Here at Marshall Middle School, we are all about connecting. We embrace students creating responsible and respectful connections with other students. We encourage our teachers to connect positively and respectfully with our students and of course, our administrators connect peacefully with both students and teachers. But how does one accomplish such a simple, yet difficult task in a school year that seems to speed right past you? The North Allegheny Tigers have answered that question: "Connection Time".
Connections is a space where a small group of students and one teacher come together and create community away from the stresses and anxieties of school. It allows students to decompress with a teacher they feel confident with, and allows them to harbor responsible relationships with peers they might not get to in their everyday classrooms. As Connections has furthered on in the year, we have wanted to expand the group just a little bit broader. We've wanted to show the students that just like our school subjects, these connections expand outside the school walls.
This idea of decorating shoes came to me because my students and I came to a standstill during our time in Connections. We have already connected and have done a boatload of activities together. We became bland with our time together; nothing spectacular was coming out of it. I came up with this idea because I saw two, great potentials within my own Connections group. I saw that my students loved shoes. The boys especially, were always checking in and looking at each others new shoes and of course, girls are always into the newest foot fashion. However, I was amazed at how passionate our students were with community service and thought how wonderful it would be to combine the two.
About my class
Here at Marshall Middle School, we are all about connecting. We embrace students creating responsible and respectful connections with other students. We encourage our teachers to connect positively and respectfully with our students and of course, our administrators connect peacefully with both students and teachers. But how does one accomplish such a simple, yet difficult task in a school year that seems to speed right past you? The North Allegheny Tigers have answered that question: "Connection Time".
Connections is a space where a small group of students and one teacher come together and create community away from the stresses and anxieties of school. It allows students to decompress with a teacher they feel confident with, and allows them to harbor responsible relationships with peers they might not get to in their everyday classrooms. As Connections has furthered on in the year, we have wanted to expand the group just a little bit broader. We've wanted to show the students that just like our school subjects, these connections expand outside the school walls.
This idea of decorating shoes came to me because my students and I came to a standstill during our time in Connections. We have already connected and have done a boatload of activities together. We became bland with our time together; nothing spectacular was coming out of it. I came up with this idea because I saw two, great potentials within my own Connections group. I saw that my students loved shoes. The boys especially, were always checking in and looking at each others new shoes and of course, girls are always into the newest foot fashion. However, I was amazed at how passionate our students were with community service and thought how wonderful it would be to combine the two.