DEEP THOUGHTS
Philosophy of Teaching and Learning... and Stuff
Teaching and parenting are both like a hiking adventure that always has a new destination. Reaching a horizon or a milestone reveals more rolling hills or more unexplored landscape. So, I feel some fear when opening my mouth and starting a sentence with "my philosophy of education is", because I do not know if I can ever reach the point of truly "walking the talk". In spite of that, I will go out on a limb and share some philosophy. Please pardon me for the randomness of my thoughts on what's important and helpful for learning.
THE THREE QUESTIONS
There is so much to learn today as a child (and as an adult). What's most important? In the classroom, the first essential job is to make sure everyone is safe and welcome to speak, learn, and play. The second essential job for all of us in our classroom is just as important as math, reading, science, or social studies. That job is to be a good person. The Three Questions by Jon Muth is one story I use to explain how that works. I read it annually during the first week of school.
LEARNING NEVER STOPS
A long time ago, I took a trip to Chicago and spent the day at the school of the late great teacher, Marva Collins. She was someone who really walked her talk. Long before my visit. she had begun her well earned retirement. Her daughter, Cynthia, ran the school. Her son, Patrick, lead teacher workshops. I learned awesome things there such as solid phonics instructions for reading, daily demonstration to students that you believe in them, and challenging curriculum for all students. Meanwhile I knew I would not become a teacher exactly like Mrs. Collins. It helped me to remember that teachers and students never stop learning. Parents, coaches, kids, and even my cousin who knows feng shui have taught me about teaching. For example, when my boys played youth sports I liked watching their coaches during practices. Seeing how a good coach breaks down complicated moves into small steps is a cool thing. Learning happens everywhere. Cooking in the kitchen has taught me about teaching. Playing cards with family has taught me about teaching.
So, I want students to know that when you are open to it, your learning will never stop. 💫
I teach students the meaning of an old expression,
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do."
I explain that phrase doesn't mean bowing to the power of an empire. It means, if you are in an unfamiliar place or situation, watch what the locals do. It can mean thinking like this.
"Hmm, that kid appears at home with this. I can watch them and maybe even ask them a question."
I want my students to know they will learn not just from stuff the teacher says. They learn also from listening to their classmates and watching their classmates.
INGREDIENTS
Above I mentioned cooking. Getting to know new ingredients and how to combine them has made my cooking more enjoyable and more edible. Meanwhile, these key are some key ingredients in my classroom.
WE ALL HAVE FIVE BASIC NEEDS
Fear is something everyone wrestles with sometime in the classroom, and fear makes us not open to learning. I remember a student who said several times during guided reading group, "I don't want to do this! I already know how to read!" Coming out sideways, he was informing me he had a lot that scared him. He needed help with fears just as much as he needed help with the long vowels and open syllables.
Understanding five basic needs that all people have helps kids deal with fear, recognize their choices, and sometimes even improve their choices. We do not always make logical choices, we do not always make good choices, but we don't do stuff for no reason.
When talking with children about what they basically need, it is easier to speak about different ways to get what they need and easier to explain that, "You can't always get what you want, but you can get what you need."
These five needs that fit on your five fingers are easier for kids to understand than Maslow's hierarchy of needs.
WHAT ARE EIGHT AND NINE YEAR OLDS LIKE?
When my first son was due to be born, I should have read more from the book, What to Expect When You're Expecting. Well, from there on out all parents wonder what to expect next for their children. Right? Yardsticks by Chip Wood is a good old book that helps parents know what may be next in the development of their children. I leave you with two links below for descriptions from Yardsticks of what eight and nine year-olds often do and what they often need.
Thank you for hanging out here and reading this.
Maybe we continue this conversation when we meet.
Be well. 🙂
