Camouflage and Banned Books

On Thursday I had a conversation with Mrs. Whitson that made me realize how important it is to be explicit about the things that we teach kids. Not the things that you find in standards or pacing guides, but the things that (if we're being honest) really matter. I'm all for getting kids to learn curriculum, but the act of knowing it isn't what is really important. Hopefully, that curriculum unlocks an interest for students and they use that interest to go for a career. But if we are being honest, the vast majority of curriculum that we teach will never be used again in their professional career. What students really learn is how to work, manage tasks, communicate, think and evaluate. But if we do a good job, we teach them how to be good people along the way. 

There's a recent trend for parents to be pretty critical about the subject and language of the books that students read. Young adult novels often contain more adult language and themes of conflict and other topics that cause students to grapple with the dark parts of human nature. Some parents don't want their children exposed to that and as a result, school districts are updating policies on how to evaluate books that are appropriate. When Mrs. Whitson and I spoke about this, she hit me with a great question: Why is it wrong for students to understand a topic without it being something that they don't have to experience personally? Basically, what we are talking about is empathy. These books are having students empathize with a character or subject in a novel that is experiencing a difficult problem. And while we hope that the students don't encounter that problem personally, it's not a bad thing for them to consider the emotions and conflicts of a person that does. Understanding the novels means learning empathy. 

This week we joined a lot of other schools throughout our state to wear camouflage in memory and support of four students that passed away at East Carteret High School. I don't know of anyone on our staff that knew the students personally, so for us, the issue doesn't affect us directly. But what's the big deal about wearing camo? Does it really do anything for the victims families or friends? Unless we share pictures of us, they would likely never know. But the act teaches students, even if for just a few moments, to consider how someone else feels. To consider their loss. And to put someone else's feelings before their own. In a world that seems consumed with "me, me, me" I think we need a lot more of this. If you didn't take the time to explain the issue or reason why to students this week, there will certainly be other opportunities in the future. Look for chances to teach empathy. And while it may never be tested in your curriculum, I promise you'll produce better students every time.