I had a major reminder of one my seminar principles over Thanksgiving week. I was home with my two children everyday all week while my wife was working. Normally this would be fine, but I also had several things I was working on like sitting at the computer and brainstorming blog ideas. As my children competed for my divided attention, I felt the beginnings of frustration creeping in (O.K., O.K., more than the beginnings!). Right before I snapped, it hit me…sometimes I need to take my own damn seminar. I teach this stuff! I was not following the principle of “Immersion.” Divided attention is ineffective and creates a major loss of personal power. I set my work aside and made the firm decision to just “be” with my kids. That means being fully present, going with the flow, and surrendering my need to be in control all of the time.
How did it end up? We had an incredible day exploring the canyons of Tierrasanta and going wherever they wanted to go. We chatted along the way and I bore witness to the innate creativity that children can show when not over-scheduled and “structured” to death. By the way, by personally letting go, I also freed up my mind to come upon my blog topic naturally. I got more ideas and clarity by taking a walk then I ever would have by staring at a computer screen. Sometimes we need to give our brain the vision and then let our conscious mind get out of the way and let the unconscious do its thing.
This applies to the classroom in more ways than I can possibly mention. I’m a firm believer in having structure and definite plans for the direction of lessons but…and this is a big but (apologies to Sir Mixalot), sometimes things happen that demand a change in direction and a “letting go” of the plan. The teachable moment is called that because if you wait it will be gone! It’s O.K. to surrender your structure in the pursuit of something far more valuable in the moment.
“But wait…the state test is coming up soon. Surely my students will never recover and get back on pace.”
Well, here’s what I say: At some point in your career you have to decide if you are about teaching to tests or teaching to kids. My decision was made a long time ago. I teach kids. Don’t let the current overemphasis on standardized test scores lead to the loss of the teachable moment. The reason for structure and the effective use of time in the classroom is to allow you the flexibility to let “the moment” happen without any sense of guilt. Sometimes we need to just “be” with our students and let our class take the figurative walk through the canyons together.