As my title suggests, I have become focused on student engagement. Having the priviledge of joining other teachers, and in visiting other classrooms, I am continually seeing students NOT engaged. The following is me trying to make sense of student engagement, and my thoughts around this topic.
You get what you get and you don't get upset
Having young girls at home, I am very familiar with the teachings of Pinkalicious.
There is a nugget of wisdom from this book that reminds me to stop complaining about things I have no control over. I was once told by a very wise principal that parents are sending their best kids to school - they aren't hiding them at home! Why am I getting upset about (behaviour? lack of home support? poor home condition? lack of parental involvement?)? The list could go on and on. I need to stop complaining and then start doing!! I can't make these kids better by complaining about them. I work with what I've got.
Instructional time is precious
I can be a bit intense as a teacher. There is an urgency to my teaching - I only have these kids, the best that are sent to me, for a set amount of time each day. I cannot control anything else beyond what I have in front of me. So I need to maximize this time. This time for my teaching is precious and needs to be protected. This means that anything that takes away from this precious time needs to be cut.
In my own practice, I needed to look carefully at what I was doing, and were students engaged in doing this. Not only does it contribute to behaviour problems (kids bored=trouble) but it is insulting to everyone.
Let's cut the garbage. I have had spirited discussions with other teachers about how they are spending their time - in response to my reflections on how I was spending my own time in my class. If I am complaining about not having enough time with my students, then what can I do about it?? If I need more time with an intervention group, then how can I free myself up??
What about the daily routines - calendar comes to mind. Could the kids run that routine, giving me time to work with a small group? Could I post the answers to homework, giving me time to work with kids that need it?? Do I need to spend time in class teaching handwriting???
What would make you run to school?
In her amazing blog post on The Passion Gap, Angela Maiers asks this question: What would make you run to school? I love this! I have often struggled with my role as a teacher. I am funny, but not an entertainer. I am not a friend to the students - but I am the one responsible for the learning environment.
In my learning environment, I am passionate about success. I am passionate about giving amazing educational experiences to my students. I would love the experiences in my class to be the best part of the day for my students.
In my travels, I have seen many amazing things. However, I have also seen kids filling in time until they can get on with the better parts of their day: recess, home time, gym, time with friends, etc. This breaks my heart!
I challenge my students who wear those disrespectful t-shirts.
Why is it you don't like school? Probably because school isn't engaging. You don't have to love school... or do you? Why don't you love school? I don't think that's okay to publicly declare that you don't like school. My job, again, isn't to entertain you - but I do have to engage you. This is a shared responsibility - my students and myself.
I need to give opportunities for the students to share their passions, engage in their passions, become as passionate about learning as I am!! If you aren't passionate about school, then that is a problem - not something to be celebrated.
Snack is not in the curriculum
A VP of mine, who spoke fondly of the curriculum, was often heard reminding us that snack is not in the curriculum. Do kids need to eat? Certainly, but that dead time spent twice a day could be better used doing something - something real and engaging! You can eat AND work! Amazing!!!
Maximizing my time
I send homework home - and expect it to be done. Homework, I feel, is a great way for students to practice and solidify the skills I've taught in class.
My struggle has been about taking it up. How do I honour those who do the work, while really the kids who needed to complete this the most - mostly likely haven't done it! Therefore, the time I spend taking it up (to an audience that really doesn't need it) means that I am taking time away from the students who really it the most!
I have had to be a little creative about homework. I've lately posted the homework and answers on the MOODLE, so those who did it can immediately correct it, so in class I can focus on giving more time to those who require it.
I share because I am passionate about student engagement. I will continue on this journey, as I continue to learn and grow in my role. Some remaining questions I still have:
- How do I get other teachers passionate about teaching?
- How do I teach others to be passionate about student engagement?
- How do I model this passion to others?
Here's to sharing my passion!!
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