rewards in 2nd grade

It's been busy in 2nd grade lately! There's always the daily routine of math, language arts, science, social studies, Bible, handwriting, and so forth. But, that's just the beginning. Between planning a field trip to the museum, writing and casting a script for our upcoming Easter chapel, and keeping track of 19 responsibility goals, it seems we don't have room for much more in 2JB. 


Yet in the midst of it all, teachers at ECES make it a priority (at least) once a year to give our students a unique opportunity to learn through problem-based learning (PBL). It's easy to see that our world is full of problems that these young ones will inevitably face, and we want to prepare them by giving students the chance to formulate solutions already at an early age. Each year, students at every grade level are presented with a problem. Together as a class, students learn more about the problem and decide on an appropriate response to help solve the problem.


Second grade is currently in the thick of our PBL project for this year. Since we are studying animal camouflage and habitats in science, we thought it would be appropriate to challenge our students with the problem of endangered animals. Students became very interested in this topic and were eager to find out why animals become endangered, and what we can do to help. In response, students are busy creating shadow boxes (dioramas) of various endangered animals in their habitats. We plan to display these projects in our school library next week and invite the student body to visit our "museum" in order to raise awareness of endangered animals. But the second grade students did not want to stop there! They were quick to suggest that we should also somehow raise money for the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), a well-known organization that helps to protect endangered animals. We decided that when students come to visit our "museum," they will have the opportunity to join us in caring for God's creation and buy an endangered animal pencil for 50 cents. All of our profits will be donated to the WWF.

Another reason we chose the problem of endangered animals is because students at ECES have been striving to develop responsibility during the month of February. As one of our school's core values, it is important to us that students learn to be responsible. Students in all grades were asked to come up with 2 responsibility goals to strive for during this month - a home goal and a school goal. Each class is also working toward a class goal together. (My students are doing a great job of keeping their backpacks and jackets on their hooks and off the floor!) We found that this theme of responsibility ties in nicely with our calling as Christians to respect and protect God's creation. God calls us to care for the Earth and everything in it. What better reason to be responsible?

During this PBL project, I've found that the most difficult part of it all is helping 7-8 year olds understand the reasons why we should be responsible. At this young age, many of them have a hard time working toward a goal without the promise of a reward at the end. I do my best to explain that developing new habits (being able to form letters correctly, or sit attentively through a lesson, or complete work neatly) is a reward in itself. Being responsible allows us to strive for excellence (another one of our school's core values) and do everything for God's glory. But to an extrinsically motivated second grader, that simply doesn't cut it. "You mean we don't get a prize for being responsible? No toy or piece of candy?  Are you kidding me, Mrs. Beverly?"


I quickly realized that a sticker on their responsibility charts simply wasn't enough for many of my students. They needed something more to motivate them to be responsible. I knew that I must incorporate some kind of reward for a completed responsibility chart, but did not want this reward to be the sole reason for their being responsible. This is when we decided to partner with our students' parents. Our proposal was that parents donate $5.00 to the WWF if their child completed his/her school responsibility goal 25 or more of the 30 possible days on the chart. If students were responsible 20 or more of the 30 days, parents would donate only $4.00, and so on. This way, students earn a reward for their hard work, but the money is still going to a worthy cause. I thought it was genius, and was thrilled when parents agreed to the plan. I was eager to share this reward system with my students...

Upon hearing the idea, many students hopped right on board. A large majority of my class has a genuine desire to care for animals of all kinds, and these students were excited that they could help endangered animals simply by being responsible. I was thrilled to see their eager smiles ... until it was time to answer their questions. One hand shot up quickly to say, "You said we would get a reward. I still don't see what we are getting out of this." Ugh. Clearly everything I had said up to that point was not sinking in for this small boy. Before I could get a word out to answer, another student spoke up - "The reward is helping the animals! Don't you want to protect God's creation?" Well at least some of them are catching on the way I hoped. But, I was still discouraged by the frown on this small boy's face. He still wanted to know what was in it for him.


