To Learn, or Not to Learn

Teachers,

Here is your weekly dose of “5-Point Friday. 

To Learn, or Not to Learn? —

What does it mean to learn? Is that what we do in school? Do we teach learning or do we expect knowing? As I ponder this thought I think back to all the students that knew the answers right away in a lesson. Were they learning? I am not sure they were or did. If they knew it I went on to the next thing. So my next question is, how do we teach students to learn? Is this what we are supposed to be doing with our students, teaching them how to learn and helping them be life long learners? Ask yourself these questions(write them down) and then ask your students the same questions on a google form, or some other way. See if they are the same or if they are different. And then decide what do I do from there. Here is a short tutorial about how to create a google form and share it with your students. Google Form Tutorial

• What makes a good learner?
• What do good learners do when they get stuck?
• What do good learners do when they don't know what to do?
• What is learning? 

Quote I’m pondering —

“"The goal isn't to be fearless, the goal is to fear less." — Tim Ferriss

What I’m watching —

Green and Clean 

Stephen Covey tells a story of how he worked with his son to take care of the yard. Lesson in teaching from the author of “Seven Habits…”

Favorite Article This Week —

Why the 21st Century Classroom may remind you of Starbucks

The flexible seating idea has caught on in many classrooms this year. One thing that this article brings to mind is how engagement and procedures are more important in this type of classroom. Where there is more freedom there is more responsibility. 

A Big Thank You —

Thank you teachers and aides. The Dixie Sun Shiners Club time(trying out names to see how they roll off the fingers) has been an idea in the works and it can to be on Tuesday. As I walked around there was a little confusion with the switching (to be expected on the first day), but it was minimal. It was so smooth. The halls were quiet as students moved between classes. Thank you for taking on this next piece of learning that students want and need. Interventions looked good. The extension classes looked fun. I am excited to see how well it goes over the next few weeks as they settle in. I just want to say thank you fro all your work, for your helps nd for your ideas. You are so willing to do what you can to help your students. Thank you aides for taking a class and teaching something you are interested in. Thank you teachers for intervening with our students. I hope this time will be intentional and successful. Thank you for making the Dixie Club Time (here’s another name idea) work. Thank you for all you do for our students. Thank you. 

I appreciate all of you and your hard work. Have a wonderful weekend.