Draw them In

   It's no secret: children can be unruly and downright uncooperative. This said, I have noticed a trend among many that excludes the culprit from any and all activity leaving the child to himself with no recourse and no responsibility. That un-nerves me. Sent to their room, a desk facing the wall, standing 'over there', sitting in the hall- what does this do? Nothing at all. Well, maybe it tells them they don't have to do anything; that there is no bottom line; no boundary; no value to their presence.
   Whether among friends, family, or a student body the sight of 'exclusion discipline' drives me to the edge. It's not how I roll. I am one who draws them in; places them right next to me. Unruliness is a cry for attention (even if it is negative), or a cry to be ignored, even a cry to not be held responsible. I refuse to fall victim to these cries, instead valuing the person enough to lead them.
    

   Instead of pushing them away, I prefer to pull them near and 'stake them up' next to someone stronger- a mentor if you will. Drawing them in gives the attention, but offers accountability, purpose, and redirection. Example: a student quite verbally expresses disgust at the demo for today. His folded arms and set jaw accentuate his disdain. Overlooking this, he is assigned a table to work at as we all move on with the process. Continued attempts to be disruptive are causally met with warning, but not given too much address. When called upon to participate (measuring ingredients and stirring them in) he flat refuses. *at this point teachers offer to remove him, placing him in the hall as not to be disruptive* Instead, he is drawn in. Given the task of stirring the skillet as others measure out, he has to assume responsibility or face the consequence of burning the dish, thus ruining it. As we continue on, he begrudgingly takes the task and fulfills it. Mellowing, he later joins conversation.
    Before we get too romantic about the whole thing, it is not an easy, quick fix. I have seen a child throw themselves on the floor for a screaming fit and some stand in defiance refusing to yield. The key is to stand your ground and be willing to let the ax fall. The child who threw the fit- getting him to tell me the problem he had with his task was step one of many. I have more than once said, I need you to be a young man and take care of this. Rarely does it not end well- the Go Lady doesn't send kids away.
    Unfortunately, I have very little voice in the way friend, family, or the education facilities handle situations. They have their reasons, some are quite sound, for excluding. Teachers are overwhelmed with tasks and demands in their day and discipline is devalued and difficult. Before anyone takes this post in offence, let me say it isn't intended to be offensive- but thought provoking. For me, it's about stopping for a moment, considering the soul of this child, and trying to stir a spark.

Just A Moment In A Day

     Up and down and all around; each day is a maze traveled through. The return to my work 'routine' finds me hurrying here and there gathering it all together- trying to find the rhythm. On my way to an unexpected meeting I passed students sitting in the hallway between classes. Much younger than the ones I generally work with, they stare curiously at me as I walk by. One young boy checked cautiously with his friend to see if I was the teacher they were waiting for - I wasn't they confirmed. Suddenly a little girl beamed sweetly- she isn't our teacher; I know who she is.. she's the lady in the garden.
      It was just a moment in an ordinary day made significant by the child who brightened it. I couldn't help but smile and nod, confirming her stand. I am the lady in the garden; the one they see through the window as they pass by. That very morning they passed that place, all lined up in a row, as I hovered over half frozen plants. Watering and uncovering the weak little sprouts, they hesitate a wave- a smile- a giggle.
     It may have been just a moment in a day, but it was a moment I needed to remind me why I run here and there, to and fro keeping the crazy pace I seem to roll at. It was the moment I have returned to as I face the upcoming crazy days of recipe demonstrations, garden clubs, and planting dates. It is just a moment in a day- but it is a moment that makes my day- today and for many days to come.

