“Time cannot be contained, only the memories caught within that time can be!” -Diane Dutchin

What do your children want for a present? I am asked this question frequently, especially around the holidays and their birthdays. For the past few years I simply answer,

“They want you. They want quality time with you. They want you to listen. They want your undivided attention.”

I was reminded this week that time and someone to listen is the desired present for “big people,” too. I was in a store shopping for great bargains in the after holiday clearance aisle. I had noticed an older woman pushing a shopping cart around the store doing the same.

As I paused in front of the gift cards she mentioned that some of the cards were pretty enough by themselves without having money credited to them. I nodded my head in agreement and started to continue shopping. But, after glancing at her face again, I realized that she needed to talk to someone.

I asked her how her holiday was. Then I truly listened to her response. It had been a very difficult and challenging time for her family. Since the summer there have been six funerals. Last month she lost her husband. Her children were unable to visit her during the holiday season. She was at the store because she was lonely.

I spent the next 30 minutes conversing with her. Mostly, I listened. At the end of our conversation she apologized for taking my time, but said she was grateful for it. I asked if I could give her a hug and have my family pray for her. She said yes with tears rolling down her cheeks.

What do most people want? What do most students want? What is the priceless gift you have available for your students?

Educators, as you begin the spring semester, you may ask yourself what do my students want? They want the same as this woman…

“They want you. They want quality time with you. They want you to listen. They want your undivided attention.”

Here are just a few simple ideas for giving your students your time.

• Try greeting your students at the door as they enter your classroom.
• Be at the door as your students exit. Smile at them, make eye contact, and ask them to tell you something they learned that day as their “ticket” to leave.
• Call your students by name. Use their names in stories, word problems, and on tests.
• Notice something personal and specific about each person. As you circulate around the room, share this with each student.
• Use some method for randomly calling on students so that each person feels they are called on with equity. You could put all the students’ names on wooden sticks and pull a stick after asking a question.
• Use wait time after asking an important question. Allow at least 15-20 seconds for students to think.
• Write a note to at least 2 students per day.
• Cruise around the room during independent work time and write down at least 5 positive things you notice about your class. Read these to the class during closure activities.

You wouldn’t think just one of the above strategies would change the dynamics in a classroom, but it will. Try one and see how well received your “gift” is!

“Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other people spend it for you.” -Carl Sandburg