We are using the Here's What (I tried).... So What (Happened....) and Now What? ('s the Next Steps...) reflection routine. I decided to focus on student-teacher interactions for my action.
Here's What (I Tried)....
On page 225 of the book, Ritchhart outlines possible actions to try in the classroom for the cultural force, interactions. I decided to "survey my students." Ritchhart references the work of Cushman and Rogers (2013). Cushman and Rogers surveyed students and wrote the books detailing the survey results: Fires in the Middle School Classroom: Advice for Teachers from Middle School and Fires in the Bathroom: Advice for Teachers from High School Students. I decided to read the middle school book. After reading the book, I felt compelled to really try and build in time to actually ask my students questions and listen to their voices. I think we get so rushed with trying to "cover curriculum" that we forget this very important facet of teaching and learning. I refer back often to James Comer's quote: "No significant learning can happen without a significant relationship." I created "W is for Wish: I Wish My Teacher Knew...." surveys. I also considered the Denver teacher who asks his 3rd grade students every year to complete the sentence: "I wish my teacher knew....." The types of questions/fill in the blanks I asked my students are as follows:
- I wish my teacher knew....
- I feel happy when my teacher....
- I feel sad when my teacher....
- I wish my teacher would help me....
- Making friends is....
- I feel safe at school (Yes, No) Explain....
- At school, I wish....
- I learn best when....
- Something I love about our class community is....
- Something I wish I could change about our class community is....
- I generally feel (circle) :) :- :(
- Other things I wish my teacher knew about me.....
So What (happened)....
When I first created this survey I was thinking in my mind that I knew all the answers already. I was really surprised! I learned about students who have anger issues built in deep. I learned about students' insecurities about certain subjects like math or reading. I learned about students who don't feel safe at school and why - mostly due to student-student interactions. I learned what distracts students. I learned about friendships and how easy or difficult it is to make friends. I learned students feel happy when I'm in a good mood (can they tell when I'm not??). I learned that students are sad because of a parent who yells at them a lot. How often do we truly sit down and ask our students some of these things?
"If you can make a positive relationship with a student, you can teach them darn near anything."
Teacher-student relationships lie at the heart of what we do. We must take the time to listen.....
Now What ('s next)....
I was so inspired by this dialogue with students that I decided to create "I Wish My Teacher Knew...." journals as way to facilitate an ongoing conversation with my students. At any time, students can choose to write in their journal and drop it in my box and I will write back. I look forward to having this tool for facilitating ongoing student-teacher interactions.