I saw this bulletin board on Facebook earlier today (ht to Volunteer Spot) and it really made me stop and think. I know that this is directed toward children to help them develop a more positive approach to their issues and problems, and that's great. However, two things came to mind. First, children who respond negatively to problems or challenges they encounter are often those who have lived with a constant barrage of negativity all of their lives. It's unrealistic to think that one teacher using one bulletin board can quickly effect a real change in such a student's attitude. That doesn't mean we shouldn't make the effort, of course. It just means we should be realistic about the potential outcomes.
The second thing that crossed my mind was how many of these statements have I have heard versions of coming out of the mouths of teachers. As teachers, we too must make a concentrated effort to avoid the sense of futility and helplessness that the statements on the white papers indicate. Often we don't understand and want to give up, but rephrasing the issues may help us put the problem in a different perspective. Yes, I blew that lesson plan, but what did I learn from it? We need to plan ahead and allow ourselves enough time to be the best we can be--and we can always be better! We are unique individual teachers each with our own strengths and when we "borrow" things from teachers we admire, we need to make it fit our talents and gifts--and even make it better. We may not be where we want to be, but we're moving forward if we keep the important goals in mind.
So...if you think you might want to use this bulletin board in your classroom, that's awesome. Just remember, a positive mindset is just as important for the teacher as for the students.
Have a Good Word Day!
The second thing that crossed my mind was how many of these statements have I have heard versions of coming out of the mouths of teachers. As teachers, we too must make a concentrated effort to avoid the sense of futility and helplessness that the statements on the white papers indicate. Often we don't understand and want to give up, but rephrasing the issues may help us put the problem in a different perspective. Yes, I blew that lesson plan, but what did I learn from it? We need to plan ahead and allow ourselves enough time to be the best we can be--and we can always be better! We are unique individual teachers each with our own strengths and when we "borrow" things from teachers we admire, we need to make it fit our talents and gifts--and even make it better. We may not be where we want to be, but we're moving forward if we keep the important goals in mind.
So...if you think you might want to use this bulletin board in your classroom, that's awesome. Just remember, a positive mindset is just as important for the teacher as for the students.
Have a Good Word Day!