This was the third time I read The First Days of School by Harry Wong and each time, I have had a different perspective and more classroom experience. I believe Wong guides the reader through several concepts that are important to successful teaching, but also believe that he falls short in key areas. In a way, his text binds the reader to his philosophy of structure and instills a mindset of anxiety and fear. Yes, he successfully conveys the necessity of preparedness and positive attitude, but he also led me to feel that if I did not follow every step of the three hundred plus page book, my first day and entire school year would be an exhausting failure. I felt overwhelmed by the idea of not saying the right thing or forgetting a procedure.
I am extremely grateful for my “first day of school” experience this year because it taught me that I can blend the message Harry Wong sends with a more realistic lack of structure. Through the design thinking process, my fifth graders taught me to be creative and (most importantly) a little less controlling. I had the opportunity to hand the choice over to the students and I was amazed at how well they flourished. At no point throughout the first week did I have to discipline (I prefer to think of what we did as redirecting) nor did I have to hammer down procedures. We had the ability to spend the first week getting to know each other and building a classroom. This, in my opinion, is how it should be during the first day and week of school.
I would like to try the design thinking process again next year when it is my name on the classroom door; however, I have some concerns. This year’s success was very much a result of the school culture, but I wonder, what my next school’s culture will be like? How can I create the necessary dynamic of teacher-student without stifling the environment and creative process? I want my students to lead the learning and I know that starts on day one. I hope to learn more from the teachers I collaborate with this year about how to create a positive and controlled learning environment through my actions and demeanor, not my words. I think that if I feel confident in this matter, I can allow the power to transition from me to the students on day one.
I would like to try the design thinking process again next year when it is my name on the classroom door; however, I have some concerns. This year’s success was very much a result of the school culture, but I wonder, what my next school’s culture will be like? How can I create the necessary dynamic of teacher-student without stifling the environment and creative process? I want my students to lead the learning and I know that starts on day one. I hope to learn more from the teachers I collaborate with this year about how to create a positive and controlled learning environment through my actions and demeanor, not my words. I think that if I feel confident in this matter, I can allow the power to transition from me to the students on day one.