Once again I have found some words of wisdom from my own faculty. Denielle Baxter is the 8th grade team leader and ELA teacher at AAK. Here are her words...
I’ve stumbled on a concept that certainly isn’t new. It isn’t even earth shattering. It’s something that I’ve incorporated into my life outside of school with my own kids, and it’s something that I’ve used in my classroom for quite a few years. For whatever reason, however, it is a notion that I’ve been more aware of over the last few weeks. It’s something that I’ve needed to use more consistently over the last two weeks. (I guess staying home for days on end over vacation with a charming two-year old “princess diva” and a very witty and clever six-year-old kindergartener will necessitate the need).
What is this wondrous concept? It’s choice…and we all need to have it in our lives. Whether we are two or six, eleven or thirteen, still in our twenties or thirties, or moving into the forties, fifties, and beyond, we need to feel that we have some control over what affects us in our lives. We need that empowerment.
I find it amazing how many clashes can be avoided just by giving some options. Done effectively, both “sides” win and can be happy. For the two year old, it may be the choice of which pair of pajamas to wear or which cup to use. For the six-year old who is really trying to put off bedtime, it may be “Do you want to brush your teeth before we read the next chapter or after?” For the teen, it might be giving a choice of completing a chore in the morning or waiting until after dinner. In any of these situations, the task at hand is accomplished, but the child can take ownership of how it was done.
In my classroom, one way I incorporate choice is in the form of how students may go about completing a project. It will still be completed based on the criteria I set, and it will still meet those all-important standards, but the student can decide what materials, which method, and what content to use. Student choice also benefits the teacher…think about the variety of material that can be appreciated when a project or task is assigned and later needs to be graded.
For adults…oh, admit it, you relish the idea of being able to make choices in life. It’s the message in Robert Frost’s classic poem “The Road Not Taken.” If you haven’t read it in a while, go ahead—read it and apply it to your own life. I’ll wait. http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15717
There. Now think about the choices and decisions you’ve made over the years. Good or bad, big or small, you were able to define your life based on your decisions—and the reason for that is because you were faced with choices. It’s made all the difference. It’s what makes us feel we are important—that we have a say in how things work. Even making a bad choice can still be viewed as a learning opportunity.
By giving children choices, we are giving them some control over their lives when it seems to them that adults have all of the authority. By giving students choices when possible, we are preparing them for the world beyond these hallways and for making good decisions in their futures. Even when we, as educators, are given choices, it makes us feel that our experiences and expertise matter. It’s what makes us feel that we are valued as professionals.
That isn’t to say that giving choices should be the only way. Of course, there are times when it just won’t work. I do find, however, that when people frequently have options to choose from, they are more willing to cooperate in a situation when choice just isn’t possible.
Do you want fries with that?
Happy Weekend,
Denielle
No comments:
Post a Comment