If one can hear close enough, one can hear the sounds of stirring prior to the start of the year. These sounds reveal quite a deal. They show excitement, nervousness, anticipation, and wonderment. I have always admired how Kindergarten children view their first days of school. They lay out their outfits, make sure their shoes are new, and aerate their backpacks with pencils sharpened. They are ready for the new dawn, excellent and fair. In harkening to this image, I believe that some of our students possess the same mindset. Just as the Democrats are preparing for something new and unique, I hope many of our students carry the same mindset as they begin their 7.1 experiences.
Yet, I thought that I would offer some thoughts for 7.1 students in this, their first week. These small items might provide some guidance in the amazingly harrowing terrain presented within the first week. They might also give students the ground where they can “plant their feet” in the name of taking steps to accomplish something that represents “the good, the true, and the beautiful.”
* Report on time on Tuesday- The first day of school is on Tuesday. The doors will open at 8:50 AM and students should consider reporting around that time. My advice would be for students to find their advisory teachers as soon as possible in the gym and check in with all possible haste. It is important for the 7.1 experience to begin immediately. Students who check in quickly with their advisory teachers can start the process that awaits.
* Know your schedules, your two schedules- When students move to their advisory classroom, they will be in possession of two schedules. The first schedule is their “real” schedule. It will have a “Core Extension” class period, and should be similar to the one they received over summer, prior to the first day. The second schedule will be given to students on Tuesday. It will have a “Health” class period. This schedule will be in full effect for the first six to seven weeks of school. Students will be expected to follow this schedule immediately. They should consign this to memory.
* Know your locker combination- Naturally, students should spend the first advisory period memorizing the locker combination that will be given to them. Place this in memory as quickly as possible and refrain from giving this combination to anyone.
* Read the “Signs”- There are two kinds of students in this world: Those that see signs as something important and those who discard them as not important. My hopes are that the 7.1 student is closer to the former than the latter. When students begin their class rotation and daily schedule, my advice would be for them to pay attention to the signs that will greet you in the hallway, on music stands, and on top of tables. These signs will tremendously assist students. The beauty about such signs is that they confirm that “we are not alone.”
* Use the first week to develop a successful pattern of academic behavior- Sometimes, students do not pay attention to what is asked of them in the first week. They mistakenly believe that “it’s only the first week, or only the first day, so why complete homework?” In the words of the 80s commercial, “Bad Idea Jeans.” I think it’s really important for students to hit the ground running and complete the first homework assignments presented in the first week. This would include reading over the opening day document and generating at least three questions, completing the personal inventory, and identifying five personal items and developing thoughts on how “outsiders” would view these items. It is essential for students to develop a pattern of academic success as early and as quickly as possible. This cannot be done if homework is deferred or not completed.
* Use the first week to observe without being observed- Sometimes, students view the first week as an opportunity to “test” the teacher/ student boundary. This might be a natural part of the growing up process. Yet, I would like to offer something different. It is essential that students, in order to be successful, understand their “bosses” or their teachers. I think that it would behoove students to gain a better understanding of their teachers by using the first week to examine how these teachers operate. What is it that these teachers respond to in a positive manner? What repulses them? Rather than testing boundaries with arbitrary and silly displays of power and tension, why not observe these teachers in a manner that shows precision, depth, and awareness? Sometimes, we learn so much more by observing and noting that speaking and annoying.
* “See” the journey- One theme that will present itself throughout the first week is the notion of “the journey.” Each year is a journey and each journey is a lifetime. Another conception of “the journey” is how this class will bring students farther along the path of intellectual scholarship and this voyage is an integral part of this classroom’s experience. As we commence our first week, we take the first steps of this journey, our journey. Students might want to consider “seeing” this journey even in the first week as it will bring a better understanding to the weeks and months that will follow.
Fairy tales and noble lies aside, students can use the first week, this week, to help bring more understanding to their experience as 7.1 emerging scholars.
All best and happy hunting.
