Finding light in this season
We are in the middle of an arctic blast here in upstate New York which means indoor recess and even less time to get outside and take in the precious sun. Cold weather means we lose the respite of fresh air and stay cooped up in our classrooms navigating lots of kid energy that needs releasing! There is a heaviness that comes with winter. Literally with the layers of heavy clothing needed to brave the winter winds and in the classroom with the mid-year testing. I witness this heaviness with my daughter in high school whose weeks seem to be measured by mid-terms and test after test. I feel in my fifth grade classroom as we complete mid-year assessments and report cards approach.
This past weekend I attended a mid- winter writing retreat with the Capital District Writing Project (a branch of the National Writing Project) at the University at Albany. These events are open to every educator and I highly recommend them. For this session, the CDWP invited Shamari Reid, NYU professor of education and author of Humans Who Teach: A Guide for Centering Love, Justice and Liberation in Schools to guide us in writing and reflecting on our identities as teachers. During the workshop, he asked us to reflect on self-care and write about what we need. Today I consider the question: What do I need in this dark, cold season? My answer: I need LIGHT.
So this morning I am thinking about light, warmth and comfort. I am asking: What is light? Where can we find it in our daily lives and in our classrooms? Maybe more importantly, how can we create it?
What is light for me?
Laughter. Smiles. Fun. Chatting with my students. Getting to know them as people. Hearing their ideas and insights.
Where do I find light in the classroom curriculum?
When my students’ voices, identities and creativity shine through in their writing.
Book clubs! Sharing books I love and watching my students get to know characters such as Zoe From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks, Malu The First Rule of Punk by Celia Perez, Omar Panet Omar Trouble Magnet by Zanib Maian, and Ellie Roll With It by Jamie Sumner.
Bearing witness to students as they engage in deep conversations and grapple with themes from texts that impact their lives.
A few small ways I can add opportunities for light in our day:
Build on students’ knowledge about Martin Luther King, Jr. to discuss advocacy in our world particularly kid activists as highlighted in the text, No Voice too Small Illustrated by Jeanette Bradley and edited by Lindsay H. Metcalf, Keila V. Dawson and Jeanette Bradley.
Create opportunities for writing! This topic deserves its own post as the majority of current school curriculums privilege reading and writing in service of reading. This week, we’ll take inspiration from student activists and write about issues close to our hearts in our writing notebooks. This writing may take the form of poems, letters, articles… we’ll see!
Hold a book club meeting!
I invite you to reflect on these questions:
What do you need?
Where can you find it?
How can you create it?
Whether it is inside the classroom or outside, I wish you light and hope this season.
