Thinking about Katie's previous post made me stop and think about conversations I have had recently with my own students. I teach middle schoolers who love to chat with one another but I am thrilled when they actually want to talk to me! My recently redesigned classroom encourages conversation and collaboration where I hope small ideas will be created.
Last week, as we were wrapping up group presentations, I had one particular student sit next to me in this newly designed space. He's usually the first one in my class and on the computer right way making stuff, but instead he was next to me so I could tell he wanted to talk. I sparked the conversation by asking him what programs he liked working with best this year...we wrote down a list of things that were important to learn for both Digital I and Digital II (classes I teach). I asked him, "What programs could we use for our new poster printer and what could we create?". He got on the desktop and started tinkering with some different logo design programs. As our conversation developed, he suggested making posters for the teachers in our building. The students role would be acting as hired graphic designers who would interview teachers, collect data, and design posters that would represent their subjects they teach. The energy flowing between us and our conversation was on fire! The possibilities starting feeling endless now... As I reflect on this, as a teacher I see the importance of conversation. The act of taking a moment and recognizing a students need for conversation is what opened doors for me. As I give over control of planning on my own, it opens doors for conversations that ignite fire and possibilities. -Kacey
11 Comments
6/10/2017 11:00:06 am
This is a great example of letting the students drive the work. And they are doing legitimate, authentic work.
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Kacey
6/11/2017 05:26:51 pm
Thanks! I will definitely share the posters as they are being created.
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6/11/2017 06:58:57 am
I love these conversations with middle schoolers. They have so much to offer, when we stop and listen!
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6/11/2017 07:46:54 am
Kacey, your conversation is a great example of how great teacher/student relationships bring about increased energy during conversations. I love the thought that doors for conversations ignite fire and possibilities and open doors for creative thoughts.
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Kacey
6/11/2017 05:28:29 pm
Thanks Carol, I can't even describe it in words the smiles and happiness the student and I had shared during this short conversation!
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Kacey
6/11/2017 05:25:58 pm
Thanks! I'm looking forward to conversations that will soon take place in this newly created environment!
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