“If the long term goal for all k-12 educators is to engage students no matter their age, no matter their abilities or disabilities, no matter their socio-economic status, or race or even their personality, then some soul searching and creative thinking is needed. The question of whether we treat all children with the same level of expectation, support, and encouragement, must be answered. It is not a classroom-only question; it is a leadership question as well.” This article explores the need for student engagement in order for learning to occur.Source:
Jill Berkowicz and Ann Meyers, Education Week, June 9, 2016Description:
Before growth and achievement can occur, we must master engagement. When students enter their early years in school, they come up against their first comparative failures. They are asked to accomplish something. They may not be able to grasp what they are being asked to do, or they do it less well or less quickly than the child sitting next to them. They know it. They see the reinforcement for the other child and the rewards for success. For a few perhaps that is motivational to try harder but for many disengagement and disappointment begin. Their paper does not go up on the wall. Their work does not get the coveted check mark, or whatever indicator that teacher uses for praise. Many years ago there was a movement to allow every child to “win”, praise everyone, put all papers up on the wall. We have seen that empty praise has failed to have any effect in encouraging students, or adults, to do anything. Even children know sincerity.Read the full article here!