I have the pleasure of having 20 first graders as my teachers. At the end of the day we have a meeting about what we learned at school. I always enjoy their take on the day and what stood out to them.
Yesterday was one of those days when nothing worked out. You know those days when nothing gets finished and your classroom is a disaster. I contemplated “forgetting” our classroom meeting because I couldn’t imagine what my students learned and I didn’t need a reminder of what an epic teaching fail I had. Sure enough one of my bright-eyed six year olds said, “Mrs. Hellyer it’s time to have our classroom meeting!” At first I cringed that I had taught them to tell time and then with a smile I asked everyone join me at the carpet. The first child to put her hand up was a shy girl who rarely talks. In disbelief I called her name and leaned in to listen to her soft toned voice. She took a few breaths and said, “You know what I learned today, sometimes things work out, sometimes they don’t, but every time we try we are learning.” My mouth dropped and my eyebrows lifted as I listened to what my teacher was saying.
If we pay attention to the process and not the product we will learn that deep knowledge and understanding shines through when we are fully supporting children in their formulation of ideas and questioning of their knowledge.
Emily Hellyer (@onerockinteach) loves to teach her grade one students through art and inquiry. Instilling a sense of wonder and creating a passion for knowledge in young learners. http://visualjournals4kids.blogspot.ca
Yesterday was one of those days when nothing worked out. You know those days when nothing gets finished and your classroom is a disaster. I contemplated “forgetting” our classroom meeting because I couldn’t imagine what my students learned and I didn’t need a reminder of what an epic teaching fail I had. Sure enough one of my bright-eyed six year olds said, “Mrs. Hellyer it’s time to have our classroom meeting!” At first I cringed that I had taught them to tell time and then with a smile I asked everyone join me at the carpet. The first child to put her hand up was a shy girl who rarely talks. In disbelief I called her name and leaned in to listen to her soft toned voice. She took a few breaths and said, “You know what I learned today, sometimes things work out, sometimes they don’t, but every time we try we are learning.” My mouth dropped and my eyebrows lifted as I listened to what my teacher was saying.
If we pay attention to the process and not the product we will learn that deep knowledge and understanding shines through when we are fully supporting children in their formulation of ideas and questioning of their knowledge.
Emily Hellyer (@onerockinteach) loves to teach her grade one students through art and inquiry. Instilling a sense of wonder and creating a passion for knowledge in young learners. http://visualjournals4kids.blogspot.ca
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