This has been both a fun and informative series to write. I didn’t set out with an agenda beyond exploring how it is we teach social norms and giving a bit of a glimpse behind the curtain that is my teaching style. Throughout, I’ve been fascinated by the conversations that have emerged and offer some scattered thoughts in conclusion:
1.) Norms are important… there is no denying this. We may disagree on which norms ought to be taught and in what areas, but shared norms are what allow us to work together in a society. Even norms that are largely subjective or arbitrary, those which grew out of century-old needs and now carry on merely as tradition, have a purpose and place. But we must not lose site of what it is that these norms mean when we are teaching them.
2.) Perhaps more so than in any other curricular area, the teaching of social norms must be a blend between preparing children for the world as it is and situating them to create and live in the world as you would like to see it. One must simultaneously prepare children for success while also empowering them to make the world a better place.
3.) Norms are taught. Whether it is through explicit instruction or implicit modeling, norms must be taught if we expect children to demonstrate and follow them. And because the rationalization for many norms are beyond understanding for many young children, we must be patient and accepting of their errors.
4.) People are not always going to see eye-to-eye on what norms should be taught. This is both a blessing and a curse. If nothing else, help children to learn that different people will see things differently and they must be prepared to accept this.
I want to thank everyone for participating in the conversations and for the feedback. I wish I had a more succinct or profound closing but… I don’t. I started one day sharing some experiences in my classroom, wrote down some more, and I’ve gone about as far as I can with this particular subject at this particular time. So… that will be that… for now.
Of course, I won’t be done pontificating on the art and science of teaching. Oh, lord no. Many of you had other, related questions you were curious to see me write about relating to education, most of which I’ve forgotten. HOWEVER, if YOU remember them, put them in the comments and I’ll tackle what I can.
This was a really great series, one of the best single-author series we’ve ever had at the League. Maybe even the very best, since it is such an unusual topic for this place and because of that we went places we don’t normally go here.
I kind of blissfully assumed it would just keep going on; I’m more than a little sorry to see it end.Report
Ditto this and this don’t belong on no sidebar.
We should give you your own tag, really, so that you can tag all of these posts accordingly. It was like a one-man symposium.Report
Thanks, guys. I might have future installments but as is my tendency, I didn’t start out with a larger idea but rather just started writing one day. And kept writing. And then ran out of things to write about. So I stopped. I didn’t want to just leave it hanging so I put this up but reserve the right to revisit.
I really do appreciate the feedback. Coming from you two guys, it means the world. I just wish I could be more focused as a writer… a thesis, supporting arguments, a bigger plan… I mostly just rant… it’s been several years since I had to write anything with a purpose besides just getting my thoughts out.
With the baby coming, my writing may slow, unfortunately. But I’m sure more TSN topics will come up and I can revisit it. If we create a tag (does that involve a router?), I can slap it on anything relevant. But, again, thanks. Really and truly.Report
I support what Tod and Pat said. Worthy stuff, and very different from what others are producing here. I understand you running out of things to say about it, at least for now, but do keep in mind that you’ve got a happy audience if further thoughts on it come to you.Report
I’ll still write on education stuff, but wanted to expand beyond social norms. Also, I have a tendency to not always follow through on things and I wanted to put a nice little bow on this series. Fortunately, it is one I can untie and add more to when ready, but for now, I want to tackle some other ed related topics. But thanks!Report
Norms!Report
I enjoyed the series, Kazzy. Thank you for it.Report
I think you might find this interesting per previous thread discussions
http://juliepagano.tumblr.com/post/46206589124/my-experiences-in-tech-death-by-1000-paper-cutsReport