"It is impossible to live without failing at something, unless you live so cautiously that you might have not lived at all-in which case you fail by default."- JK Rowling
I put this quote on my registration welcome letter. I believe in the power of failure and the wonderful things it leads us to in life. I make sure my students understand that it is okay to make mistakes as long as we learn from them and don't make the same mistakes over and over. Often my students don't have much experience with this. They are only 8 and many come from families that do not allow them to fail. Since I do feel so strongly about this, it is imperative that I allow my students ample opportunities to use their failures to grow. I let students "check" their own work so they can get immediate feedback. If we don't, most will only look at the final grade and never look at what they missed or give a second thought to what the right answer is. I always go back over it and check it myself after they "check it". I do allow them to correct their tests sometimes for 1/2 credit. It depends on the circumstances. I really like some aspects of the graphic organizer on p142. I like having the students think about why they missed a question. I might change or leave out some of the choices just because I know some of my students will choose things like "I thought it was right" or "I studied but I forgot" without really thinking. I am going to give this a little more thought and implement it somehow at least on an occassional basis.
After 13 years of teaching, I am sick and tired of "I don't get it." Before I read the book, I decided and announced to my class that they were not allowed to say this. They could say things like "I don't know this particular word in the direction" or "I am having trouble with the second step" or something that is specific to what they "don't get". I try to encourage them to be problem solvers and independent thinkers. Usually the ones who say this the most are those that are working on a higher level, and I've given something more challenging and thought provoking to them. When the answer doesn't come immediately, they come running to me for the answer.
My parents don't always agree with some of my philosophies. I have three children of my own, and I try to teach them the way I want my children to be taught. The ultimate goal is for them to be independent, responsible, problem solvers that welcome challenges, can fuction with a little failure now and then and ultimately become stronger and wiser.
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Parents are sometimes more interested in the grade rather than the knowledge. Students have not been allowed to fail and so they don't want to take a risk. It it isn't easy they don't want to attempt it.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you about the "I don't get it" statements. I stopped allowing that in my class as well. My response to that has always been - if you can't say what "it" is that you are not "getting" then I cannot possibly begin to answer the question of that level of depth to the utmost of my ability.
ReplyDeleteAfter that, they usually they just stare at me. :)
But sometimes they try to reword what they are trying to ask. And then I answer them.
The other phrases that I have banned from my classroom include (but are not limited to): when am I ever going to use this? Do I need to know this for the test? Do I have to write this down? And my personal favorite...are we going to do anything today?