Every day should be like a new at bat

I love back to school- the new markers, backpacks, pencils and scissors.  The excitement of getting to know my new class.  My room is set up and organized (let's be honest, that won't last).  I thrive on the excitement of a new beginning each August.  I hope my students do too.

I want to be positive, but what do I do when I'm given a student that is so clearly marked as a behavior problem? Or as an underachiever?   I'm always torn with how to best use the information from former teachers about my new students.  I want to use this form of data to drive my instruction, but I don't want to 'pigeonhole' a student into a pattern that they could and should break out of.  As I watch my favorite team, the Astros, on TV tonight, I'm struck that I need to give every child a fresh at bat.  Every day!

Each at bat is defined by itself for baseball players. Whether a player hits a home run, strikes out, or anything in between, he still comes to the plate next time with 3 strikes before he is out.  Now, I assure you that the pitcher uses the information about the batter to guide his pitching.  He won't pitch it to that same outside corner if the guy went yard last time on a pitch there.  And if he struck the batter out on a slider, expect to see a few more next time that same player is at the plate.  But, no matter what, the batter has a new fresh chance, EVERY SINGLE TIME!

I want to focus on this for my students.  I want them to show up everyday with an opportunity to hit a home run in my class!  Even if they struck out every day last week!  Or last month!  Even if the teacher from last year made notes that they misbehaved badly every day last year.  I want to use that information to guide me.  Can I find a pattern in their behavior?  Can I limit exposure to triggers?  Can I find a change to reinforce good behaviors before they have a chance to revert to bad habits?  Can I send a note to their parents about something they have done well?  How can I build their self-esteem?  What can I do to encourage them?

Most of the information given from past year teacher to current teacher is given for good reason.  I want to make sure that I use it in a productive way.  Baseball is fun.  School should be too.  My students are going to hit a lot of home runs this year.  And yes, they will strike out quite a lot too.  But that's ok, because next time they come to the plate, they will have a clean start.

Hope your school is off to a great start!  And... of course, Go Astros!