I know that sometimes I frustrate my students. I mean, all teachers do, but I frustrate them specifically because I force them to figure things out for themselves more than they would like. Perhaps more than they are used to. It is so much easier to play the school game when a teacher gives step by step instructions that don't require thought. Problem is, I don't WANT my students to play the school game. I want them to leave the time we spend together more capable then they were when they came in. This requires them to learn to be self reliant, to look for solutions themselves, to be creative. This requires them to take risk. All of these things can be very uncomfortable for students, especially those who are fans of the marks economy.
The fear of a "bad mark" inhibits both risk and often self reliance. I've been told that many elementary classrooms use a "ask three then me" policy with students. Some interpret this as lazy teaching.
I get very very nervous though. Our world is changing so quickly that everything I teach will be out of date in mere years. Students NEED to become independent learners. They need to be able to read and follow directions. To problems solve. To use multiple resources to clarify what they are unsure of. Those are all vital aspects of communications. And communication is what an English classroom is about.
So yep, I'll take the grumbles and the pushback from students right now, hoping that in the future the independence serves them well.
The fear of a "bad mark" inhibits both risk and often self reliance. I've been told that many elementary classrooms use a "ask three then me" policy with students. Some interpret this as lazy teaching.
I get very very nervous though. Our world is changing so quickly that everything I teach will be out of date in mere years. Students NEED to become independent learners. They need to be able to read and follow directions. To problems solve. To use multiple resources to clarify what they are unsure of. Those are all vital aspects of communications. And communication is what an English classroom is about.
So yep, I'll take the grumbles and the pushback from students right now, hoping that in the future the independence serves them well.