school & life (school & life)

Today, I spent many hours getting my classroom ready for the first graders. It was my fourth day leveling my library (much like matching approximately 900 pairs of socks, for those of you who don't know what that means) and trying not to freak out over the fact that I have no idea what I will actually be teaching on Thursday. I do not have any curriculum nor do I know which curriculum I will be using during the school year. I think I may have nightmares about miseducation until the first day of school.

As I was preparing my classroom, I also thought about the world I am a part of and what it means to educate children now. Last year, my kindergarteners talked about the war and the tsunami. They worried for their families and I had no way to make them feel less confused. I tried to make them feel safe in the classroom...something I do because I think it is essential. However, I am pretty sure the children in my school literally watched the Twin Towers fall through our school windows. Sometimes, I am very aware of how conflicted I feel.

The bombings in London's subways and on the streets of Iraq have caused me fear. The destruction of life in Louisiana is more than I can comprehend. And, there are so many other things I read about (or, don't even hear about) that do not make sense. What does this mean to someone who will be 6 on their next birthday?

To be a teacher, right now (and probably always), means creating some type of appropriate space for the children to discuss their world and help them figure out how to have a positive impact their world. On Thursday, I think that I must listen to my students' observations of what they have seen. That is the only way I know to help them figure out what it is that they need, right now.