No Pencil, No Paper, No Lesson

"No shirt, no shoes, no service". "We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone". These are statements posted in other places of business. In education we may not actually "post" any service statements, but posting isn't all that necessary because the message can come through loud and clear just the same.

It is unfortunate, but I have to say that I have seen refusal of service, educational service, in a few classrooms. For the most part, the refusal of service is triggered by what I have come to call, "No pencil, no paper, no lesson". While it is frustrating for a teacher to see a student who has a cell phone and an iPod, but fails to bring pencil and paper to class—hence no participation, no "service", teachers still can't "refuse" them. No kidding, it happens, but it shouldn't. Oh for heaven sake, teaching is a "service", what's the harm in providing paper and pencil? Besides, a classroom management issue genrerally rears its ugly head under conditions like this. If the teacher's any good, she/he can create a lesson around bringing supplies to class, being prepared, and taking responsibility for one's own learning. In the meantime, hand over the paper and pencils.

A thoughtful comment on the right actually reminded me that I wanted to log this little post. I believe it was Jackson who brought up "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB), but for all the right reasons, inclusion and connection building—brilliant. NCLB needs to stand for more than standardized test scores. A student connected with a teacher stands little chance of being "left behind" and the "connected" teacher can find a pencil and a piece of paper.

So, always remember, the kid without the pencil needs you more than the kid with the pencil.

Stef