Kids are kids before they are students. This is something I
truly believe in and try to remember every single day. Part of that belief is
knowing the curriculum I teach is not the only important lessons my students
will learn from me during their time in my class. Last year I started a new
teaching situation as a team teacher. One of my Social Science classes became a
team teaching class with myself and a reading teacher in our building. The
reading teacher I was assigned, Lauren, was a phenomenal teacher and I knew it
was going to be a great learning experience for me and I was right. Apart from
all the “stuff” we taught the kids and each other, we started something that we
continue to this day. We teach Life Lessons.
Yes, I know many think that teachers do this every day and
you would be correct. However, as many that know me know, I am pretty overt
with certain things and many would consider me rather blunt. What we started
doing was Lauren and I would observe our kids and see what was going on in
their lives. We would then offer these life lessons to the class to make a
direct connection to what was going on with them in hopes of providing some
guidance and in many cases…some humor. Our list of life lessons continues to
grow but here are a sample of some of our so called Life Lessons. The artwork
was student created and inspired by some of our more popular lessons. 
- Life Lessons
- Wear deodorant
- Shower on a daily basis
- Don’t pick your nose
- Don’t negotiate with terrorists
- Don’t make fun of people for puking
- Wash your hands after going to the bathroom
- Saying “excuse me” does not excuse a fart
- Observe the ten foot rule when blowing noses
- Barn doors should be kept closed at all time
- No dating
- Boys should kill spiders for girls
- If you are going to eavesdrop you better do it well
- Many more…
These lessons might be goofy but we find them to be rather
effective in creating respectful and productive kids…not students. I am sure
there will be plenty more to share as the year continues. One thing for sure is
that junior high students always provide and endless supply of potential life
lessons. If you have a great life lesson to share leave us a comment…Thanks!
