Rethinking Schools

 Title and Author: Who Cares About Classroom Norms? By Eric Fishman, Illustrator Olivia Wise

Response to text:

Eric Fishman discusses his experience as an educator where he taught in diverse settings. While he taught in diverse settings, a common theme of classroom norms would surface. The "norm" of the classroom seemed to be one of strict rules everyone must follow. For example, it's expected to sit still, do your work on time, don't interrupt, and others. Fishman further discusses the purpose classroom norms, which is to create boundaries for behaviors and people to follow that are "normal"- anything else is considered "abnormal". Fishman argues that students have various human needs that can impact their behavior as a student such as hypersensitivity or learning disabilities. Fishman goes in depth about numerous types of needs, but how can a need be met if a student does not know how to correctly identify it? I loved this article as a nurse because Fishman brings to light the connection of health and learning. As a school nurse, so much of the student experience connects with their physical and emotional health. 

Connection to other text:

A common need I uncover as a school nurse is access to a calm environment for anxiety. Dr. Chandril Chugh wrote an article linked here that lists the different physical ways anxiety can present in children:

    - racing heart and rapid breathing

    - headaches, stomach aches, and nausea

    - anger, aggression, and defiance

    - restlessness and fidgeting 

    - muscle tension/trembling

Several times I have identified anxiety as the cause for stomach aches. Because I am familiar with anxiety, it has become important to me to properly identify the cause of any physical symptoms that are connected to mental health. This allows me to offer more support from our guidance office and better assist the student. Many times, the students don't consider anxiety a cause for stomach aches because they did not know how anxiety presents itself. 

In my opinion, students benefit a lot more when their needs are understood with a comprehensive approach versus boxing everyone into "classroom norms".