Ritual in the Classroom - "Roses and Spines"

Xiomara says I've "tamed the beast."

That makes me laugh.

It is incredible, though, how different my English class at the high school is this year than it was last year.  Last year, every day was a battle - a constant war to win trust, to get the kids wanting to learn English, to have them listen, to encourage them to participate on task...

The good days were few and far between.  I would leave after my class, thankful that it wasn't an all day gig.

This year, I have the same kids; we all moved up a level together.  This year,  I didn't have to start over.  We had a whole year of relationships built and I was still around.  I wasn't another transient teacher, only there for a few months until the class scared him or her off.

The biggest change, I think, is the use of ritual in the classroom.  I can not emphasize enough how important rituals seem to be in creating a respectful and productive learning environment; through the structure of ritual, freedom emerges.

It all started with "Roses and Spines."  Roses and Spines is an activity I borrowed from my friend at Seattle Children's Theatre and now use in all of my classes (including improv).  It allows us to start the day on the same page... to check in.  I get to hear how everyone's energy is and if we maybe need to do a "wake up" game or if someone's having a hard time because of something that happened the previous night.  They were, of course, resistant at first.

"Teacher.... Again?!  No....." they whined when they saw the agenda on the board.

Many of them also didn't want to share.  I decided this was ok and that maybe they would get more comfortable if I gave it space so I gave the option of saying "I don't have anything."

They did warm up and it only took a little over a week.  Suddenly, when I asked who wanted to start they would shout out, "Meeee, teacher! I want."

They started to have something to say right when they walked through the doorway.

It became normal.  It became comfortable.  It became a story telling sparker and a venue for advice giving.  It became the perfect tool for spontaneous daily English speaking.

I've even seen some poor attitudes improve after sharing.

Some kids still say they don't have anything, but maybe they don't.  I mean, maybe we don't have something to share everyday, right?  No pressure.  That way, when there is something... it's all the more valued.

One day we didn't do Roses and Spines because I wanted to get something accomplished in a short time. They were insane!!!!!  The energy was out of control and nobody would listen to each other. This just reinforces the idea that the ritual calms them and gets them ready for the day - much like one starts a yoga practice with focusing on an intention and the breath.