A photo from our summer vacation - Leah, Evan, Brayden, and some old guy.
I hope you had, or are still having, a fantastic summer.
If you're back at work, stay out of the heat. If you live somewhere cool - HIRE ME FOR A WORKSHOP AND GET ME OUT OF PHOENIX! I might pay YOU to present! Seriously, it's insane here. The Washington Post just reported that Phoenix posted the hottest month ever observed in a U.S. city.
Back to the subject at hand...
This first e-zine of the new school year is always an exciting and daunting one to write. Exciting because I get to reconnect with friends and colleagues I have missed. But difficult because I know I have to deliver for you in a meaningful way each and every week.
But don't worry (as if you would) - I've been making notes and jotting ideas for future blogs (and I have some fun, interesting, and helpful content in the works). So yes, I am excited - and yes, I can feel the pressure as well.
I imagine you feel the same. Although you work is much more important and difficult than mine, and you work much harder, I suspect we share a similar excitement and angst.
When I taught, this time of year came with simultaneous love and loathing. I was excited to see the kids and start a new journey, but not looking forward to the alarm clock and the 22-minute lunch periods. The grind was about to get real, but I was also excited about new possibilities, adventures, and students.
Do you feel the same?
As we begin the year anew, I always like to remind my students (and myself) that this is a time of firsts:
First time as a 6th, 7th, 8th, or 9th grader.
First time at a new school.
First time in a marching band, orchestra, or mixed voice choir.
First time in a new building.
First outside-of-school rehearsal playing new music
And sooner than you think, it will be the first time in a uniform, on a stage, or under the Friday night lights.
The start of the new school year also brings "firsts" for teachers as well.
First day teaching a new class.
First day with new students.
First day with a new administrator.
First day at a new job or new school.
First day as a new teacher or retiree.
First day in a leadership role or new responsibility.
But perhaps more important than anything, it's the first time to change ,or make a difference in, someone's day, week, month, or life.
"Firsts" matter.
"Firsts" set a tone.
"Firsts" make an impact.
"Firsts" are remembered.
People don't typically remember "seconds," so it's important to invest in the "FIRSTS!" Sooner than you might like, they will become the "lasts."
To help with investing in the firsts, check out the activity below. I did many times with my students and they really loved it.
Have a great week FIRST week everyone.
Scott
An activity for the new year: A LETTER TO YOURSELF
As you begin anew – consider doing the following activity. It is simple, sweet, and will have an impact that is demonstrable for a long time. (To make it easier for you, I am attaching a sample PDF for you to use - the entire activity takes about 15 minutes and can even be completed outside of class.)
Have the students make a wish, write a thought, or even a note to themselves about their goals, hopes, and fears for this year. Remind them that they are writing to themselves, so if they only write a few sentences, they are only cheating themselves in the end (valuable lesson here).
Encourage them to write as much as possible - fill the page, front and back even. If they want more time, let them take it home and bring it the next day.
Have them place the notes in blank white envelopes with their name on them (they can decorate them if they like). Have a student leader ensure that you have a note from every student. If someone doesn't write a note - put an empty envelope in its place - they can open an empty envelope in the end (another valuable lesson here).
Post the envelopes somewhere the kids can see them daily (around the room or on bulletin boards) as a reminder of their hopes, promises, or goals .
Use the envelopes occasionally in class/rehearsal to remind the students of the promise, energy, and potential they felt on that day. During a lazy day or rough rehearsal - I would ask the students to look at the envelope and remember what they wrote - then I would tell them to get back to work.
Pick an important day, week, or event - pull the envelopes down one week in advance and tell your students they have one more week to achieve the goals/dreams contained inside.
Surprise them with their notes at a special time (last rehearsal, bus ride to a significant competition, or after a rough day) and watch the smiles appear.
The best part of the activity is the envelopes on display. They serve as a constant reminder to be the person they describe in that note. It's like a daily pep talk and gut check from themselves.
Might I suggest - you also write a letter. I did this activity with my student leaders in my second year of teaching. To build a bridge and establish trust, I gave my note to a student leader who did not particularly like me and told her she was in charge of when I would receive it back.
She gave me the letter back FIVE years later.
When she returned it, she handed me an additional note from her. She wrote about the impact I had made on that 17-year-old girl and how she now better understood what I was trying to do, and appreciated that I trusted her with my note.
She is now a music teacher.
Now, I wouldn't recommend such a protracted time frame, as I had long since forgotten about the letter - but it was amazing to read not only her note, but a note from a second year scared & inexperienced teacher.
I hope you will use this activity.
To make it easy, I am including a letter template for you to download, print, and copy for your students. - click on the button below to get it.
Feel free to alter the activity to fit whatever works for you and your students.