James reminds us of something we often forget, that the kids have to sit in restraining devices and fake, feign or pay attention to us yammering away each and every day from around 7:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.. I often tell them that if their parents had to do that, there would be no school, or it would be over by noon every day. We should remember that the next time we think it’s all about our class:
Ben,
I teach on a block schedule. Every other day I teach with no break, that is, with no plan period. This is a good thing ultimately for my program because it means the numbers are strong. And it gives me a lot of insights, too, plus more time for more practice at all this.
I am noticing today, one of those long days, just how hard my students have to work to listen how they need to. I think it’s easy for us to forget sometimes that listening so rigorously is very difficult work. I can feel how my students are just full at the end of the period, if that makes sense. All of this is reaffirming for me the use of brain-breaks.
James