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Listening to Middle Schoolers:
The "Brown Bag Lunch"
[From the U.S. Department of Education teacher listserve]
I have been fortunate to have had enlightened administrators in each district
in which I have taught. Consequently, I've been given great latitude in
regards to initiating programs or possibilities that attempt to address
immediate and long-term needs facing my school and our district in general.
Not surprisingly, the needs for my district vary little from those of most
of yours.
Many years ago I invited a handful of middle school students to eat lunch
with me in my classroom. I wanted to "pick their brains" regarding
some issues that involved them, but that were being decided for them, without,
what seemed obvious to me, their ideas or input of any kind. Though I can't
remember the issue at the time, the response to that initial foray was so
positive that it became a monthly date in my classroom.
Almost immediately, students began bringing others along. We began to take
notes, structure the sessions a bit, increase the length of time (by approval
of the principal after he saw the results), and we named the sessions "Brown
Bag Seminars." We actually began advertising them, eventually moving
to a double room, then a gym space that was unoccupied during lunches. Several
other interested teachers joined us, and as the program grew, student teachers
in the building came as well. Sometimes our sessions had upwards of 90 students,
and while there was lively discussion, we never had a behavior problem (though
we many times had students who were considered the "troublemakers"
in the school).
We used a "carousel/sticky dot" technique to mix the kids up and
have them systematically move from location to location around the room
to record specific thoughts on the issue at hand. Student ideas on a variety
of subject from dress code to -- yup, violence in the schools -- were stunning
in their insights. Teachers and staff learned things they never had been
privy to before, and the kids were open and willing to share. Sessions were
encapsulated each month in a "Brown Bag" newsletter we sent out
to parents and the community.
Over time, the school board initiated a project derived from these sessions
whereby they invited two students from each middle school (4 in our district)
to meet with them for an hour every 4 months before an official school board
meeting. (This was replicated for the high schools too, on a different board
night.) These meetings were/are broadcast on cable TV so the community can
see young people in a more productive light. Community response to board
meetings and initiatives never fails to positively recognize this part of
the meetings.
When our students feel authentically valued; when they feel there will be
more done than lip service or an patronizing nod; when they feel an integral
part of a system that is supposedly formed for and dedicated to their own
interests -- they will rise to the occasion. And this recognition, as we
all know, is not reserved for the "teacher pleasers" or academically
capable. ALL students can participate in these activities, and much can
be learned from varied interests and attitudes. Indeed, some of our most
progressive decisions in the district have been made after consideration
of remarks made by students in our alternative schools, expulsion programs,
special education programs, and the like.
Lauren Hildebrand
Minnesota