If you could bottle something...

If you could bottle something nebulous, what would it be? In the KNSTE office there is an image of a bottle of Human Kindness, but you might wish to bottle the essence of a loved one, a ray of sunshine for those dark, cold, wintry nights we’re facing (with the central heating turned down low) or a burst of energy for when you’re flagging on a Friday afternoon?

If we could bottle the essence of a lovely, inclusive classroom, what would it contain?  Modelling, adaptations, resources, dialogue, imagery, praise, positivity, varied communication, kindness, trust etc.  This bottle would hold the ongoing process, within the inclusive classroom, where pupils’ needs are ever changing as they react, grow and develop.  The teacher is continually observing, assessing and responding to all those individual needs.

Inclusive teachers are forever processing; going through a process of analysing and responding to needs. Some needs can be pre-empted, some require instant scrutiny, but in all cases, an inclusive teacher will go through the process, consciously planned or unconsciously crafted, of assess, plan, do, review. The process might be instant or planned to run for several weeks. 

John Dewey reminds us that education is a process of living, and not a preparation for future living. So if you’ve assessed that (on a Friday afternoon) your pupils might benefit from developing their ability to self-regulate, why not go through the process of making calming glitter bottles and you might also go through the process of having some fun.

Jill Rawlinson                                                 SCITT Session & Specialism Tutor