Empathy, Manners, Respect, Language and Patience...oh my.

As a technology enthusiast, I of course wish that my students have the means and skills needed  to continue to integrate technology into their education and every day lives.

As technology continues to flourish, there is a part of me that remains a romantic with the thought that there are some traits that will be needed whether they are in front of a screen or not. How are we, as developers of curriculum and education helping these traits remain and grow with our students? Here are some traits that come to mind:

1. Empathy- This can be a trait that can be difficult to find in a middle school aged person at first; though it seems thin and absent it is there in different forms. Empathy might be shown in a fleeting moment because a peer had a bad day or might be more obvious when a student is not feeling right in their own skin. In this "me" stage of life empathy on a global basis might appear to be absent from their minds, which just means it needs to be worked at a bit more.
When developing curriculum I wonder if the powers that be thought about this. If they had, then my students would be required to learn about famine, global perspective and required to give hours in soup kitchens. Instead we are required to focus our time on getting through ancient civilizations and prepare for persuasive testing prompts. Though the latter are important, I have to ask if it will make them better people for the present and later years. How can the required development of this one single trait influence their manners, respect and language towards others?

2. Manners- In an age when parents and their children spend a lot of their time interacting with screens rather than faces, simple manners can be easily pushed to the background of importance. Manners can be as simple as making eye contact when saying 'please', 'thank you' and 'have a nice day'. The art of small talk when standing next to someone or simply slowing down enough to make small talk. Manners can be of course be applied to technology, but I am trying to display the simple polite gesture of staying on topic and not diverging to another self-centered discussion.

3. Respect- A word that has many diverse definitions around the world let alone from peer to peer and adult to adult. In the middle school age respect is challenged because the student wants to be more like the adult and the adult can (in a moment of pure reaction) easily forget what it is like to be that student. With clear guidelines between the adult and the student, respect for one another and stress around this word becomes absent. Respect is not won with arguments, wordy rules and harsh one-sided consequences. Respect is earned, no matter what the role is in the classroom or otherwise. When developing respect it is important to be the role model and, as preached to students, follow the "golden rule".


4.Language- The written and verbal language we use with colleagues and students shapes our day. Sometimes we bring the stains of this language home and we reflect and reshape the moment that lingers in our head. A common misunderstanding is that middle schoolers should already know how to communicate and use language properly. Behind their often misfired and confident words is an opportunity, as adults, to deliver a meaningful lesson in language.
One of the most lasting memories I took away from being at the Science Leadership Academy during #Educon this year was language. The common language of goals and expectations is a silent and powerful bind from classroom to classroom. These threaded strings of words help weave together the community throughout the ups and downs of the every day; it is a commonplace for each person to refer. Language is respected and its importance is understood through its visual and practice.

5.Patience- Patience is powerful and difficult with so many "on demand" features in our current world. When children and adults have patience they allow themselves time to think in the moment and digest the meaning and surroundings. Forgiveness and reflection can come out of patience for oneself and others. Patience can lead to more meaningful conversation when one is given the time to think about the language they will communicate because silence in-between verbal contributions is allowed. I fear the most for patience and its importance losing out because we need to teach more, faster and better. I fear for its importance with our students because reaction will win over reflection. What will be your role in preserving patience? How can this preservation be displayed on a daily basis through the respect of language and use of manners?



Credits:
Ms.Manners picture: http://bit.ly/y5QRPi