Teenagers in primary school – challenges on engagement and connectedness.

I have just finished sending in my last assignment for this semester [Masters Course] and with some relief I am now able to get some of my life back and amongest other things write a bit more on my blog. My assignment was the first stage of my research project on instructional leadership which I am sure will feature in future posts.

Browsing Don’s blogI came across the funny BBC clip on teenagers. I have been reflecting on student disengagement with family and schooling and are starting to think that some 11 and 12 year olds are not waiting for the secondary school 13 y.o.  “its cool not to show the smarts” disengagement in school.

We have some data on this at school and its a complex challenge. It seems from the data that some students appear to have lost deeper connections with each other [part of this teenager trying to be cool I would suggest]. One of the connector skills is expressing emotions in ways that are clear and non threatening and this has become apparent through the use of restorative justicetechniques of ‘circle time’ which teachers use to focus on these issues. I participated in one of these circle times with a group of year 11/12 y.o’s and was heartened to hear some children unscripted apologise for some of their actions towards another person in the yard but discouraged to hear that one a little while later used a phone camera to take photos and put down another student – its a work in progress. 

I know there are lots of other factors besides school in play here: i.e. balance of video games vs creative neighbourhood play.

I also know its a challenge for teachers in this age of immediate gratification and instant google information to keep students engaged in learning skills and understandings within the context of real life problems that they can effect change here and now – but that’s the challenge.

The video, while funny, shows the parent’s perspective, who also need our support to deal with disengagement. I wonder how other people are feeling about this?