I picked up my students a bit early from gym today, and I was able to get a glimpse into the gymnasium life as I watched my students work together on a pretty unique relay. There were four separate groups each trying to make their way across the ocean as they had to stay together, walk across a balance beam and then move the beam to the front so the next person could walk across. The person who fell would unfortunately require all members of the team to move their boat back to the beginning and begin again. 

I'm unsure if this game had a name. I don't recall the gym teacher giving it one. So in my head as I was watching the teamwork happening in front of my eyes, I decided to call it "Crossing the Ocean" because in so many ways many members of our classroom have crossed the ocean to get to Hartwood. And I think because of this, my students have already mastered the unique ability to communicate in so many ways and cooperate using few words than one may think was ever possible. And it was interesting to watch this ocean crossing unfold because in all of my other years of teaching, I generally see frustration or talking from a single person. And for whatever reason, this group appears to cooperate using the fewest words, sparse language, much silence and gratitude. A silent but successful crossing. A silent but diligent crossing. 

No one was successful. But many came close. It was a peaceful crossing. That's what matters most.