The Beginning of the Go Lady

      It all started with gardening, no it was teaching- maybe it was cooking. While the true beginning of it all may be hard to nail down, the 'Go Lady' started with a heart for children and a love of inspiration. Joining a research project aimed at combating childhood obesity, I was deemed 'The Go Lady' by staff and students trying to connect who I was with why I was there (go is the last word in my job title, which is lengthy- and have you ever tried to say my last name?).
       In the beginning, it seemed a bit curt- maybe even negative. As we have gotten to know each other, falling into a rhythm of activity and responsibility, the title has become endearing and precious. Students know me by my big red SUV (the Go Mobile) and my extremely long hair. When I am dressed up with all my hair pinned atop my head, they know we are in the kitchen for some hands on nutrition. If I show up in jeans with my long braid swinging behind me, it must be time to get down and dirty in the garden.
        With such a span of activity comes adventure. Join me now and then as we peek into the classroom for a glimpse at my heart and the precious ones who touch it week after week. Sometimes our heart breaks as hardship is revealed, but other times we triumph over the smallest victory. There are days when we just can't stop laughing at the antics a group 3rd graders can come up with.
         Now that we are introduced, let's see where we end up next!

In the Box: Manipulatives

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     In the classroom, every inch of space is important..and every moment a teachable moment. The dread of every teacher is dead time..that lag in events or activities. Such laps in creative, productive energy give way to chaos and madness. To prevent laps and lags in time, especially if you end up with some 'extra' time on you hands..I keep a few tricks in my bag.

      Be it plain wooden blocks, a tub of sand, or a box of packing peanuts, manipulatives are handy items to keep little hands busy. Kids are amazingly intuitive and need no real instruction in this activity center. Setting out the items, children quickly begin to stack, poor, touch and tumble with vigor and imagination. 

      Over the years many forms of hands on manipulatives have traveled in my box: tantagrams, popcorn kernels/rice with cups and funnels, blocks, Legos, foam shapes, sand, packing peanuts with small toys tucked down in them, even play dough. 

       Despite the commercial notion that kids need the latest and greatest marketed play thing, raw materials draw out the inner workings of a child's mind opening the door to invention and imagination. Give them the box and the foam that came it..step back..and see what their amazing little minds conjure up.

What's Not in the Box?

   We have been looking into the box I use to teach my classes..now let's look at somethings not found in my box: modern media. I am well aware of nursery and children's programs using power point, television, and other contemporary media to get the message across. Many curriculum packets have cutesy music or cartoon-like pictures to assist their planned lesson. When faced with these items I smile and walk away. Modern media propaganda are never found in my box, and as it is my conviction, it never will be. But why?
     Media vies for our attention in so many ways- phones, Ipods, Ipads, computers, TV. These things are in our hands and in our faces all day every day often from rising to resting. Kids, and adults alike, get enough of this in their daily life- they just don't need it at church as well. A long standing conviction held by my family is that what stands as our entertainment should not be part of our worship and discipleship. Oh yes, gasping and balking are normal reactions. It's okay.
      When teaching the Bible and the truth of God's love/sacrifice for man we are trying to teach truth. In a media driven world the lines between truth and reality are very blurred. If Jesus looks just like the character from a child's cartoon channel, how do they grasp the concept Jesus is real, but the cartoons are fantasy?
       Spend a little time with children and we start to see that entertainment/media is abundant but opportunity to explore/imagine is short. Some children are afraid to make a mess or are unsure how to play without lights and whistles. I understand families are busy and play/explore is a messy thing..yet.
      In my classroom my conviction leads me to set up opportunity for learning fact from fiction..to explore from raw material..to create and participate. I am prepared for mess making, and cleaning up. Letting the children take a break from the noise and the entertainment won't hurt them...it gives them opportunity to do things they naturally long to do.

