The angle was very acute.
This is the prompt for the 100wc this week.
However, I have decided to write something else completely!
Be a sticker not a quitter
I have this written in my classroom above the
board and it is something I find myself saying over and over again. As a
primary school teacher not a day goes past that a child doesn’t find something difficult
until that magical light bulb moment when you and they know that they have
grasped the concept. It doesn’t matter whether it is being able to spell a
word, make a prediction, work out a calculation, interpret a chart, spot the
mistake , tie a lace… each and every step along the path to learning is
important.
I feel it is vital to give children the
confidence to have a go, even if they are not sure if they will be right or
not, so that they can experience the pleasure that comes from success. And to
learn to cope when things don’t go their way. It seems that more and more this “stickability”
doesn’t come naturally.
So, have I got a solution? I try to have an ethos
in my class where every child feels safe and secure to have a go. We make good
use of working partners and I have been totally sold on the use of lolly sticks
(or similar) to choose children rather than hands up. Even the least confident
children in my class will have a go and take part. Now that , in my opinion, is
what teaching is all about. Empowering children to have the confidence to ask questions,
want to find out more, not be afraid to have their own opinions.
I have been busy trying to organise a project
involving all the local schools and have had to write a lot of letters, make a
lot of calls and write a lot of emails . But, it is all starting to come
together now.
So, whatever comes with new curriculum proposals,
I will keep true to my class mantra. If only the “powers that be” could
remember that it’s all about the children, that it’s our job as educators to
enthuse, engage, inspire a love of learning. Give them the tools to be able to
find out more.
“The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a
fire to be kindled.” Plutarch.
Amen to that.
