About Students

student | noun | stu · dent

; more than a standardized test, all smart, all insightful, active collaborators, words and ideas extremely valuable, work extremely valuable, engaged with the topic at hand, well-represented, growing

synonyms: world-changers

"We must credit the child with enormous potential and the child must feel that trust. The teacher must give up all his pre-conceived notions and accept the child as a co-constructor."

-Loris Malaguzzi

I believe that students are ALL smart, and ALL insightful. We do a dishonor to students if we think that something might be "too hard" for them. Students are capable. I want to work to ensure that all my students know that they are smart and capable. That they are all unique and have their own strengths. I am to do so by using positive, asset-based thinking language and to scaffold learning for their needs. Students need to be given opportunities to see their capabilities with the intentional opportunities and experiences that we provide them with. I want to work towards empowering my students as learners; that they are all smart and have a lot of knowledge. I use intentional phrases like "teachers", "learners", "readers" "scientists" and "artists" to further that identity.

I believe that students should active collaborators with the content and co-constructors of the learning and topics. This is THEIR classroom as well. It should reflect that. I believe that a classroom should scream "student" when you look at it! It shows how much we truly value the student. Having mass-produced posters from companies is not personal to students or meaningful to their learning. We empower students. We show that we trust them and that they are capable. If students are collaborators with the content that they are learning, it provides meaningful learning and ownership. It also displays their understanding and their capabilities.

I believe that students words and observations should be valued. A way that I make sure to do this, is to document it. That could mean writing student observations about something they saw on an anchor chart, word for word. Or it could mean that they are simply given the opportunity to write down their observations and their thoughts. We show students that their words are valued and that their thinking is impactful and important!

I believe that students should be engaged with the topic at hand. Learning should be real, and meaningful to them. I believe that students deserve more than just completing a worksheet for a standard. They should be fully immersed in experiences that provide for meaningful learning and involvement. Our students being engaged with the topic provides for better assertation of information and knowledge as well. Learning should not be so stand-still and traditional!

I believe that student work should be extremely valued (and is extremely valuable) We can tell if a teacher values their students work if it is visible around the classroom-if there is evidence of student work. We send the message that their craft is more important than a pre-made poster. Their work is worthy of being up on their classroom walls--and this is the message that it sends.

I believe that students are always growing. We must understand that students will not have everything figured out. They will make mistakes. They will not know the answer. They won't get everything right away. But, that is part of learning. That is part of growing. Students must know the power of YET. They must know that it is okay.