Trash or Treasure

"Trash or Treasure"...Those are three words I end many days with in my classroom.  It signifies a time of reflection...When we share the times of the good and the bad in our day and what will make tomorrow better.
   Most days I want them walking out the door focusing on our "treasures."  These are the moments in our day they enjoyed, found academic success, or were positive interactions with our classmates and friends.  These are comments in which I hope they remember when someone asks "How was school today?"  or "Did you learn anything?"
   I am sometimes amazed at what they find as "treasured."  It may not be the fun game in math.  Or the interactive lesson I was hoping to wow them with.  Sometimes it is found in the minutes I twirled the rope on the playground at recess or giggles from a silly story I told in Social Studies or just sitting next to me in lunch.  
   The "trash" sharing gets interesting.  We had to lay ground rules at the beginning of the year.
1)We can't say other student names.
2)We have to focus on us.
3)OR We can share about Mrs. Price.  
   That last one is tough, but I like it.  It is like having a teacher evaluation every day.  They are so honest.  I've learned a lot from my students.  I've learned things like fairness and consistency are equivalent and they'd prefer more consequences as long as it is fair.   I've learned that they pick up on tension, tiredness, and lack of preparation. They also don't appreciate boring lessons. They would rather do more if they can learn more. They even pick up a tone in my voice that expresses my attitude.
    I always end our Trash or Treasure Time with, "But what should we do with our trash?"
   They respond, "Throw it away or recycle it into something useful!"
    Yep, even after 20 years of teaching, I have lessons to learn...lessons that 8 year olds can teach me.
And luckily, many of the moments they consider "trash" can be recycled and created into something much better tomorrow.