Preserving Dignity

In Will This Attack or Preserve the Dignity of a Child? from @DavidGeurin Blog, David Geurin  asks,

“Can you think of other examples of practices that might chip away at students' dignity?”

I think the biggest event that chips away at student’s dignity is by making them ashamed of making mistakes. I feel that many students don’t even try because they are so fearful of making mistakes. When I ask them what is the worst thing that can happen, they answer that they would rather look rebellious than look stupid. Too many times teachers let students get away with that behavior.

I think we need to look past that rebellion and see the behavior for what it really is.

I look for ways that allow students to make mistakes without ridicule. Sometimes the ridicule comes more from themselves than others. I tell that it is like having a zit on your face that no one else notices except them and they feel like the zit is as big as a pepperoni on their face! This makes them laugh and hopefully put it more into perspective.

I make sure that everyone in the class knows that laughing at someone else’s mistakes will not be tolerated. I ask the students to brainstorm ways to support others when a mistake happens. By listing ways to support others, it helps them share ways that they wish someone had shown them. It really brings the class together when they share these support methods. If someone does slip and laugh when someone makes a mistake, we talk about how we can gently guide them to changing their behavior because the misbehavior may actually be a mistake too.

I also think it is important to teach students to share their feelings without being aggressive and angry. If someone ridicules them when they make a mistake, they should stop and tell that person that they don’t appreciate this behavior and it hurts their feelings. Maybe the other person doesn’t realize how this behavior affects someone else or maybe it takes a bigger person to confront them about it. If this behavior is left alone, it could turn into bullying.

What behaviors do you see that affect a student’s dignity and how do you handle it? Please share. 

The Pledge of Allegiance

In Saying the Pledge or not? from Blue Skunk Blog, Doug Johnson discusses the question,

"Should your school ask kids to say the Pledge?"

Every school that I’ve taught at has had the students recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Most of the time there is someone over the intercom that starts it and each class stands and repeats it.

I have no problem encouraging my students to stand up and say the Pledge. I’m disheartened that we don’t teach pride in our nation anymore and maybe that is why the young people of today do not have a lot of respect for our country. I encourage my students to feel this pride and express allegiance to our country.

Along with having to learn the Pledge of Allegiance, I also had to learn the Star Spangled Banner. I remember growing up and having to memorize what was on the Statue of Liberty:

“Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free;
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore,

Send these, the homeless,
Tempest-tossed to me
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

We were also encouraged to have pride in our country and the things that it stands for such as freedom and tolerance. Hearing my father’s first hand knowledge about what it was like to escape communism, it made me even more grateful to live in our country.

So, I have no problem for those with religions other than Christianity, I don’t see why the words “under God” are a problem. It does not designate that the God is a Christian God or a Buddhist God or any other God. For those that don’t believe in God can just not say those two words but continue with the other words.

For those that don’t want to say the Pledge, I call the parents and as long as the parents agree that their child doesn’t have to say it, I just ask that they respect the fact that others will say it. Many parents have served in the military and fought for our country and would be horrified to know that their children refuse to say the pledge or are disrespectful during the saying of it. By calling the parents, I am giving them the opportunity to discuss this at home as a family.

I don’t force my students to say the Pledge but I do enforce that they show respect. They can stand quietly and respectfully and remove their hats while it is being said and the same goes for the national anthem.

Toot Your Own Horn

In Jealousy or Revelry? From Sioux's Page, Sioux states,

“So the next time you look a little green-with-envy, think of how you can bask in that warmth, too.”

When I read this this post, it made me think about the times that I have done something good or rewarding and I’ve been hesitant to talk about it in fear of bragging or making others feel bad. In fact, I had a friend mention that I just liked attention and that I was a too boastful.

I am afraid that society has made people afraid to feel good about their actions. It seems like not only should we not talk about our own actions but we don’t praise the good that we see others do. Look at the news. Everything is negative and there are very few times we see the good in people. The few positive stores that are mentioned and people act bored or not interested. Bad news sells and good news doesn’t.

Many administrators are too busy putting our fires (dealing with problems) to adequately praise the teachers who are doing exceptional things. I think it is important for teachers to let their administrators know when they do something good. In fact, the good administrators appreciate it because it is refreshing to hear something positive.

There is nothing wrong with tooting your own horn. It is okay to feel proud of yourself and it helps your confidence and self-esteem. By doing so, you are being a great role model for your students. You can show them an appropriate way of sharing your good news without putting others down.

The ones who make you feel bad are the ones who wish they had something to brag about. When they say things to make you feel embarrassed rather than being supportive, it is time to confront them about their own actions rather than retreating back.

If you hear someone else tooting their own horn, help them share in the joy. Support their victories and make sure your words aren’t tearing them down. Be a good friend/colleague and help them shine. You can do this by telling them how proud you are of them or sharing their news with others (especially administrators who might be interested in this).

Do you toot your own horn? How do you do this? Please share.

Image: 'Royal Marine Playing The Last Post in+Afghanistan'
http://www.flickr.com/photos/48399297@N04/8338771610
Found on flickrcc.net