Student Choice:

The focus of my final Capstone was on Student Choice!  Often times teachers hold on too tight and restrict their students with guidelines, rubrics, and instructions. However, magical things happen when you teach students the skills and provide them with an outlet to show their knowledge. They explore topics with a burning passion, produce projects they are proud of, and become leaders in their learning. Because of this, I want to explore student choice in my classroom. I will always be close for feedback, assistance, and instruction, but I want them to explore their learning with some freedom for themselves. A classroom is more than guidelines and rules; it is also unique as it is filled with amazing students with interests and ideas to share if they are given the room to. We always want students to be engaged in the content they are learning. By engaging students in work, they are focusing on they become more likely to care about and remember their learning. Schools are moving toward becoming places to explore and grow, not just sit at desks and learn off worksheets. Students need to learn critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration skills in order to be successful in their futures. If students are spending 8+ hours in school a day, it makes sense that their learning should be meaningful and something they care about. Otherwise, they will just discard their learning as soon as summer hits.

Growth Mindset: 

Too often, students feel they should be perfect the first time they try something or learn something new. While I was growing up I noticed I was a major perfectionist. This would often stress me out. All of my assignments and tests would come with additional stress as I worried about being able to get a high grade immediately, rather than the content I was learning. If students adopt a growth mindset, they will become skilled problem solvers and will not be afraid to take risks. We always want students to be improving.