How to build Harmony through Homework

This week, all schools around the state united hand in hand, in the name of Harmony. Ceremonial chants of belonging were sung, cultural artworks were shared and palettes from around the world were tasted among the sea of orange clothing that students sported this past Wednesday.

The national celebration across New South Wales allows us to reflect on what Harmony is and how we can incorporate the term, expression, feeling, in our everyday lives. Harmony, apart the idea of cultural diversity, is a term coined with serenity, peace, happiness, unity and joyful connection. These values are important to everyone, everywhere, everyday, and it’s important to try and implement harmony where we can to ensure a happier studying, working and domestic environment for all. Whether it be in a friendly competition in the classroom, on the playground with a game of handball, or at home in your relationship with your siblings and parents, harmony sets the foundation for us to make progressive change in our communities.

Unfortunately, creating a harmonious relationship in the classroom with students and teachers is one that is never usually stressed on. Often teachers approach their students in a pressuring and demanding manner. This subconsciously creates a feeling of demotivation or unwillingness to try for those involved in the class. It is imperative that teachers reflect on their measures that they push in class and ensure that a positive relationship is made with their students, rather than one embedded with fear, pressure and stress.

The most common issue students face is the disciplinary measures adopted by teachers when noticing incomplete homework. Creating a negative-fuelled environment that is based on a student’s inability to complete a task from the night before will often lead them to feel bullied, isolated or humiliated. These feelings are not helpful in creating harmony, nor do they instigate a positive mentality for the class to willingly do the work set out for them.

Here are three important steps for everyone to get on board with, to ensure that positive harmonious relationnships are brought forward in the classroom for our students:

1. To the teacher,

Your effort is paramount for a harmonious relationship to flourish. The amount of kind and positive energy you exert to your students, the approachable you are for them to speak to you. Rather than cruelly disciplining them for their conduct, a simple conversation with them about why they didn’t work on their assigned task will work wonders. This will allow you to gather the problems that are existing, and then acting upon these problems so that this academic mishap doesn’t happen again.

2. To the student,

Talk the talk and walk the talk. You’d appreciate if your teacher went out of their way to see why you were unable to do the work you were supposed to. Take this opportunity with your arms wide open and exercise your honesty about what exactly the problem is. Laziness, inability to understand the topic, family problems, leaving your workbook at school… whatever it is, just be real about it.

It is then that your teacher will be able to act on these problems to your benefit, and create a plan that will assist you. Note: if your teacher is willing to help, you should be willing to change. Take advice seriously and work on improving yourself as a student, so that a positive mindset to your studies is achieved.

3. To the parent or guardian,

Yes, you. Believe it or not, you are one of the most important factors in determining whether your child will improve, both academically and personally. It is your responsibility to know what’s going on with your child’s studies, so be wary and present of their attitude to their education. Be involved in their wanting to change when their teacher provides advice and jump on board! School is a portal for students to facilitate changing attitudes to education and academic skillset. It is at home though, that allows children to shape their habits and their learning abilities, so be their pillar for strength and support so that they are able to grow and become the best that they can be.

Getting everyone involved will allow for positive relationships in the classroom to grow, and therefore allow students to feel comfortable around the figures that should mean the most to them during their schooling life. Let’s try and enact harmony everywhere, and in every aspect of our life, so that we receive the results that we’re after.