Sh'ma

What do you hear if you really listen?  If you're quiet and actively listening to what's around you?  Our core Jewish prayer "Sh'ma" starts with that same word which means "Listen" or "Hear."   Today in our PreK-3rd grade T'filah we used the sounds of the Sh'ma -"shhhh, mmmmm, ahhhh," to calm us down and get us ready to listen.   

Recently in a meeting with a few teachers we discussed what we hear from our students when we really listen.   When we create a space that invites them to share ideas, perspectives, questions, and insights, what do we hear?  What do we notice?   What do we learn?  How does it inform our teaching practice?

As I walk through classes, I can see that listening is the center of good teaching.   Our teachers listen to hear the students’ ideas, to hear what they think and what they have learned.