Though most of my students were overly motivated by this plan, I was still discouraged by the one who wasn't. I couldn't help but partly blame myself for his selfish desires. Did I help to instill this need for a physical reward? You see, this same small boy is one of a few students in my class who have a daily behavior chart. If he completes the appropriate tasks on the chart throughout the school day, he is rewarded at home with quarters. These quarters are meant to be saved until he can buy something he has been waiting for. I imagined this small Lego-loving boy would stack up his quarters until he could purchase the next set on his list.


Or so I thought until I received this email from his mom just yesterday:


I just wanted to share with you that [small boy's] been collecting quarters in a jar ever since we've started the behavior chart. He wants to use those quarters to donate towards the wildlife conservation. I thought that was pretty neat. :)

Pretty neat? I think it's outstanding! This took me completely by surprise. I have no idea what changed his mind, but clearly this small boy is not just thinking of himself. It's rewards like this one that make the difficulty and busyness of my job oh-so-worthwhile.

it's far from a perfect world

It has recently come to my attention that I may want to reconsider using photos of my students on my blog. I have never taken this matter lightly and have been extremely careful not to ever mention names (of anyone but myself, let alone my students). Parents of students at our school have to sign and give permission for their child's photo to be used in promotional materials for our school, including online uses, and all of the parents of kids in my class have consented to this. I figured I was in the clear to use my personal photos of their children online, as long as I used caution. However, I realize that our world is far from perfect and I can't even begin to conceive of how someone may use these photos for intentions very unlike my own. All it would take is one parent to get upset, or one negative incident, and my teaching career could come down with it all.


As a result, I have (sadly) removed all photos of students from my blog - past and present. It was hard for me to do this because my students are so much a part of who I am and what I do on a daily basis. I also love to take photos, and who better to take them of than the children I spend so many hours with? I love sharing the adventures of my class through words and pictures on my blog. I will continue to do so, but will be more careful to take pictures without the kids being in them. I hope you understand!

apology accepted

DAY 1:
(Student has hands outstretched and touching the wall on our way out of the building for dismissal. His hands graze the well-done work of another student, displayed on the bulletin board. The result is fatal for the artwork - it is torn in 2. Teacher witnesses the entire event.)


Teacher: Student, please keep your hands at your sides while walking in the hallway.


Student: Who? Me?


Teacher: Yes, I saw that you just ripped another student's work. You need to be careful because someone worked very hard on that and now it is torn.


Student: I didn't rip it.


Teacher: Well, I saw you do it, so I'm simply asking you to keep your hands at your sides in the hallway so it doesn't happen again.


Student: I'm not a liar.


Teacher: I saw it happen, student, but all I'm asking is for you to be careful next time.


Student (while walking away): You're the liar.


(Teacher is left speechless and fuming inside. Teacher proceeds to tell the student's teacher about the previous interaction.)


DAY 2:
(Student comes with head hung low to Teacher's classroom during recess. Student's teacher lingers nearby.)


Teacher: Student, how can I help you?


Student: Teacher, I'm sorry I ripped someone's work and called you a liar.


Teacher: Thank you for apologizing. It was very brave of you to come and talk to me. I hope that you will remember to be careful next time you are in the hallway. 


Student: Will you forgive me?


Teacher: Yes, I forgive you.


Student: Will you forgive me two times, since I did two things wrong?


Teacher (smiling): Of course! I forgive you again.


(Student is quiet for a moment, then raises his head.)


Student: Oh, and one more thing.


Teacher: Yes?


Student: I love your scarf.


(Teacher's heart melts and she can't help but chuckle. Student's teacher joins in the quiet laughter. Teacher understands that Student has learned two ways to get on a teacher's good side again: #1) genuinely apologize, or #2) pay her a compliment, or both.)

Valentine's Day, abounding in love

"bucket filler" treats for my 19 little valentines

a classroom valentines day decoration,

handmade by a student!

candy, candy, and more candy

sharing the love we have for one another at school

... and at home!
him picking me up from school,
walking in the door to find index cards posted
around the house with reasons why he loves me,
the table set for 2,
beautiful flowers with my name on them,
a candlelight dinner at home,
his delicious cooking,

so many sweets to choose from for dessert!

