Hopes and Dreams and "In Between"
It is hard to imagine that summer break is over and students will be in school tomorrow. As I sit in my classroom and look over the empty desks and cubbies, I can't help but think about the year ahead. Hopes and dreams are words that are used quite often at Mustard Seed and by the time the students are in 8th grade, these words usually garner a rolling of the eyes or an apathetic sigh. But these are more than words, for students these may be goals and objectives for the year but for me, as well as other teachers and of course the parents, these are ways to cast our vision upon them. Help them see what is possible, what they are capable of, what they can become. I am excited to start the year and to get to know these 8th graders even better. So what are my hopes and dreams for this class. My hope and dream for the class of 2015 is that they grow confident in themselves both socially and academically. That they learn the importance of community and what it means to be part of one. That they learn to take risks and challenge themselves so that they can grow.
The theme for this year is "In Between" and it is an intriguing concept. As I looked over my class curriculum this summer, I thought of many ways in which this theme would fit into my classes. For science, the "in between" is found in the process students go through as they explore ideas and concepts. Science is so much more than just finding an answer to a question but rather the importance lies in how that answer is reached, the importance lies in the "in between". In history, the "in between" is what is happening behind the scenes or the bigger picture in which an event is taking place. History is so much more than just learning about specific events and when they took place. It is essentially the story of humankind and our triumphs and failures and everything "in between".
In middle school, the theme "in between" has a more literal meaning. Students are developmentally "in between" childhood and adulthood. And I think its a good reminder for students that the "in between" time can be a time to reflect on the past as well as plan for the future. It does not need to be a time of restlessness and uncertainty.
And finally, Christ is "in between". He is "in between" us and God ("For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5) and he is "in between" us and each other ("Christ stands between us, and we can only get into touch with our neighbors through him." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship.) As a Christian school, this, in my opinion, is the most important lesson to be learned from this theme.
So what are your hopes and dreams? And what does "in between" mean to you?
The theme for this year is "In Between" and it is an intriguing concept. As I looked over my class curriculum this summer, I thought of many ways in which this theme would fit into my classes. For science, the "in between" is found in the process students go through as they explore ideas and concepts. Science is so much more than just finding an answer to a question but rather the importance lies in how that answer is reached, the importance lies in the "in between". In history, the "in between" is what is happening behind the scenes or the bigger picture in which an event is taking place. History is so much more than just learning about specific events and when they took place. It is essentially the story of humankind and our triumphs and failures and everything "in between".
In middle school, the theme "in between" has a more literal meaning. Students are developmentally "in between" childhood and adulthood. And I think its a good reminder for students that the "in between" time can be a time to reflect on the past as well as plan for the future. It does not need to be a time of restlessness and uncertainty.
And finally, Christ is "in between". He is "in between" us and God ("For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus." 1 Timothy 2:5) and he is "in between" us and each other ("Christ stands between us, and we can only get into touch with our neighbors through him." Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship.) As a Christian school, this, in my opinion, is the most important lesson to be learned from this theme.
So what are your hopes and dreams? And what does "in between" mean to you?