Just before school started, I read an article on the 2 Sister's website about how adults needed to come in to work, socialize a bit, connect with their fellow workers and then they could settle down and get to work.
They related that to their young students and how many teachers have been taking Harry Wong's advice and having "Bell Work" available for students to get started on right away in silence. There is some validity to having students engage in academics right away, I agree. The students are fresh and able focus quickly.
But I also know for myself, I am better able to focus on my work when I've had the chance to visit with my friends. So this year, I put aside my "Bell Work" and I now encourage the students to come into the classroom straightaway instead of sitting in the hall while I do last minute tasks. I must say that after 6 weeks, I see a difference in both my students' social development and the number of interruptions I get when we do get down to work.
When students come in, it is very unstructured. I am in there to supervise (and yes, I know, this lengthens my workday-- I am well aware that I am the source of most of my extra "work") but I am still getting those things done, that I need to. At the same time, I am also able to listen to "exciting" news from home, "Mrs. Klein, guess what?" "Ms. Klein, last night me and my..." etc. I am able to watch and listen to conversations around the room that clue me into things that I need to know about or how someone's day has started off on the wrong foot.
But mostly we just hang out and do our thing as we chat and learn more about each other. Learning is a social activity and it's a very good thing when we have such good friends to share it with.
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