I am a co-moderator with the #TeachWrite chat on Twitter. (Note the graphic on the side bar.) One of my colleagues in this endeavor is Michelle Haseltine. Michelle put a photo on Facebook of a journal page from one of her students. The page was filled with the outline of a jar and words and sketches were drawn inside the jar.
I took this idea and presented it to my students with a Brene’ Brown twist from Braving the Wilderness.
We all have times when we feel lonely. Have you ever felt alone in a crowd? Like you just don’t fit in? There’s no one around who sees you or that you connect with.
We all have these times. But when we do, we can take with us a jar of things that make us feel joy, make us feel safe. What would be in your jar?
One student jumped up from her seat to draw a jar on the board. She labelled it “Our Happy Place Jar.” Her instructions were for everyone to draw one thing from their jar onto our shared jar. (I love it when kids respond to the lesson with such leadership and participation.)
My students drew a variety of jars. Some were filled with specific things from our class, Slice of Life, read aloud, computer (blogging), friends. Others find joy in nature or family or funny memes. Whatever their choices, they engaged with the idea and filled their jars.
Near the end of the week, Chloe announced, “Even if I have to throw away this journal, I will tear out this page and save it forever!” That’s what I call Joy!
Mrs. Simon’s Sea
We are fish,
fish swimming through a treacherous sea,a book,
open and full,a nest,
a place of warmth,a pencil and paper
for expression,and a poem.
by Lynzee, 3rd grade
What a wonderful exchange— you overflow my jar. Xoxo
I saw the pics and heard the voxes but didn’t have time to reply. But this is such a wonderful spin-off from Michelle’s idea. Although I have never been in your classroom, I have a feeling Lynzee’s poem sums it up perfectly!
What joy in your post, from you and your students, both! It is a wonderful idea! If I currently had a group of students I certainly would try it. Thanks for sharing!
There are so many special parts about this post. Love sharing your own thinking and the strength your writers had to try it on their own. My favorite part of teaching when one learner grabs and runs with a new idea.
Laura Shovan shared that she was doing this, too, Margaret, such a marvelous and positive idea. I love hearing about your student taking the lead for the idea and the class.
Love this. Maybe the Thirdlanders will be learning about the jars tomorrow. Thank you.
What a great idea –I think we all need a jar of joy! Thank you for sharing.
Clare
Margaret, this slice is filled with joy. I am going to share this activity with teachers that attend my workshop and direct them to your site. Thanks for sharing.
More teachers need to see this idea, Margaret – and see the enthusiasm it brings out of your students. I love their independence in finding what brings them joy. They are clearly intrinsically driven kiddos!