So as this school year started I took to the ways of many other educators who are incorporating student voice into the classroom and had my 8th graders help create a class syllabus and technology policy.
I have spent the past few years dabbling with student voice in the classroom and have come to the conclusion that for me, in my class, having students share their voice is better than dictating expectations and learning to them.
During the past year I have hosted a Student EdCamp where students discussed grading, technology, formative assessments and other topics that were important to their learning without teachers prompting them, and the ideas from that EdCamp were fantastic. With more technology I have been able to give students more options in how they learn and listen to what works best for them.
From the start of this school year, I wanted to incorporate as much student voice as I could. I have started by opening up my syllabus to the students. The way I explained to my 8th graders is that they have been in school for eight years, so they already have a lot of experience with school and what a well run classroom and learning environment looks like.
I provided a few talking points, i.e., describe what coming to class prepared looked like, or what work time or down time looks like. I threw in a couple of my own afterwards (I think its important to share pet peeves with students so they know going in that tapping on their desk with their pencil like the drummer from Def Leopard gets on your nerves). I was very impressed with what every group in every class ended up doing. As a matter of fact, the majority of the class expectations were exactly what I have had for the past few years. There were a few additions that put me on the edge of my comfort zone, like a change in how students leave the classroom, or having snacks in class that make me a bit nervous, but together we worked out expectations so we both feel comfortable.
Overall, the benefit of opening up the syllabus to not just student input but to student creation is that you build a higher level of trust with you students. Students are part of the learning process. After all, the learning process we have been creating is entirely for them, so why not have their input and voice in that process? In the process, students practice communication, working in groups, problem solving and seeing things from a different perspective than their own and even that of a student, all great skills to make our future students proud. As we have been underway for a couple weeks now the impact of providing student voice and input in the class syllabus is visible and has had a positive impact in the classroom and in building relationships with students.
If you are thinking about bringing student voice into your classroom and don't want to jump all the way in, there are ways that you can stick a toe into the water that make a big ripple in the learning pond. Student voice when creating a class syllabus can be a big leap forward and a great starting point.
Sunday, August 30, 2015
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Make Your Future Self Proud
As a middle school teacher I have the pleasure of working with a unique group of students.
At times I look out and have no idea what they are doing and can't even begin to guess why they are doing what they are doing; the really fun--and sometimes frustrating--part about this is that at times, they don't know why they are doing what they are doing either.
Middle school is a mix of growth spurts and hormones which cause mood swings and attention spans to be that of a squirrel at a nut factory. In the classroom it is a mix of students who are completely with it most of the time and want to do their best, to students who may not know what day it is or what they are wearing without looking down, and every kind of student in between. Some are so busy with school, sports, activities and home life they don't know if they are coming or going. Others do their own thing and try to fly under the radar. The one factor that all these students have in common is that they are trying to make it through each day, one at a time.
So when I look out and see my middle school students doing seemingly random things, I give a quick chuckle on the inside, sometimes on the outside too, and know it's time to talk about "Future You."
With all that is going on in a middle schooler's life, they often don't see past the immediate present, and sometimes not even that far. We often need to remind them that what they do today has an impact on the future. The future could be an hour from now, tomorrow, next week, or when they are 30. What they are doing now impacts others and themselves beyond the moment.
I often say, "Do something today to make your future self proud." Nobody wants future you to get a time machine and come back to talk some sense into you, nor will that actually happen. So, let your actions pick people up and your presence inspire. Do something today to make your future self proud.
As a teacher I do my best to model this same sentiment. What can I do today to make my future self proud? What can I do to pick up students who are down, or colleagues who had a rough day? How can my actions inspire students and teachers to become the best future self they can? All I really can do is keep learning how to do what I do better each and every day and share what I am learning with colleagues.
If future me were to rent a time machine and come back for a visit, I would want him to thank me for doing what I could now to make me proud then. (There's some timey wimey stuff in there somewhere).
At times I look out and have no idea what they are doing and can't even begin to guess why they are doing what they are doing; the really fun--and sometimes frustrating--part about this is that at times, they don't know why they are doing what they are doing either.
Middle school is a mix of growth spurts and hormones which cause mood swings and attention spans to be that of a squirrel at a nut factory. In the classroom it is a mix of students who are completely with it most of the time and want to do their best, to students who may not know what day it is or what they are wearing without looking down, and every kind of student in between. Some are so busy with school, sports, activities and home life they don't know if they are coming or going. Others do their own thing and try to fly under the radar. The one factor that all these students have in common is that they are trying to make it through each day, one at a time.
So when I look out and see my middle school students doing seemingly random things, I give a quick chuckle on the inside, sometimes on the outside too, and know it's time to talk about "Future You."
With all that is going on in a middle schooler's life, they often don't see past the immediate present, and sometimes not even that far. We often need to remind them that what they do today has an impact on the future. The future could be an hour from now, tomorrow, next week, or when they are 30. What they are doing now impacts others and themselves beyond the moment.
I often say, "Do something today to make your future self proud." Nobody wants future you to get a time machine and come back to talk some sense into you, nor will that actually happen. So, let your actions pick people up and your presence inspire. Do something today to make your future self proud.
As a teacher I do my best to model this same sentiment. What can I do today to make my future self proud? What can I do to pick up students who are down, or colleagues who had a rough day? How can my actions inspire students and teachers to become the best future self they can? All I really can do is keep learning how to do what I do better each and every day and share what I am learning with colleagues.
If future me were to rent a time machine and come back for a visit, I would want him to thank me for doing what I could now to make me proud then. (There's some timey wimey stuff in there somewhere).
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