The very first project I pick up for my students when they
begin the year with me, is one that I primarily hold close to my heart. Reasons
are simple. I want to teach every child the ability to “Look beyond the Obvious.”
The “Beyond the Obvious” project is a good starters activity
because it helps you identify first hand, children who hold the ability to read
and interpret the details attached to the pictures well in contrast to the ones
who merely describe the pictures based on the shapes, sizes and colours. It is
imperative to discern who these vulnerable minds are to mould them well with
the elasticity to stretch beyond the visible.
We as educationists, face the greatest challenge of our times.
To help our students make meaning out of shallow structures, plastic speeches,
synthetic relationships and most of all, pretentious self-existence. In this
world of technology, where every bit of our existence is powered by an
alternative to self, how do we teach our children to feel pride in who they are
and believe that what they have to offer to the world is enough and respected?
For me, as a teacher who believes in infinite possibilities, I
spend the whole year with my students reinforcing the idea of reading between
the lines. I am not run by the ideal IQ or the mandatory curriculum. I am
navigated by the desire to complete what is incomplete and explore the plausible
fertility of a barren mind.
The human connection that is gradually being decimated in
educational institutions, needs to be revived with a conscious decision to
build strong whole individuals with sound emotional intelligence. We need to
hold discussions, talk to each other, listen to diverse perspectives, accept
conflict as a necessary step to coexist, and provide platforms to our children
to help them realize their self-worth and unique contribution to the world.
While subbing for a Grade 4 class, I created an imaginary
classmate for them who came to school untidy, felt angry most of the time and never
had his books ready for the lesson. I asked the students, “Who would like to
sit next to him?” None of the students raised their hands. When I asked them
why they responded, “He is so dirty.” “He is careless and always angry.” And so
on. After I had gathered all their comments on the board, I asked them. “Did
you ever wonder why he was like that?” And they all went silent. Nobody knew
why. So they asked me filled with curiosity to learn. “Because he had a broken
family. He had a sick mom who couldn’t iron his clothes for him and because he
had no help, he was all alone.”
This distressing news didn’t go down too well with them and
some of them had tears rolling down their eyes. “This is so sad.” “Oh so that’s
why he was so angry because he had no one to help him.” All of them raised
their hands, ready to sit next to him with their individual plans to help make
his life a little more comfortable.
Realization isn’t a
mountain to achieve with children. It is only a question away. The question
being Why? Tomorrow when they will see something ugly, incomplete or unlike,
they will learn to question why and investigate before isolating and labelling.
The skill to look behind the picture makes you more objective
and compassionate. It’s a higher order thinking skill and much needed in this
contrived world that we live in. We want to build tolerance in our children but
hold no patience to spend time on it. Tolerance and patience go hand in hand.
My work as a teacher is never done. There is always something
left to do. Some task that needs to meet a deadline. Some plan that requires
modification. Some assignments that will take away my weekend and so on.
But I tell you it’s all worth it. I know that this small piece
will fall into place in the big picture. I am aware that what I have to offer
to the world is enough and respected. I know that tomorrow is much brighter
than today because I hold the ability to “Look beyond the Obvious!”
