Why Writers Are The Worst Procrastinators explains the reason behind an author’s dilly-dallying which is also true for students for which school is easy. I know teenage development and the “me” world in which they live. Lately, I have pondered ways to challenge my top students. They can wait til the last minute and still do a good job, but was there any depth or thought process. I have been frustrated at the fact that my students just want a checklist and be done and get their “A”. Yet! My goal is to help my students become curious and the cliched “life-long learner”. How do I get them there? What can I do to teach them to love learning?
On the other end of the spectrum in education are Students Who Lose Recess Are the Ones Who Need It Most. Physical activity and socializing are an important part of development. What does one do as a teacher when it is either fail a child or keep him/her from recess? Because honestly, I don’t like either of those choices. In education, students’ intelligence is linked to so many scores and grades. I want my students to develop skills that will help them in life and not just to get a grade for my class. A quote accredited to Albert Einstein, “Everybody is a Genius. But If You Judge a Fish by Its Ability to Climb a Tree, It Will Live Its Whole Life Believing that It is Stupid.” I just want my students to be successful, happy, productive people of the world whatever they choose to do.
It’s been one of those reflective weeks for me. I can only control the time that the students are with me. I need to make it count. I want to make it count! How do I help students change their bad habits into something productive? At the same time, I do want them to die from stress and pressure that many of them experience while trying to be perfect: Their possibilities are infinite, and I want my students to recognize that.
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Ah the challenges of a teacher. It is hard when students just want to check things off their list, get the A and be done with it. I think this is where geeking out comes into play. As a teacher if we can harness the students passions (or ignite new ones), we can help students continue the learning process.
Such a good point about the kids who need it most are the ones who get it taken away. I don’t know what the solution is in a system where you have to give grades and that seems to be the main motivator for kids to be successful.
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