Home Living Applications

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   Children in a classroom come from all walks of life and all kinds of homes bringing with them unique insight and imagination. Many years ago I introduced the concept of a home living 'center' to my classroom set up and watched the responses to it. I loved what I saw- the imagination, interaction, role play. Children are amazing and when given the opportunity they show us just how amazing they are.
    A home living center offers us an opportunity to learn the value of family and home while applying Biblical concepts..and sometimes offers an avenue for children to step into the life of a Bible 'character'. Here the elements of our lesson become applicable to our daily lives, homes and relationships. Very little guidance, if any, is needed here...maybe an occasional cue as to the purpose of the center or a comment as to how the activity relates to the lesson.
     So how does this make it in the box? Prayer and contemplation. For example, my last lesson was in Genesis when God made Adam and Eve. So, as my week of study and prayer came to a close the idea stuck me to plan setting up a picnic play area. Basket, play food/dishes, blankets and a few baby dolls would fit the bill. Adam and Eve lived in the garden, God provided them food, and they were a family. Okay, we packed it - now how does it work?
      Set it out and they will figure it out. Children entered the room eager to explore the various things set about. One mentioned playing picnic..one decides to be daddy..one is a son. A little girl gathers food to put in the basket as a boy spreads a blanket. They cut food and share things- feeding the babies when, one exclaims the baby is sick and needs a doctor. One boy jumps up getting a spoon (car key) to drive them to the doctor, but along the way the car breaks down. Another boy puts the blanket on his shoulders and proceeds to fix the car (he is Robin, Robin helps). It's the battery..looking to a teacher he expresses need for a battery. She hands him plastic celery..no, he says, that is a screwdriver. Does that not crack you up?
       In the end we chatted about Adam and Eve, the kids are just sure they loved picnics in the garden and maybe God loved seeing them have picnics with His food. I loved the creative imagination they shared using simple items and little if no direction from any of us.

        Other items often found in the home living box....
                  fabric of all shapes, color, and size
                  dress up items and accessories
                  play tools, wood blocks or pieces
                  buckets, bowls, funnels and rice
                  dolls, kitchen items, table/chairs

       The point here is play- children love play. It's a valuable tool for interaction and learning I wound not want to do without. Some days are less elaborate, and we do have to mix things up to keep from developing boredom. Home living is a regular, but not necessarily a constant in my box.

Discover the Discovery Table

   One of the joys of childhood is the wonder of curiosity. To get close and personal with something- touch it and move it around. Children love discovery- and God offers us so many wonderful things to ponder. As we take a look at what's inside my box, one of the first things children get to know about me is I love to discover. Inside my box there is always found items for a discovery table.
   The purpose of my discover table is to draw their attention in. Families have hustled and bustled to get where they're going and children can be reluctant to separate from their parents. Having a table scattered with various items to touch and explore offers an opportunity to spark that curiosity God has given them. Items on the table engage their senses and spark conversation easily guided toward the day's lesson. It also lends well to cooperation and sharing..we have to take turns with the items on the table.
   Planning a discover table is a process I really enjoy. The text being studied and prayed about opens itself to so many adventures. Elements of the story become the elements of the table.. bark from a tree, sand from the river bank...insects from the field. As I daily read and pray over the upcoming lesson a few ideas pop in there and there..I am a note scribbler, so a notebook is always nearby for taking down ideas with.
   The process is so easy. I place a table just inside the door of the classroom and set various objects on it. Build it and they will come. Kid's love to run over and see what is there. Just this week we held an emu egg and inspected a dragon fly..there were flowers and leaves to explore. Every detail is fascinating to them..and God made every part. The veins of a leaf or the petals of a flower- lacy wings and bulging eyes..kids love this stuff.
    My table isn't always leaves and pine cones. Sometimes it is packing peanuts with little objects hidden inside for the children to dig around in. or a plastic tub of rice to drive cars through. This week we had a glittery bottle the children loved rocking back and forth to see the movements of the liquid. The point is discover tables are for discovering and not for breaking the bank with.

   Two Sample Table Set-ups

"God Made the Heaven's and Earth"                                                   "John the Baptist"

         leaves/bark/flowers                                                                         fur/leather

                soil/water                                                                                insects in a jar

          fruit/veg/plants                                                                            honey/honeycomb

            feathers/nest                                                                              foliage/sand/water

   As you can see from my sample list, a discover table gives a jumping off point for a lesson. It can open conversation about the settings, characters or lifestyle surrounding the lesson. I love this part of my classroom because the kids are comfortable sharing and talking through their thoughts and questions..we learn from each other and sometimes they just crack me up. You can get really caught up in the fact mint leaves smell like gum or how a no one can find the ears or the butt on a dragon fly...and that's okay, just guild them a bit it will work out.

    Discovery items are always part of my lessons, but they are never the only thing. Join me again next week for another peek inside the box.

**To make the bottle pictured above, simple fill a water bottle 3/4 full with corn syrup and pour in 4 tablespoons of glitter (any color). Food coloring can be added for a different twist. Children love this.. this week my class mentioned it looked like waves on the ocean, how fun is that?