As I started thinking about this, in education, "NEW" hasn't always been received with excitement. In my work with teachers and students I've encountered times when they are less excited about a new way to do something; new standards, a new test, a new colleague, or a new grade level. Why the contrast? Shouldn't "NEW" always create a sense of hope and excitement?
I spent a lot of time watching my two and half year old daughter over the winter break and I got really excited to see her do new things! The thing was she wasn't always excited about "NEW". She received several new toys, some new rain boots, a new bed, and even visited a new place. As I watched her play with her new toys, she really got excited and she would yell, "Look Mommy, look!" She thought of new ways to put together Mrs. Potato Head. She found new ways to put puzzles together. She even found ways to put her new baby doll in her clothes. Then there were the new rain boots! All of these new things made her happy, and she was excited to engage in them.
The new bed and visiting a new place were a very different kind of "NEW". I kept wondering, "Why is she not as excited? Why is she holding on to me tighter?" (Don't worry, I've already read and consulted parent experts!) It comes down to this, she had control over her toys and she was in a familiar and comfortable place. She didn't ask for a new bed, her Daddy and I made that choice. She didn't know why we were driving in the car for hours, even though she was with us, she had no idea where we were going. What does this have to do with teaching and learning?
Here's some definitions for "NEW":
1. of a kind now existing or appearing for the first time; novel
2. unfamiliar or strange
(Dictionary.com)
So here's where I make the connection and encourage you to try something "NEW" in education! If new is something now existing or novel, then it's not as scary, it has some familiarity to it. So in your classroom, think about what you are already doing, and just make it slightly new for your students and yourself. For example, if your math lessons consist of mostly paper/pencil, try a math lesson where students don't have to write, they just talk about what they're doing. Or if you always have your students solve problems independently, try partners.
If "NEW" is something unfamiliar or strange, it's uncomfortable at first, it's not familiar to us. This is a little harder to cope with, especially when we are not in control of it. Don't be afraid to try something new because it feels different, or even uncomfortable. This is when we have to remember what we do have control over (attitude), and make the best of it. If the standards are new, if the test is new, don't let that newness put you in fear. Your intention to help your students succeed is what will help you and them, get there. You have control over your intention in the classroom. You have control over how you teach. Those two things are bigger than any new standard or new test!
Even though it's not a new school year, it is a new calendar year, and a new quarter (or semester), so set your intentions, keep your attitude positive, and try something new!
Until a new post-
Keep it real and keep it simple!