutes. The kids really enjoyed themselves. They got to present their structures to the class, too.
After that, the kids went to the library. Before doing so, they took a group picture with their structures for Seesaw. A suggestion from one of my students. (It was taken in the same area where the computer area used to be.)
The kids returned from the library. With about ten minutes left, I let them have their dance-off Friday. Then I announced September’s Student of the Month(student vote). It was well-deserved. The kid is one of my most consistent scholars.
As my kids left, I asked my Student of the Week, which I named that Monday, what he wanted for winning.
Him: “Takis.”
Me: “That’s it.”
Him: “Takis for my whole table.”
I loved it. Sharing is caring.
Of course, to end a Phenomenal Week, the kids chanted Phenomenal a few times.
Reflecting, I learned a lesson that every person must realize. For things to go smoother, you don’t need to do the big stuff. Seek out more social media followers. Get a better job for a title. Or Buy more expensive clothes to impress others.
Sometimes, you need to just “Clean Your Room.”
I leave you with two things.
1. Is your room clean?
2. If not, how would your life improve if you did?
Say Back.
1. What did you like about the reflection?
2. What do you want to know more about?
Application: Write down one way you can “Clean Your Room.”
Jeremiah Short, Educator
The Phenomenal Student 