Cultivating Joy in the Classroom

This inquiry begins with a story of joy. 

 

“We need Joy as we need air. We need Love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth we share.” - Maya Angelou 

 

It is just past 7 a.m. on what is looking to be like a rather overcast Monday in Philadelphia. I park my car just across the entrance to the schoolyard, which today is spotted with shallow puddles and tiny muddy footprints. Some students who have arrived early are playing in the schoolyard, running, jumping, shouting, laughing with each other. As I stride across the schoolyard toward the door, Sanaa pauses her laughter and spots me. “Ms. Stillman!” she shouts, running toward me with her backpack bouncing. I pause, lift my arm and wave as she runs closer, jolting to a stop just in front of me. “Good morning, Sanaa!” I say. “How was your weekend?” 

 

“It was good,” she says hurriedly, catching her breath. She adjusts her backpack and looks up at me with a small but serious smile. 

 

“What are we learning today?”

 

This simple question takes me by surprise. On one hand, as her teacher, this is one of the primary questions I seek to pose and answer each day in the classroom, as I write objectives on the board, introduce topics, and teach. On the other hand, this straightforward and obvious question nearly leaves me speechless on the grayest of Monday mornings. I have my lesson plans made, papers graded, worksheets printed out and ready to go for the week. But what are we learning today?

 

“Stories,” I say. “We are going to learn techniques for beginning to write our stories about the characters we created last week.” 

 

“I’m excited,” she says, her smile growing.

 

 “Me too,” I say. Then she turns around and runs back off to play, backpack bouncing. 

 

“See you in a few, Sanaa!” I call behind her as I walk toward the building. 

 

I smile to myself. The sun has barely risen, the wind is cold and biting, I am tired. Before the city has fully woken, there are endless things to complain about, endless questions not to ask, endless reasons not to care. A student in the schoolyard is ready and excited to learn, and I am ready and excited to teach her.

​

This inquiry will explore what leads to moments like this: a discussion of joyful learning, authentic enthusiasm, and blossoming curiosity of students that impacts the way they view school and themselves as learners. What makes a child feel joyful about coming to school in the morning and learning? How do I cultivate that joyful learning in my classroom?

​