It's been a week of deep learning for me and for my students. Multiple new classroom and school-wide initiatives have created questions, missteps, debate, discomfort, and new learning.
So today, aware of this busy tributary, I'll take a few minutes to discuss learning discomfort with students. I'll ask, When is learning uncomfortable? I'll be interested in their answers. After that I'll ask, Do you think it's okay that learning is uncomfortable at times? I expect that there will be a mix of answers to that, and then we'll discuss when is discomfort okay, and when is it not okay? Finally, I'll say, "How are things going? What do you need from me as learners in this class? How can I help you with the many big challenges in front of us right now including the challenge to write a great reading response, craft a wonderful narrative, and solve multiple math problems with precision, understanding, and skill. In the end I'll remind them that in some ways this is our learning boot camp time (yes, response to standards and upcoming standardized tests), but after this leg of the year will be our exciting, project base learning chapter--a time for lots of creation, integration, and collaboration.
I'll start the day as the coach, mentor, and cheerleader I'm supposed to be--the one who keeps a positive momentum and service to children going strong.
As for my own professional path, I realize that I have to gain more clarity about initiatives, efforts, and plans. Rather than just assume I understand the details, I need to see the expectations in writing. I also need to expect error and leave room in the schedule for that. As for the repetition of questions, concerns, and issues--this too is a part of the learning curve both in the classroom and without. I read an article about this last night, and accurate communication is a challenge in all disciplines, perhaps one of the greatest challenges of our times as information, change, and ideas flow freely amongst and around us.
Discomfort, yes. Discouragement, sometimes. Determination, remains. Onward.
