It's been a humbling month in my classroom. The reverberations of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shook us all, and my students, especially my 7th graders, needed a place to process it together. They were full of questions and outrage and disbelief. They were also full of admiration for students, just a couple of years older than they are, rising up and making their voices heard.
We watched part of the CNN Town Hall together. I tried to offer context, tried to share the complexity of the issues, tried to show them the gray areas. If you know 12 year olds, especially angry 12 year olds, you know that gray is a tough shade to find, let alone inhabit! We talked about the 1st and 2nd Amendments, about mental illness and medical privacy, about lobbying, about the ever-shifting balance of rights vs. responsibilities. We talked about social movements and civic engagement. Lots of talk. Ultimately, they wanted to DO something.
So, we researched what kind of actions others were taking to support the MSD students, and my students identified ways they could commit to making a difference.
Then, when they read about the national walkout, the main question became, "Are WE going to do this?"
I told them I'd speak to our principal. I said I heard them and that we'd find a way to support them.
Our school's administration did not sanction a school-wide walkout. I admit, I was really disappointed. Our school has historically prided itself on being a progressive K-8 with a commitment to raising civically-minded and active students. To me, it seemed the obvious choice to plan for a full walkout. But I listened as our principal shared the superintendent's guidelines, and even though I didn't agree, I understood and respected the thought process. They wanted us to do our best to stay apolitical and to ensure the safety of students.
WAH WAH WAH
Over this past month, every time I've heard adults, including myself, try to explain/justify concepts like safety and fairness to our students in the wake of the MSD High School shooting, I've heard the adult sounds from the Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang cartoons.
WAH WAH WAH
Well, we worked with what we were given. Our teacher team listened to students about what other things we could do to carry forward the message and to support MSD students.
Ultimately, it had to be about the students.
Based on their feedback, we scheduled activities for our 7th and 8th graders to participate in at 10:00AM during Wednesday's walkout time. Students could choose to write letters to elected officials, create posters for the March for Our Lives on March 24, sign a banner to send to MSD, wear orange for gun violence prevention or MSD HS colors of maroon and silver, or opt out to process/act privately.
Some good compromise, right? Students would feel like they've been acknowledged and they would choose how/if they react to the current events.
But then, my 7th graders started to ask, "What would happen if we walked out?"
I heard the Charlie Brown teacher in my head. I did.
I explained that the NYC Chancellor wrote that students should not be stopped and schools couldn't suspend them, but the consequence would be a cutting infraction. It would go on their record that they cut class. They got quiet and still.
And then I shook off the Charlie Brown voice and tried to say more.
"You know, sometimes we can show what we believe in a way that stays within parameters, but sometimes what we believe requires us to take a stand and face a consequence, because we know in our hearts it's right for us." I watched them take it in. I said, "We've got a lot of great activities that you helped to plan, and all of them are good options, but you may feel that the best option for you is one that hasn't been approved. That's a decision you have to make for yourself, and be willing to accept the responsibility for that."
Our school's administration did not sanction a school-wide walkout. I admit, I was really disappointed. Our school has historically prided itself on being a progressive K-8 with a commitment to raising civically-minded and active students. To me, it seemed the obvious choice to plan for a full walkout. But I listened as our principal shared the superintendent's guidelines, and even though I didn't agree, I understood and respected the thought process. They wanted us to do our best to stay apolitical and to ensure the safety of students.
WAH WAH WAH
Over this past month, every time I've heard adults, including myself, try to explain/justify concepts like safety and fairness to our students in the wake of the MSD High School shooting, I've heard the adult sounds from the Charlie Brown and the Peanuts Gang cartoons.
WAH WAH WAH
Well, we worked with what we were given. Our teacher team listened to students about what other things we could do to carry forward the message and to support MSD students.
Ultimately, it had to be about the students.
Based on their feedback, we scheduled activities for our 7th and 8th graders to participate in at 10:00AM during Wednesday's walkout time. Students could choose to write letters to elected officials, create posters for the March for Our Lives on March 24, sign a banner to send to MSD, wear orange for gun violence prevention or MSD HS colors of maroon and silver, or opt out to process/act privately.
Some good compromise, right? Students would feel like they've been acknowledged and they would choose how/if they react to the current events.
But then, my 7th graders started to ask, "What would happen if we walked out?"
I heard the Charlie Brown teacher in my head. I did.
I explained that the NYC Chancellor wrote that students should not be stopped and schools couldn't suspend them, but the consequence would be a cutting infraction. It would go on their record that they cut class. They got quiet and still.
And then I shook off the Charlie Brown voice and tried to say more.
"You know, sometimes we can show what we believe in a way that stays within parameters, but sometimes what we believe requires us to take a stand and face a consequence, because we know in our hearts it's right for us." I watched them take it in. I said, "We've got a lot of great activities that you helped to plan, and all of them are good options, but you may feel that the best option for you is one that hasn't been approved. That's a decision you have to make for yourself, and be willing to accept the responsibility for that."
I said, "Whatever you do, I want you to know that I'm proud of you. Whatever action you take furthers a movement that young people started and young people will lead. You are part of those young people."
At 10:00, half of our 7th grade walked out. Some were signed out by parents who participated in the event, but many left on their own. The rest of the grade stayed and did meaningful activities. All of it was so valuable.
But those 7th graders who walked out alone, they made a conscious choice for themselves NOT to follow adults. They chose to LEAD in a different way. They chose to leave the building and to face the consequence.
My heart cheered for them.
I think for many, it was the first real act of defiance they'd ever committed for something bigger than themselves. What a pivotal moment.
But those 7th graders who walked out alone, they made a conscious choice for themselves NOT to follow adults. They chose to LEAD in a different way. They chose to leave the building and to face the consequence.
My heart cheered for them.
I think for many, it was the first real act of defiance they'd ever committed for something bigger than themselves. What a pivotal moment.
It's actually why I'm grateful that our school didn't endorse a walkout. I feel like the students - not adults - were truly in control of their choices. It was thrilling to me, but I think and hope even more thrilling for them.
The following period, I asked students, "How was last period's experience for you?" Overwhelmingly, their response was, "Powerful." They said they felt like they had a voice, that they were part of something bigger, that they thought they'd be alone, but there were so many others standing with them and they were surprised and excited.
I said, "I'm so incredibly proud of you. Young people are the only ones who have been able to move this country forward on this issue, and now you are part of it. Whatever you did last period, you are a part. Whether you continue with this movement or not, you now know that your voice can and does count. Make it count. Get involved in what you most care about. Get hungry. Get angry. Get busy."
Students teach me every day. It's the greatest thing about being a teacher. I'm constantly learning. And not what I think I'm going to learn. Not even close!
Today's lesson from the 7th grade:
Stay hungry, stay angry, stay busy on the things that matter most to me. Define my purpose and keep my eye on it. Don't let that Charlie Brown adult voice drown out or tamp down the need for a healthy amount of risk, of putting myself out there for what I believe.
What a powerful read. So proud of you and your students. You are teaching them to think for themselves and to take responsibility for their actions!
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