Chapter 6 Compassion
Having consideration for others is key in our society. How often do we forget to "walk a mile in someone else's shoes" before we place blame or scorn someone for something over which he/she may ultimately have no control at that particular point in his/her life? Ron Clark discusses compassion in schools and does so by building climate in his school. From the moment I arrived in his school in June, from my greeting by the receptionist and security guard, to the tour from the students, to the presentation in his classroom, the message was the same....compassion and passion for teaching. He writes, "As teachers we must be aware of the climate of our classrooms and how the students are interacting with one another. We have to make sure that our students feel safe and comfortable and that they are able to focus on their education." One of the most powerful staff development sessions that I ever embarked on was a bus ride. We all loaded on yellow school buses and traveled the bus route that some of our students do each day. We were able to see how long the bus ride was, etc. We don't know for certain what some of the issues our students bring to the classroom each day, but this bus ride awakened me to this learning experience. Clark continues, "Once kids understand and realize the feelings and emotions of others, they are much more willing to respect those who are different from them."
Also, Clark writes about having compassion for the elderly. Our school does a wonderful job with performing outreach service learning projects with local nursing homes, etc. However, this year, I want to take this task one step further. I want each homeroom to adopt a Grand. Think about someone in our community who may need a little compassion and "invite" them to your classrooms monthly to eat lunch, volunteer, etc. "What is important is that through these efforts students begin to realize how the elderly in our society should be honored, appreciated, and respectfully treated."
On to Chapter 7......I look forward to your responses and start thinking about your Grand adoptions!
Also, Clark writes about having compassion for the elderly. Our school does a wonderful job with performing outreach service learning projects with local nursing homes, etc. However, this year, I want to take this task one step further. I want each homeroom to adopt a Grand. Think about someone in our community who may need a little compassion and "invite" them to your classrooms monthly to eat lunch, volunteer, etc. "What is important is that through these efforts students begin to realize how the elderly in our society should be honored, appreciated, and respectfully treated."
On to Chapter 7......I look forward to your responses and start thinking about your Grand adoptions!
Chapter 6 I really liked the opening quote where it said, “curriculum is so much raw material, but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.” We all need compassion, consideration and kindness, deserved and more importantly undeserved, like our Lord shows us. Sometimes it is easy to be compassionate when the object is self, or friends or family or someone we wish to impress, however, having a consistent compassion that flows to all others we touch, that is the ultimate encouragement, which then leads to comfort, effort and success. I like the emphasis on creating a classroom climate that lends to this view for all fellow students and those everywhere that come into our lives.
I notice the students do become proud of how they treat others and confident knowing how their classmates will treat them. This then leaves them with the desire to pour compassion on others, I see this in sharing toys with other classes and even more so as the school provides opportunities to write notes to the veterans, or send special work to the nursing homes or donations of canned goods to those in need or simply thanking visitors and other school workers such as the maintenance and cafeteria staff.
I also like how Ron pointed out discussing with our students to “put themselves in the place of others” and think how we might feel. When you talk these thoughts out with students and as a group, you can see the compassion rise and the understanding collectively rise up and take a place of importance. Reminding ourselves and our students that respect is a personal character trait that reflects who we are as people, not who the person we do or do not treat with respect is, also brings a desire for respect to all others, regardless of age, likeability or desire.
~Teri~
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Stephanie D (Comment this)
Every year I teach an introductory lesson on using the Internet for research. I talk about how there is good stuff and bad stuff out there & teach them how to analyze what they see. Then I pull up my favorite "fake website." It's all about the tree octopus that lives out in the Pacific Northwest. http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/. It's a very professional looking. page that describes how the tree octopus is endangered and may become extinct without the help of concerned American citizens. There are no typos, the pictures are very clear and captioned. There are maps, "quotes from"experts," and it really does look very convincing. I go through the site with the kids describing the plight of the tree octopus and eventually asking the kids if this is something that DME should take on as a project to raise funds for this endangered species. It never fails. Inevitably, the majority of the class are ready and even eager to start collecting change to save the tree octopus. Now, I'm not sure what this says about my ability to teach them to analyze the validity of web sites or our students' vulnerability, but.... it does show that our students have compassion. From Relay for Life, Jump Rope for Heart, raising money for the tsunami victims or the victims of Hurricane Katrina, our kids (and their families) are always willing to lend a helping hand.
We are very lucky to be a part of such a kind, caring and compassionate network of people. I am continually reminded of that at DME.
Betsy (Comment this)
In this chapter Mr. Clark states, "As teachers we must be aware of the climate of our classrooms and how the students are interacting with one another. We have to make sure that our students feel safe and comfortable and that they are able to focus on their educations." Safety is the number one thing that Mrs. Catoe ensures that DME is focused on. This statement just reaffirms that through providing this safety, the students here at DME are able to just be kids and enjoy and have fun as they are learning.
I feel so lucky to be a part of this school environment!
Wendy Todd (Comment this)
My class is a family. I teach that from day 1 through to the 180. I tell my students that the world is hard enough on people, in here we WILL take care of eachother and treat eachother with respect - even if you don't want to be friends.
Of course this theory goes "hand in hand" with compassion. To truely understand compassion students need to see teachers having compassion for their principals, fellow teachers, and their classmates. Whether you can totally comprehend and/or understand what someone is going through doesn't matter. What matters is that you have empathy for that person. (Comment this)