When students understand their power to lead and manage their learning, they generally respond favorably.
For example, if Sara is not attending, you may say, "Sara, I'm wondering why you're making the choice not to take advantage of this learning? What's on your mind? How can I help?"
Also as you teach, you can survey the class. Who is raising their hand? Who is taking notes? Who is asking questions? Who is extending the lesson? How are you pointing out apt dispositions and actions related to learning, and also how are you leading the lesson to respond well to the students? What can you do to move the learning experience forward so that students are engaged, invested, and actively learning?
Today, we'll move from yesterday's exciting STEAM creativity to a more direct teaching day--we've got knowledge to explore, connect, and learn. I'll start the lesson, by showing students the learning palette as I explain that there are many ways to learn, and one important aspect of elementary school is giving students the chance to try out all these learning "colors" so they understand how to learn while they learn.
I'll also emphasize that students will have different favorite ways to learn, but if we only learn in one way we're not helping our minds to grow with strength. Similar to cross-training for the body, learning in varied ways strengthens many parts of the brain, one's learning discipline, and readiness to learn.
Then we'll learn together.
What "colors" will you employ as you learn with your students today?
