The Merriam Webster Learner’s Dictionary online says that the word anticipation can be used in two ways: 1) a feeling of excitement about something that is going to happen and 2) the act of preparing for something. I am picking up my grandson today at our airport so that he can fly again tomorrow with my husband and me to Sanibel Island, on the gulf side of Florida. This is the grandson who moved away this year; he’s ten and we’ve taken him on a trip every year since he was four, although only this far away last year and this trip. We are anticipating the week with such excitement, have planned what we want to see and do with multiple lists, although we certainly are flexible enough that if something else better comes along, we’ll go there! We have also planned lists of what we need to bring with us, like plenty of sunscreen and insect repellent, comfortable clothes for beach combing and bird watching, and the pertinent paperwork in order to fly and take care of ourselves in medical emergencies, plus journals, pens, pencils for writing, and books to read at our leisure. We have planned big!
So, as I have been anticipating this trip with such excitement, as definition 1 says, and I have been anticipating each of our needs according to definition number 2, I am again making connections to work, and wondering where this all fits into how I teach? There is so much whirling around in my head because of my own anticipation, but it seems to narrow to only a few things:
§ Trust within the group so that everyone feels fully open to a new experience.
§ Allow everyone to anticipate what is needed and participate in the planning.
§ Build in time for flexible thinking, in case something wonderful presents itself that supplants other plans.
I’ve had such fun with the building of this trip, and know I’ll have fun in the next week, hoping to find new ideas for writing too! And actually, I believe that later I might write more fully about the three points above, and how they really look in the classroom.
I really like your use of and examples from the definition of anticipate, plus you are able to tie that into your work. Good food for thought, looking forward to your new stories and expanded thinking. Enjoy your trip and time with the grandson.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy this special trip!
ReplyDeleteI'm anticipating some wonderful poems and writing after this trip to Sanibel. I know you will be able to capture with words the beauty and paradise that lives on the island. Enjoy the ocean breeze, the sandy beaches, the glowing sun and most of all, the special time with your precious grandson.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your time together. Lucky grandson. :) Looking forward to reading your words after the trip.
ReplyDeleteRuth
What a great trip! Have a wonderful time. I hope that you are able to fulfill your plans and more. Enjoy your time. We'll all be anticipating some wonderful moments from your trip.
ReplyDeleteI can tell that some great stories are coming!
ReplyDeleteI'm also really looking forward to hearing your thoughts about the 3 points near the end of your post and how they relate to the classroom....but not for a while. We're still sinking into summer after all!
Anticipation is a great word and a great feeling to combine with anything happening in the summer
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