Project Based Learning

Rigor comes from rigor mortis and dead

If you missed a couple of episodes, the best way to binge-read Scrambling for Voice, Choice, and Agency is to use the Table of Contents links to previous posts.

Episode #21

Kerry
Wanda’s last day
To: Chance sent - Gmail 11:15 PM

Hi Chance—

Today was Wanda’s last day. We sent her off with a big celebration and a party. I wonder if other professions are so nice and generous to people who are leaving who have done nothing but cause trouble.

Maybe everyone came to the party just to make sure she was actually leaving.

Second semester starts soon. The time has finally come for me to teach and lead. I am worried and nervous and super excited all at the same time.

When you get up tomorrow and read this email….please send some good vibrations my way.

How will all of the other principals treat me when I show up at the district administration meetings? Will they treat me like an imposter?

Kerry

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Chance
re: Wanda’s last day
To: Kerry sent - Gmail at 8:57 PM

Hi Kerry—

Sending strong and bold wishes your way today.

Don’t forget that when the superintendent went to your staff meeting and announced that you were going to be the principal, everyone stood up and cheered.

I am scheduled to go to a meeting today with Ernie’s mom and the angry parents. My principal will be there. I haven’t actually decided if I will go to the meeting, or if I’ll stick pencils in my eyes….

Chance

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Kerry
Re:Wanda’s last day
To: Chance sent - Gmail 7:29 AM

Hi Chance—

Oh, I know that meeting about sticking pencils in your eyes….I think every teacher in America knows that meeting….

Take care of yourself!

Kerry

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Chance
the parent meeting
To: Kerry sent - Gmail at 8:57 PM

Hi Kerry—

I sharpened my pencils, but I did not need them. Rosemary, my principal, was fabulous. I hope you get to meet her one of these days.

Ernie’s mom, Sarah’s mom, and Harold’s dad were at the meeting. They were all upset that my class is not rigorous enough.

They all agreed that their kids loved my class.

They kept saying rigor is good and school should not be so much fun. They are afraid that their kids are not getting ready for middle school…which will get them ready for high school….which will get them ready for college…which will get them ready for a successful career.

Rosemary is such a good listener. She let all of them talk as much as they wanted. They talked about their kids and their hopes and their dreams and their fears. The more they talked, the more that they relaxed.

In the end, Ernie’s mom and Sarah’s mom came to understand the value of project-based learning. They saw how their children are learning how to learn. They heard about the academic success of kids who learn in hands-on educational environments.

I think that for the first time they understood that rigor in school often translates to demanding, difficult, and extreme learning conditions…things that do not lead to kids working harder and being successful. It often leads to kids hating school and resorting to cheating and mental health issues. Sometimes it can lead to experimenting with alcohol and drugs.

Harold’s dad was not convinced. He said he went to a rigorous school, and that while he did not love school, it made him stronger. When he left the meeting, he said he was going to talk to Stan and the superintendent.

I have more to say about the meeting, but I wanted to give you the highlights. For now, I have to finish my lesson plans for tomorrow….

More later…

Chance