Waiting for the Wonder

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It's been a bumpier start to the school year than previous years. I'm not writing this to complain, but rather to state that the wait for this week's developments has been worth it. This has been a week of wonder for me.

My Language Support students are getting more acclimated. I'm hearing them talk about "our school" and claim ownership of the many opportunities they've had to represent us and our school community this quarter. What also warms my heart is the way they are seeking independence in their learning in our History classroom. They will begin to grow as learners even more now that this is becoming our norm. Small gains, such as one student finding the theme song to the current events news program we start our class with so that he can use it in his newscast project, mean so much.

The US History classes are beginning National History Day projects in earnest this week. I'm meeting my colleagues' students now that we are combining classes and that is paying off as they say hi to me in the hallways and approach me outside of class to ask questions and share information about their topics. I realize once again how vitally important this type of genius hour style of learning is for students. I love hearing what they're passionate about and enjoy helping them in their research. It's revitalizing and continually renews my love for history, and for teaching. I have had so many "goose bump" moments this week as students explain what they're interested in learning more about--the Great Depression, Title IX, the history of music from the British Invasion in the 1960s to Heavy Metal and Grunge--it's all intriguing to them and I'll do what I can to help them bring their ideas to reality. Ms. Amy Bradfield from the Michigan History Day organization/Michigan Historical Society and Mrs. Chatel, our Media Specialist, also gave our students insight and help. It takes a village and ours is strong.

The high point of the week occurred yesterday--our first snow. My Language Support students were so excited when they came into fifth hour. We had to take a few minutes to go outside and experience what was, for most of my students, their first chance to feel and see snow. I will never forget their faces and comments. (Our student news crew was outside filming and did on-the-spot interviews, too!) 

Sometimes wonder isn't so hard to find, after all. It's definitely worth the wait.

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