“Yes! It’s Values next!”
I hear these words often in my classroom. I hear it from different children each time, some are louder and more excited than others, but they enjoy their Values lessons and that makes me smile.
I reflect on their excitement as they pack away, from one lesson, and prepare for our Values lesson to begin and wonder what it is that excites them: Is it the fact that their minds have a break from academics? Is it because they like the discussions that the lessons always produce? Is it that they see a glimpse into the person they want to be or reflect on the people around them?
I am not sure.
All I do know is that our children are having discussions about important characteristics that will help them in their life today and beyond. I personally enjoy the opportunity to discuss ‘us’ with each other. I appreciate having the time and resource to inform them that learning the values now matters because we don’t just become them when we grow up. We, as adults, are still learning and developing who we are, reflecting on our own values and strengthening the positive qualities that we strive to be.
The children recognize the importance of these lessons and the importance in practicing and developing these characteristics. Like the children, I am very excited to see the growing success of the Values curriculum and all that it provides for us at BISC Lincoln Park.