Step One: Give Open Ended Choice
Students tend to create self imposed limits. It is our job to focus on giving them the confidence to grow. By giving open ended choice as often as possible you are allowing a safe space for your students to explore and thrive.
For example, in writing: you can put out a blank piece of paper with a standard space for a picture on the top of the page and blank lines at the bottom. Your highest students will fill the lines with words and give very detailed pictures. Your most struggling students will draw wonderful pictures. Maybe they will label a few words they feel confident writing on the lines. In their eyes everyone is being given the same assignment with the choice to decide what the end product looks like. You are allowing your students to work at their current skill set with confidence.
Step Two: Build Their Confidence
You might be thinking but I need to follow the curriculum!?! Students have a schedule to be met. How can I follow such loose expectations? The pressure we put on ourselves is also self-imposed. Your students won’t be where they are “expected” to be until they are developmentally ready. So instead, give opportunities for them to FEEL really special, take every chance you can to build the trust and confidence they need to BELIEVE they can do it (the assignment, the question, the word, whatever it is) because that is when the magic happens.
Step Three: Use Personal and Peer Feedback to Drive Your Instruction
While you are offering these choices through out your day you will be creating small groups based on similarities. During this time, have the kids evaluate their own work quietly with your guided questions. Ask them what made them feel good and what made them feel confused. Is there anything they would like to know more about? By allowing this time for self-reflection we are teaching the ultimate goal of critical thought and the skillset to do so independently as life long learners. You are also simultaneously now guiding your students based on their needs, strengths and interests – and SHA-BAM-O instant engagement.
Step Four: Use their Natural Chatter for Good Rather Than Evil
Your students love to talk, this natural skill can be fostered for their own good. A quiet classroom might at first appearance seem like one with excellent classroom management. Upon further investigation we might learn very little engagement is happening without the chatter. Yes we want them to be on task with their topics, yes we will give several hundred reminders throughout the day and that’s okay! It is during their conversations that our struggling students learn from their peers ideas and observations. It is also during this time that our most vulnerable kids find their voice.
So, give them Choice, Build their Confidence, Utilize Critical Thinking and Encourage the Chatter.
With Love, C.
