Although preparing the classroom and getting lesson plans ready are key tasks for teachers at the start of the school year, another issue that teachers consider is how to build teamwork among students.
Pat Hynes, a teacher at Louise Archer Elementary in Vienna, wondered how she could create a classroom that promoted respect and friendship among her students. At her book group last Thursday, Hynes sought the advice of colleagues as they tackled the issues addressed in "Queen Bees & Wannabes," a book about self-image among adolescent girls.
The book group, an informal gathering of teachers and counselors from Louise Archer, has been meeting occasionally throughout the summer to talk about the issues raised in "Queen Bees & Wannabes," a book for parents and adults about teenage girls. They hope the conversations they've had will help them not only as educators but also as parents themselves.
THE GROUP is one of several book groups of Louise Archer staff that are meeting during the summer to discuss material that can help them in the classroom.
"The issues she raises — it's good to talk with each other," said Donna Sinclair, a counselor who hosted the group's Thursday session at her home in McLean.
Rosalind Wiseman's book "Queen Bees & Wannabes" examines how adolescent girls' perceptions of themselves can influence their friendships. The book tackles cliques, popularity and the ways girls often base their self-esteem on attractiveness and their success with the opposite sex.
While the students at Louise Archer, who range from 6-12, haven't yet reached the magnitude of adolescent angst, the teachers wanted to discuss how they could strengthen the self-esteem of students before they enter junior high and high school.
Despite the age of students at Louise Archer, the teachers observed that they could see issues of respect and self-image percolating in their classrooms. Among girls, they noticed the impact gossip can have among older students.
What alarmed them was the occasional use of words like "slut" or "bitch," words that Wiseman considered as demeaning to women, in addition to their crassness.
Teacher Dawn Leighty wasn't certain that the students knew the weight of those words, especially if they were used to describe someone. Because of the prevalence of those words and attitudes in popular music, television and film, she wondered whether the students were desensitized or were they trying to be cool.
"They see all this. They know how guys and girls react with each other," Leighty said.
If a student uses those words, how should a teacher respond? Hynes faced that situation when someone brought up an embarrassing moment in class this past school year.
"They shocked me for being nonchalant. My first thought was, maybe [the frankness] is healthy, but I don't know if it's a sign of anything," Hynes said.
IN PROMOTING teamwork and a healthy self-image among students, the teachers liked Wiseman's suggestion of making a "Bill of Rights for Friends," which guides children on how to be a good friend. The children could each come up with his own Bill of Rights, or the class could come up with one for the classroom. Teachers could also arrange a time for students to write a letter to the teacher, in which students could discuss privately what concerns or problems they have.
"What can I say to these kids so we can know what to do to rectify or correct?" asked Carole Zendle, a counselor, as group members were bouncing off ideas.
By coming up with possibilities, the teachers hoped to address two goals: providing a foundation of respect at the beginning of the year so that students can build on it as the year progresses, and helping students realize they can go to teachers, counselors or a trusted adult if problems do come up.
"Respect what the child is saying, rather than just rushing them through," Zendle suggested.
The group meets one more time in August to discuss the book. After they finish it, they plan on seeing the movie "Mean Girls" together.
"Mean Girls" by "Saturday Night Live" writer Tina Fey was inspired by the stories in "Queen Bees & Wannabes."
"I think it's helpful when issues come up like friendship or helping the class get along," said Hynes of the book group.