When I was growing up, I was never allowed to be bored.
My mother told us (me and my brothers) that only boring people are bored. Furthermore, it is impossible to be bored, because you can always sit and think great thoughts. I have been pondering this a lot lately, especially when faced with students who toss the "B" word around so carelessly. Whenever possible, I impart my mother's wisdom to my classes, and in my library and makerspace, "bored," is a bad word, along with "can't," "won't," and "give up."
I want my students to learn that I am not interested in the end product, but in their effort. My classroom is a place to try, to fail, to try again, and to be proud of the journey, whatever the destination ultimately is.
I want them to discover that boredom is never a possibility when you are always thinking and wondering and trying.
I have many professional goals as a school librarian. This year, I realized that simply getting my students to believe that they can think great thoughts is one of my most important goals.
