WEDNESDAY, JUNE 29, 2011
Routines, Routines!
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So sorry for the long address. I tried to copy paste the picture, but it wouldn't allow me.
I've struggled for almost a week now trying to find the perfect cartoon for my blog post. It has been very difficult. After much searching, I finally came across one that I thought I could connect to the TWB characteristics.
In this cartoon, it is very obvious that there has been a fire drill in the classroom, and that the regular teacher wasn't there for the drill. Someone chose to exit the building for the drill via the window!
So, how does this relate to TWB characteristics you ask? Well, it is totally opposite. There is nothing in this cartoon that would make the school environment inviting or safe. If this characteristic could have gone more in debt, I feel that routines and expectations would fit in here, with also a joyful community that promotes in-depth learning and enhances students' physical and emotional well-being. It's so important to start each year off being very explicit and up front about teacher expectations and establishing those routines and procedures day after day. As a first year teacher this past year, I struggled and let off too soon, and lost some of the routines that I'd worked so hard to establish in the beginning of the year.
So, again, for a safe environment to promote students' physical well-being, get those routines and procedures established. Exit via classroom window doesn't work too well for fire drills. And, you never know who is going to be in your room during that drill...it may not be you!!
Wow, this makes me think about our fire drills, or lack there of (but I won't go there). It also reminds me of our tornado drills, which were an absolute blunder last year. During the first one the new teacher across the hall didn't know she was suppose to send her kids next door to make room for my class and two others. Then, the vice principal came in and was upset because the kids were standing around. Obviously someone didn't tell the new teacher what to do, but it was still embarassing for her. The next time wasn't much better, because the kids couldn't find spots to get against the wall! Bottom line, it is so important to think about all of the logistics when planning for emergency situations. If the first one would have been real, we would have been in trouble. You are so right Lindsey, what if a sub is in your room when something happens? Everyone needs to know what to do in case of an emergency, and the rules and procedures need to be understood by everyone that COULD be involved. Thanks for bringing up this important point!
ReplyDeleteSunny, reading your comment cracked me up and took me back to my first 'first firedrill' as a teacher. I went bananas! It was soo funny. I was more mad at myself at the time, now I just look back laughing. I couldn't manage to grab everything that I needed. Not to worry, after that first one of being the LAST CLASS OUT to radio in, my class was on top of it the rest of the year. You just absolutely NEVER EVER KNOW what might possibly happen on a daily basis!
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