Every August I have the pleasure (challenge) of having every student come to the Media Center!  This year I worked  with

1052 students.  In the past, it has been my one shot of making sure each child knew the policies and procedures of the media center.  I tried to make it fun, I tried to make it engaging.  I used Puppet Pals, the SMART Board, Movement, and even song, but, alas- it was still rules and policies which equated to meaningless information for must of my students.  

After reading Teach Like a Pirate, by Dave Burgess, I knew I had to start the year off differently.  I knew I had to replace rules and policies with lessons kids would pay to take!  This was a huge goal and knew I couldn’t do it on my own, so I scoured twitter for advice and encouragement!  Jenna Shaw, proposed trying something MTV produced called If You Really Knew Me.  Then, someone else (sorry, I forgot who, please help and I will insert proper credit), suggested having a graffiti board.  Finally, I was inspired by Angela Maiers encouragement that “YouMatter”.

Every student made their mark in the media center.  6th graders signed the window and we discussed why it is important for them to feel like they belong.  7th graders were reminded of Preston’s question “What are you doing to make the world better?” and fused it with STEM disciplines.  All 8th graders tagged our graffiti board with their favorite book or quote from a book and wrote a If You Really Knew Me Poem that they shared with me via Google Docs.

I know for certain, I had more fun doing orientation than I have in my previous 8 years as a media specialist.  It took quite a bit of time to set up, plan, implement and connect with my students.  I learned new things about my students: one speaks Estonian, one had a parent pass away, one wants to move to Africa, one is proud of his culture and heritage, one hates school (especially the library =( ) and one loves to read.  I commented on every 8th grade poem and have received five comments back!

In the back of my mind, I wonder, what will kids do when I haven’t told them the rules. Like normal, the students answer my questions.  When they want to know a rule or policy (how many books can I check out? how long can I keep the books? what do I need to do to get a kindle?) they ask.  The amazing thing is they are actually remembering the answers!  And they care!  They remember and care because the information came to them when they wanted it and needed it!

And, if all of the above wasn’t confirmation enough, an email entitled “Relationships Are The Core” was just sent to me from Love and Logic.  They reminded me that:

Rules provided without relationship result in rebellion.

 

Consequences given without relationship lead to resentment.

 

Rewards without relationship feel like bribes.

Time will tell how effective  the radically different orientation has been.  Like most things, stepping out of one’s comfort zone can be the hardest AND most rewarding step to take!