Mr. Kannan
P.S. Have you paid attention to the items present on the blog? Wacky metaphoric analysis? Quotes to place the journey into context? The homework links? Investigate, my curious scholars, query, analyze, seek a better understanding of what lies in front of you.
Yet, I thought that I would offer some thoughts for 7.1 students in this, their first week. These small items might provide some guidance in the amazingly harrowing terrain presented within the first week. They might also give students the ground where they can “plant their feet” in the name of taking steps to accomplish something that represents “the good, the true, and the beautiful.”
* Report on time on Tuesday- The first day of school is on Tuesday. The doors will open at 8:50 AM and students should consider reporting around that time. My advice would be for students to find their advisory teachers as soon as possible in the gym and check in with all possible haste. It is important for the 7.1 experience to begin immediately. Students who check in quickly with their advisory teachers can start the process that awaits.
* Know your schedules, your two schedules- When students move to their advisory classroom, they will be in possession of two schedules. The first schedule is their “real” schedule. It will have a “Core Extension” class period, and should be similar to the one they received over summer, prior to the first day. The second schedule will be given to students on Tuesday. It will have a “Health” class period. This schedule will be in full effect for the first six to seven weeks of school. Students will be expected to follow this schedule immediately. They should consign this to memory.
* Know your locker combination- Naturally, students should spend the first advisory period memorizing the locker combination that will be given to them. Place this in memory as quickly as possible and refrain from giving this combination to anyone.
* Read the “Signs”- There are two kinds of students in this world: Those that see signs as something important and those who discard them as not important. My hopes are that the 7.1 student is closer to the former than the latter. When students begin their class rotation and daily schedule, my advice would be for them to pay attention to the signs that will greet you in the hallway, on music stands, and on top of tables. These signs will tremendously assist students. The beauty about such signs is that they confirm that “we are not alone.”
* Use the first week to develop a successful pattern of academic behavior- Sometimes, students do not pay attention to what is asked of them in the first week. They mistakenly believe that “it’s only the first week, or only the first day, so why complete homework?” In the words of the 80s commercial, “Bad Idea Jeans.” I think it’s really important for students to hit the ground running and complete the first homework assignments presented in the first week. This would include reading over the opening day document and generating at least three questions, completing the personal inventory, and identifying five personal items and developing thoughts on how “outsiders” would view these items. It is essential for students to develop a pattern of academic success as early and as quickly as possible. This cannot be done if homework is deferred or not completed.
* Use the first week to observe without being observed- Sometimes, students view the first week as an opportunity to “test” the teacher/ student boundary. This might be a natural part of the growing up process. Yet, I would like to offer something different. It is essential that students, in order to be successful, understand their “bosses” or their teachers. I think that it would behoove students to gain a better understanding of their teachers by using the first week to examine how these teachers operate. What is it that these teachers respond to in a positive manner? What repulses them? Rather than testing boundaries with arbitrary and silly displays of power and tension, why not observe these teachers in a manner that shows precision, depth, and awareness? Sometimes, we learn so much more by observing and noting that speaking and annoying.
* “See” the journey- One theme that will present itself throughout the first week is the notion of “the journey.” Each year is a journey and each journey is a lifetime. Another conception of “the journey” is how this class will bring students farther along the path of intellectual scholarship and this voyage is an integral part of this classroom’s experience. As we commence our first week, we take the first steps of this journey, our journey. Students might want to consider “seeing” this journey even in the first week as it will bring a better understanding to the weeks and months that will follow.
Fairy tales and noble lies aside, students can use the first week, this week, to help bring more understanding to their experience as 7.1 emerging scholars.
All best and happy hunting.
Mr. Kannan
P.S. Have you paid attention to the items present on the blog? Wacky metaphoric analysis? Quotes to place the journey into context? The homework links? Investigate, my curious scholars, query, analyze, seek a better understanding of what lies in front of you.
P.P.S. To my former students, I mailed out letters last week. I did not have some of your addresses, so I will be delivering your letters through your 8th grade teams within the first week of school. I am sorry for the inconvenience.
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