Thanks for joining us for Chapter 4 in the Explore Like a Pirate book study! Chapter 4 is all about the new language of learning.
Matera uses 10 words to describe purpose driven language, which is something that all highly successful students (and people in general) have. This is the primary language he uses in his classroom when communicating with parents, on student report cards, and describing upcoming projects. It was definitely food for thought, and I'm mulling over some ideas for how to incorporate this into a 2nd grade classroom.
He talks about how sitting through endless modeling has created a passive student body, and how they need us to hold their hands every step of the way. We need to empower students to be brave enough to try on their own, and also to know that it is okay to fail - that's how we learn!
That's why it's so important for us to encourage creativity in our students! We can do that by creating risk-rich environments, where our students know it's okay to make mistakes (that's how we learn!) and by asking open ended questions.
Enthusiasm includes 2 parts:
- Educators need to create tasks that are worth getting excited about. Who ever got excited about completing a worksheet in silence?
- Remind students to keep an open mind and enthusiastic about challenging and less engaging tasks for the sake of themselves and their classmates.
Your attitude determines your attitude!
Putting forth your best effort every day is a must!
It's difficult to master at any age, but requires attention and practice.
FAIL stands for: First Attempt In Learning. After you FAIL then you can set SAIL: Second Attempt In Learning. A great way to give students more confidence so they're less likely to give up on learning.
When students rush through assignments (aka their "quest") remind them that initiative is the first step, but the way to greatness requires focus and effort. I need to remember this for my gifted kiddos who just try to complete as many tasks as poorly quickly as they can!
Follow their questions to find answers, and then even better questions. Matera recommends playing on their natural curiosity by dropping hints of things to come, starting a rumor about an upcoming "challenge", and just being playful in general. Works for me!
To me, this sounds like students work on developing their "word" so we, and their team mates, can believe and depend on them. Do what you say you're going to do!
Students need to give and receive empathy throughout their education.
A big shout out to Rachael at Sweet Sweet Primary for organizing the link up! Make sure you join us next Tuesday for Chapter 5! Click the image above to go back to the linky.
P.S. - Click here to follow me on BlogLovin'! My page there is a work in progress, but it's coming along.
I love what Matera says about us creating a passive student body due to endless modeling. There are so many simple ways to change this and I can't wait to read more! Thanks for linking up. Your graphics are super cute. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your graphics! This chapter made the book for me. There was so much I wanted to share with other people!
ReplyDeleteWow, I love how you sort of personified each trait with your images!
ReplyDeleteSarah
The Designer Teacher