How do you or might you use language to change the way that your students think about learning in the classroom?
One simple idea of this is the concept of a growth mindset. As a teacher we need to remember that the way we interact with students, families, and other teachers is being watched by out students. I have a 4 year old and everyday I need to remind myself that he is watching me model behavior and bases his responses, interactions, and attitudes on what he sees me do. This is a very basic and simple understanding of this weeks topic but I think it really applies to our work in the classroom.
The attitude we have towards simple things like grading papers, the stress we show about deadlines, or the frustration about something that happened yesterday at dinner. These are all things that can have a negative impact on student learning, because it can affect the way we teach. Young kiddos are so intuitive and can tell when we act differently.
In Explore like a Pirate the author how language can impact a students confidence, creativity, enthusiasm, effort, focus, resilience, initiative, curiosity, dependability, empathy. All these are so important for a student to have and understand why it is important for them to display and show in the classroom. It is a bit scary that the language a teacher uses can affect so many key aspects for a student. I think the key ones for me were confidence, curiosity, and effort. I would like to talk more in-depth about those.
Confidence
Allow students to ask all reasonable questions. From a young age they believe they can achieve anything and if they are told or make to believe that is not true it will have a negative affect on their self image. This may cause them to question their role and how they fit in the world. A simple thing like telling a students question is stupid or doesn't deserve to be answered can make students feel that their ideas and voice doesn't matter and they should just stay quiet.
Curiosity
Students need to allowed to be curious about so many aspects of their education. When I worked for week in a rural village so much of their lessons were driven by what the students were interested in. In that instance it was more of a approach to enhance engagement because many of the students had low engagement.
Teachers need to allow students the opportunity to be curious whether that be allow students to pick their own animal for a report, allowing students to pick a book that interests them, or allowing for exploration about a new topic.
Effort
Hearing positive, encouraging, and uplifting words everyday is what every child needs to hear. Some students may not hear that at home so as teachers we need to be the voice of positive encouragement for them. It can make a world of difference for a child to hear that the teacher is happy they are in class today, or acknowledge when a student is absent that they were missed. All of these simple things can make a huge difference in a students effort in the classroom because they feel wanted and respected and are able to work hard without hearing negative words.
Matera, M. (2015). Explore like a Pirate: Gamification and game-inspired course design to engage, enrich, and elevate your learners. San Diego, CA: Dave Burgess Consulting, Incorporated.
One simple idea of this is the concept of a growth mindset. As a teacher we need to remember that the way we interact with students, families, and other teachers is being watched by out students. I have a 4 year old and everyday I need to remind myself that he is watching me model behavior and bases his responses, interactions, and attitudes on what he sees me do. This is a very basic and simple understanding of this weeks topic but I think it really applies to our work in the classroom.
The attitude we have towards simple things like grading papers, the stress we show about deadlines, or the frustration about something that happened yesterday at dinner. These are all things that can have a negative impact on student learning, because it can affect the way we teach. Young kiddos are so intuitive and can tell when we act differently.
In Explore like a Pirate the author how language can impact a students confidence, creativity, enthusiasm, effort, focus, resilience, initiative, curiosity, dependability, empathy. All these are so important for a student to have and understand why it is important for them to display and show in the classroom. It is a bit scary that the language a teacher uses can affect so many key aspects for a student. I think the key ones for me were confidence, curiosity, and effort. I would like to talk more in-depth about those.
Confidence
Allow students to ask all reasonable questions. From a young age they believe they can achieve anything and if they are told or make to believe that is not true it will have a negative affect on their self image. This may cause them to question their role and how they fit in the world. A simple thing like telling a students question is stupid or doesn't deserve to be answered can make students feel that their ideas and voice doesn't matter and they should just stay quiet.
Curiosity
Students need to allowed to be curious about so many aspects of their education. When I worked for week in a rural village so much of their lessons were driven by what the students were interested in. In that instance it was more of a approach to enhance engagement because many of the students had low engagement.
Teachers need to allow students the opportunity to be curious whether that be allow students to pick their own animal for a report, allowing students to pick a book that interests them, or allowing for exploration about a new topic.
Effort
Hearing positive, encouraging, and uplifting words everyday is what every child needs to hear. Some students may not hear that at home so as teachers we need to be the voice of positive encouragement for them. It can make a world of difference for a child to hear that the teacher is happy they are in class today, or acknowledge when a student is absent that they were missed. All of these simple things can make a huge difference in a students effort in the classroom because they feel wanted and respected and are able to work hard without hearing negative words.
Matera, M. (2015). Explore like a Pirate: Gamification and game-inspired course design to engage, enrich, and elevate your learners. San Diego, CA: Dave Burgess Consulting, Incorporated.
Great post this week! I have to remind myself that students are curious about everything. When they are at school, they are typically in a position where everything they do during the day falls under "This is new to me" or "I know about this topic, but I'm building on my knowledge." So it is important that we allow them to ask questions while they explore the new material. And you're right, those who are encouraged to ask questions, be curious, and have confidence in themselves will be the ones who develop a growth mindset!
ReplyDeleteI agree that confidence, curiosity, and effort are important. I liked your example of teaching in the village and tailoring assignments to students interests.
ReplyDeleteErika,
ReplyDeleteI loved your analogy of a growth mindset. I also believe that our perception about life is the deciding key on so many factors in our life. If we think that we can finish this online class, then we will find a way to complete all the required work. However, if we believe that the task is too hard for us, then we will not go far in life. Great post.
Josie
I also enjoyed your analogy of the growth mindset. I know what you mean about your four year old watching everything you say and do. It is the same way in my first-grade classroom. My students often repeat the exact words and phrases I use when speaking to them. I know they are very curious and listen to everything I say to other students and adults. I also like what you wrote about confidence, curiosity and effort. I love when students ask me questions because it shows me that they want to understand the things that are important to them.
ReplyDeleteSorry...that was by Cherie Lindquist. I can't switch from my work to my college Google sign in on my work computer.
DeleteErika, great post I like your point under effort as Mother Teresa once said "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." Being present and intentionally positive when we speak to our students is very important as the impact can be lasting.
ReplyDelete