Back in November of 2011, my alma mater, Western Kentucky University (Go Tops!) hosted an evening with Rafe Esquith, who is a nationally-known teacher due to this books and accolades, including Teacher of the Year. My wife and I drove over to Bowling Green to hear him speak that night and I took some brief notes on what he had to say. I found that yellow legal pad in the process of Spring Cleaning this year and here are the notes…nearly four years later:
 |
| Rafe Esquith, along w/his beard |
1.) There are two rules in Rafe's classroom:
- Work Hard
- Be Nice
Why have so many rules that the kids can't possible remember? Whenever you can, keep it simple.
SIDENOTE: this is the reason I shortened my rules down to two: respect everyone and take pride in your work. Pretty much the same thing.
2.) Base classroom on TRUST, not FEAR.
Most kids in the old school way of classroom management were taught in a room filled with fear; one in which if you didn't say or do the right things, there was a paddle for your backside awaiting as punishment.
In this day and age, it's a completely different world. Rafe spends a few weeks at the beginning of each school year going over Kohlberg's Moral Development theory with his 5th graders. He contends that a teacher will get far more out of children if they trust the teacher rather than fear him/her. I agree.'
3.) Be Relevant
This was just a passing sentiment that is way too broad to cover here, but the one example he gave was based on classroom management website that treated the room as an economic system. The website can be found at My Classroom Economy.
4.) Teach literature that makes real-life connections.
I don't know why someone, especially an ELA teacher, would ever do this, but it was in my notes. So, there you have it.
5.) It's okay to fail; it's not okay to not try.
Of all the things Rafe said that night, this is the one that has stuck with the most, mainly this phrase: "each year, add something new. Don't shrink the menu; keep adding to it." For this year, it's #20Time or Genius Hour. Here's to not shrinking the menu.
6.) Don't stop being you!
Rafe finds a way to inject himself into his classroom. For example, he loves rock and roll and baseball; therefore, those items sneak their way into lessons. Your passion is contagious. Use that to your advantage.
7.) Create a safe haven in your class.
Rafe's kids come from some pretty rough spots in Los Angeles, CA. He committed long ago to ensuring that his room was a special place where all kids, regardless of background, socioeconomic status, etc. would be welcomed, loved, and accepted.
8.) True assessments are measured years after a student has left the classroom.
Rafe said he hopes that his students perform well on standardized tests; however, he followed that up with this gem: "if you went into teaching merely to raise test scores, what the heck is wrong with you?'
Amen, Rafe.
Thanks for the lessons. Four years ago.
~Mr. D
No comments:
Post a Comment