Our Language Matters

I previously shared that I would like to reflect each week about a failure (because we learn and grow through them).  This week is no different!

My teammate and I co-teach a reading strategy lesson each year (one of my favorites!)  When I walked in one afternoon this week, there was some chaos in a typically very, very calm room. My teammate was going to prepare the class for some calming activities to get them back on track.  She said in a low voice, "when I turn off this one light we are going to say nothing."  She turned off one light.

A very literal student responded by saying, "Nothing!"  And then so did many other children.

We smiled at each other and said, "Yep, that is what I said to do."

It was a failed moment.  The language was just not quite right.  And it was little reminder to us that our language choices matter. 

Em