Welcome to Success!

What do you do in your classroom to help all students feel successful?

For many years, I used to have a banner in my room that read WELCOME TO SUCCESS! (a la Harry K. Wong)  I really do believe that all of my students have something to offer our class.  I want them to feel comfortable with themselves, and I want them to feel like they are contributing and growing in our class.

It has been a couple of years since I hung that banner.  I may have to do it again this year.  I wqant them to know that I believe that they are special and talented.  I try to show them this in my language, by offering a variety of choice activities, and by pointing out my strengths and weaknesses.  They need to know that very few of us are full of only strengths.  We all have areas that are more difficult for us.  When we work in groups, we try to "play to our strengths."  We do it as adults, so I think they should learn to do it some as children, too.  That doesn't mean we avoid trying to strengthen our weaknesses...

What things do you do to help students feel talented and successful?

Sir Ken Robinson

This afternoon, I watched a thought-provoking presentation by Sir Ken Robinson at the 2010 TED Conference. He called it Bring on the Revolution! He was a very entertaining and interesting presenter. He talked about changes that he thought needed to happen to education.

In his presentation, he discusses the fact that school is so often taught in a linear fashion with the line beginning to point towards college degrees as early as kindergarten.

Not all children will immediately go to a traditional college program after 12th grade, but even so, they are likely to become important, contributing members of our society. It made me wonder, "Do I show my students how much I value their talents? Do I work to make my room a place that lets children explore possibilities rather than just a place to "jump through the hoops?"

If you have time, watch some of the presentation. Let me know your thoughts.