still counting

• booking tickets to Florida for spring break!
• how he starts the car for us in the morning
• new blogs to follow
• finishing my book (Gale or Peeta?! I must keep reading)
• students taking turns on the iPad
• unseasonably warm weather, perfect for getting outside for some exercise
• cooking and cleaning up together
• staying healthy thus far this year
• crowding around the island for dinner
• all of us laughing at the same time
• his willingness to drive me around
• "There's a Map on my Lap" by Dr. Seuss
• watching 2 adorable boys so they could enjoy a night out alone
• a new show that never fails to make us laugh
• spelling words with cheerios
• our conversations while walking to and from church
• their contagious joy at the end of the Super Bowl
• kids in their Giants jerseys
• the way it stays lighter longer
• a Nikon announcement
• setting class, home, and school goals to develop responsibility... and sticking to them!
• looking through old valentines
• no lines to wait on at the DMV
• his speciality, one of my favorite meals
• a female pastor filled with passion and joy
• trying a new restaurant
• a spontaneous Skype date with our soul friends
• making 2 dinners at one time
• 15 mins. of extra recess
• heart to heart conversations with colleagues
• writing notes of encouragement
• a shared sandwich
• putting on my "comfy" clothes at the end of each day
• dreaming of possibilities
• people who support, promote, and believe in a.j.e.less designs
• a night out with 2 of the best

birthday blessings

A Poem for You

"The class loves you,

And parents do too.

We love you

Oh, so very much!"

Dear Mrs. Beverly,

"You're as silly as a seal,

as cool as a penguin,

crafty as a fox,

as thoughtful as an owl,

and so much more."

being treated to a birthday burrito,

picking out my birthday present,

a home made birthday meal from his parents,

birthday cards in the mailbox,

February 9 in rare form: sunny and warm,

him getting up early to make a warm birthday breakfast,

each student greeting me with a flower,

my aide providing a birthday treat,

popcorn and a movie,

walking with mom on a beautiful day,

so many birthday wishes: in person, online, or over the phone,

my choice for dinner,

relaxing in pj's,

watching our favorite shows,

a birthday breakfast date,

trying a new restaurant to celebrate with my family,

hugs from loved ones,

feeling loved and special.

the sounds from downstairs

I used to loathe, despise the sounds that came from downstairs. The sounds of a 13-going-on-21 year old girl who loved to sing karaoke - off key. The sounds of a mother yelling in espanol for them to move faster. The sounds of big and small girls arguing over the computer or what channel to watch. It was so hard not to 'give it right back' - hard not to scream and stomp around. It was hard not to be angry ... let alone find joy in that.


But God is good. He knows how much we can handle! We could not be happier with our new neighbors. Yes, the floorboards are thin and we hear each other's mistakes. (Remember the banana bread incident?) I'm sure they don't love hearing my 6:30 alarm. But now, many of the sounds from downstairs do bring joy. Hearing them laugh together. Hearing his strumming of the guitar and singing sweet worship tunes. Hearing their footsteps and feeling safe knowing they are home when my other half is not. 


I hope they stick around for a while.


(And yes, I can be joyful that our previous tenants are happy in a new home -- just down the street and out of ear-shot!)

yes, there's joy even in the mess

Just last week, I wrote about finding joy everywhere, in everything ...


but yesterday morning it was difficult to find joy in the midst of my chaos and frustration.


Maybe you've had a moment like mine?


... when the pot holder slips and you drop a not-quite-done banana bread, spilling the pan's contents all over the open oven and kitchen floor?


For some reason, it's mistakes while baking that bring out my greatest rage. Throwing pot holders across the kitchen, storming out of the room, and of course some not so nice words that I am almost positive our neighbors could hear loud and clear.


Can there really be joy in moments like these?

In that moment, I was anything but joyful ... and it took me a little while to come around ...

• it took a husband getting on his hands and knees with me to clean up the mess
• it took a lot of multi-surface spray and half a roll of paper towels
• it took finding the right kitchen utensil to get the batter out of each oven crack without burning ourselves
• it took him leaning against the oven when we were done, saying I'm still a good baker
• it took us putting the ruined bread back in the oven and hoping for the best
• it took a stream of silly text messages from mom to make me laugh about it all

... but I guess, in the end, I can see how even the spilled mess of a banana bread can be a gift. As I reflect on yesterday's moments of weakness, I can now thank God for laughter and help in cleaning the chaos.

I can also thank God that I happened to make a double batch, and the other banana bread turned out just fine.