Fireman Arrived with-out Water....
Each day of the school year, there is ALWAYS that one kid (maybe two) who did not come prepared with their homework. The offense is always the same with a different excuse- a skin of truth stuffed with a lie.
What ever reason- or excuse one may offer- my reply is still the same..."What would happen if a firefighter arrived at the scene with out his or her water-hose?"
At this point, the baffled child will give me a strange look and stutter a few syllables. Proposing an offer of the same reason back of why I showed up at the fire unprepared?, Then, I ask," Could I come back tomorrow to put out their fire? Reason sets in for most by this point.
The "task- avoider" will respond in a loud voice," You would get fired if you did that!!!!!".. or "I would loose everything because it would be too late!!!!"... Exactly- my point stated! So please take a seat...
As the leader and role model of your domain, the responsibility and sense of urgency will come from your expectations of the students. The standard is set that you will hold them accountable for their personal best at all times.
With this stated, you must be prepared with the same sense of urgency and dedication to the children. Fire Fighters must work when ever duty calls. They must train (not only physically) after their scheduled hours at the fire station, but after the fire is out. They take courses in CPR and First Aid Etc. I urge you not to be the teacher that shows up at the first bell and leaves at the last... or Even worse yet, "One who proclaims their summers are their personal time".
Like the firefighter you have a duty to the community to train after school hours. Consider the hours at school as the hours of being at the scene of a the fire. One may not have an exact time of "how long" they will be spraying water over some one's home. Upon the fire being put out there is still work to be done: a report must be made, the family will need assistance, investigations will occur, reports will continue or you may have to go back to the scene more than once to review.
A teacher who shows up to school with out planning their lessons explicitly or management of materials/ procedures/ expectations would be the fireman showing up at the fire with out water... Why would anyone behave in such a manner? This scenario would not occur. A fireman comes with water and a teacher has a plan...
In reality, I do believe teachers" think" they have a plan and believe their own excuses (skin of truth stuffed with a lie). Let me clarify or define- plan.
Planning is taking the time (at least 24 hours in advance) to write down their teaching point as well as define it in kid friendly terms. Planning includes thinking out the steps of instruction (how the lesson will be delivered), materials needed, jotting down your higher order questions (or a complete written model for author's craft), instructing based on student need. Also, having the lesson written down while demonstrating why children are expected to learn the task before them. Designing how you are going to asses if they understand the concept. Your plan has purpose like the hidden slide in power point- ready for each direction your lesson could lead to support your teaching point.
If you believe, a plan is a snazzy book with blocks of time written on paper with page numbers, worksheets, and correlated standards you would be mistaken. The snazzy book is what your principal would call "sub plans"... Busy work for when the real educator comes back.
True planning happens when you meet with your resource or content area "goo-roo", team members, and fellow stakeholders to discuss instruction, and look at assessments to guide the next teaching points, and put action research in place.
Planning to a teacher could be considered in the firefighter world: when the fire-fighter opens his investigation. This person would sit down type up a report, meet with witnesses, discuss possible causes with the Captain-expert "goo-roo" of fires. Take his lead or advice and put it into action.. The captain will be the one to meet with the Chief (Principle) to determine or approve the findings. The fire research is the PLC and training. One would not have a job if he only showed up upon a 911 call or his "scheduled hours". Furthermore, if one did not physically train after the scheduled hours.
Is it possible to be an effective community role model or leader with so much responsibility with a Monday-Friday 7-3 schedule and two months off when lives are at stake? You got to be willing to be inconvenienced when duty calls.
Consider this point... Would this be the person you would entrust want to in time of crisis at your home? One whom is not prepared with basic supplies such as water, or walk away at 3 pm because his shift is over? Yet, (even more scary) a fireman who had not physically trained and/or went to their CPR classes? After all the course was only offered in the summer?
Of Course not, You would never trust this personality type to be in position to save your life! Ask yourself, "What kind of community leader are you?" Do you leave kids burning in the fire because you forgot the water? You expect your children to be prepared for you. I urge you to do the same for them. Make your class fireproof by collaborating with all stakeholders to design powerful lesson and be inconvenienced with training or support meetings. Bring the water to the fire when called to duty! Teach as if your heart is on fire burning for a desire to be a part of a team when lives are at stake.
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