I don't teach 'lessons' as such-apart from things like my phonics sessions. I plan based on the children's current interests, and am very flexible in my approach. Learning only happens if children-or people for that matter-feel relaxed so their brain can work to absorb things. So, promoting children's well-being and self-esteem comes top of my list. That is done through building genuine relationships with them, which is done by being a human being! So-my best lesson is in being human! Trying to be a decent person, but one who can admit to mistakes or wrong doing and use those experiences to learn. So, my next lesson is about learning to be wrong. This is where my brain starts to hurt at the many different interpretations of 'lesson'. Surely lessons are about learning to be right?! My third important lesson is linked to the first two, and is about respecting and valuing the children as equals-yes I know that I have more experience etc but in importance we are equal. I can't speak for other teachers but I hope they feel the same. So that one is about lack of ego. So, be human, be wrong happily and be humble! Enough of the philosophizing as I am tired! Visit Alexandra for more interpretations of 'lesson'
These images are all from here-a great site full of lovely vintage pictures. The first is to represent being human, the second looks like someone who could easily be wrong happily and some of the characters in number three look very humble.
