The First Day of School-Get To or Have To?

by Angela Maiers on 20. Aug, 2008 in TEACHING AND LEARNING

Today marks another first day of school for my children. Ryan, 13, is beginning 7^th grade, and my youngest, Abby, a fifth-grader.

We have had the same routine every year: pictures on the front porch, breakfast together, and mom crying after they are dropped off (yes, even after all this time-it still gets me!)

The tears are a blend of emotion and excitement, anticipation and hope, for what the year will be like. As they get older I am seeing the dreaded change that I talk to parents and educators about; school is becoming a place where they "have-to"go rather than "get-to" go.

As I look back at this first day in years past, I remember their excitement and anticipation. I still find myself asking the question-What happens?

Unfortunately, I know exactly what happens. School becomes just that: a "have-to" not a "get-to".

Students "have-to" read, "have-to" complete assignments, "have-to" listen, "have-to" sit, raise their hands,etc…

Please do not mistake what I am saying, in life there are definitely "have-to’s", but in my life, the "get-to’s" far out weigh.

Here’s my hope, my wonder: Do "our" kids "Get-To":

Ask Questions- not only content but one another

Collaborate-with one another, other classrooms, and other worlds that exist outside of their classroom walls

Create-not with cotton balls and pipe cleaners, but with their minds. Is their imagination ignited, will their curiosity be peaked, will creativity be a valued ingredient in their classroom?

Talk-about issues that matter most, about big ideas, and things that can change the world

Feel Proud-real pride comes with ownership. Who "owns" their classroom? Who owns the learning?

Think-not just memorize and regurgitate, but really think! Do they "get-to" grapple, struggle, and experience the breakthrough that often follows?

Share-their opinions, their thoughts, their wonders, and most importantly share their hearts.

As a parent sending their best, I hope for their best. I believe that school can be a "get-to" while still accomplishing the "have-to".

Imagine with me the day all students walk through the classroom doors on the first day saying:

"I am soooo lucky-I "get-to" do this everyday!"

Like This and Want More?
Subscribe to Angela!

« New Year's Mantra...

Teaching With Intentio... »

http://eutextilenews.blogspot.com european textile news

Websites you should visit…

[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]……
http://triouvzsitz.com triouvzsitz

Gems form the internet…

[...]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[...]……
http://aramnitsozs.com aramnitso

Recommeneded websites…

[...]Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors[...]……
http://plarionizsz.com Andy Tern

Sites we Like……

[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
http://www.eclipseroofing.com/choose-quality-for-your-prairie-village-roofing.html prairie village roofing

Cool sites…

[...]we came across a cool site that you might enjoy. Take a look if you want[...]……
http://whitemattermarketing.com Neuroscience Marketing

Gems form the internet…

[...]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[...]……
http://www.i-stressrelief.co.uk stress relief

Sites we Like……

[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
http://www.easyrealestateschool.com/mortgage-education/ Mortgage Education

Read was interesting, stay in touch……

[...]please visit the sites we follow, including this one, as it represents our picks from the web[...]……
http://unlockiphone5x.com jailbreak iphone 5

Websites you should visit…

[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]……
http://www.garagedooropeners.net.au/ Garage door openers

Great website…

[...]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[...]……
http://www.palmyraproperty.com Mauritius Self Catering

Recent Blogroll Additions……

[...]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[...]……
http://youtu.be/qBc-zS4F7Uo condominium inspection new york

Great website…

[...]we like to honor many other internet sites on the web, even if they aren’t linked to us, by linking to them. Under are some webpages worth checking out[...]……
http://www.saltwatersoftener.net magnetic water softener

Websites you should visit…

[...]below you’ll find the link to some sites that we think you should visit[...]……
http://www.escortcentre.co.uk bradford escorts

Recommeneded websites…

[...]Here are some of the sites we recommend for our visitors[...]……
http://www.wjbusiness.co.uk house builders in london

Check this out…

[...] that is the end of this article. Here you’ll find some sites that we think you’ll appreciate, just click the links over[...]……
http://www.escortamsterdam24.nl/ Escort Amsterdam

Links…

[...]Sites of interest we have a link to[...]……
http://www.everythingbooks.com.au audio books

You should check this out…

[...] Wonderful story, reckoned we could combine a few unrelated data, nevertheless really worth taking a look, whoa did one learn about Mid East has got more problerms as well [...]……
http://www.bloggcasting.com/ Video games

Sites we Like……

[...] Every once in a while we choose blogs that we read. Listed below are the latest sites that we choose [...]……
http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/foundation-financial-group-named-inc-5005000-growing-company-129048698.html Foundation Financial Group

Sources…

[...]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[...]……
http://www.theguayaberashirtstore.com beach wedding attire

Websites we think you should visit…

[...]although websites we backlink to below are considerably not related to ours, we feel they are actually worth a go through, so have a look[...]……
http://affiliatemarketingguild.com affiliate marketing

Recent Blogroll Additions……

[...]usually posts some very interesting stuff like this. If you’re new to this site[...]……
http://www.urbanspacesquirrels.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=570 Tomas Shapiro

abasia…

thomas sabo packings ukJust about every jacket is created in this sort of a way…
http://www.relationshipadvicemanual.com relationship advice

Sources…

[...]check below, are some totally unrelated websites to ours, however, they are most trustworthy sources that we use[...]……
http://www.djstasteofthe50s.com restaurant lancaster

Comment…

I like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon….
http://www.ezsolution.com/computer-support.asp computer stores lancaster pa

Comment…

I was very pleased to find this website. I wanted to thank you for your time for this excellent post!!…
http://www.attractmennow.com how to attract men

Wikia…

Wika linked to this website…
http://www.georgeswood.com amish furniture

Comment…

very good post, i certainly love this website, keep on it…
http://www.technologymarketingtoolkit.com/about.php mspu

Comment…

Aw, this was a really nice post. In thought I would like to write like this – taking time and actual effort to make an excellent article is very rare……
http://www.tigerseomarketing.com/search-engine-marketing.html Atlanta Internet Marketing

Recommended websites…

Amazing blog! Thanks for the great contribution with this post….
http://www.network-it.net computer repair hartford ct

Comment…

Thanks for the great info….
http://top-rated-online-casinos03.tumblr.com/post/10029243194/ideal-casinos-land-centered-or-online-casinos Real online casino

Amazing site…

I really liked your blog, thanks for sharing this useful information……
http://ypotain866.insanejournal.com/ Play baccarat online

Websites worth visiting…

I enjoyed reading your article, many thanks….
http://www.RainX.net Rain-X

Great website…

Cool post, I really enjoyed reading it. I will check out your site for some more content on this subject….
https://homedecorbytpt.com/index.php/artificial-silk-flowers.html artificial silk flowers

Great website…

Cool post, I really enjoyed reading it. I will check out your site for some more content on this subject….
http://www.signed-wall-art.com modern prints

Great website…

Cool post, I really enjoyed reading it. I will check out your site for some more content on this subject….
http://www.hitchesonline.com/special_mount_main.htm#RAPID%20HITCH rapid hitch

Comment…

There are some attention-grabbing points on this article however I don’t know if I see all of them heart to heart. There may be some validity however I will take hold an opinion until I look into it further. Good article , thanks and we would like more…
http://forolive.com.nu/index.php?action=profile;u=850 Dani Geffert

Gems form the internet…

[...]very few websites that happen to be detailed below, from our point of view are undoubtedly well worth checking out[...]……