Persistence is one of the 16 Habits of the Mind... but I think it is one of the most important. To persist means to keep trying... never give up... to keep working until the objective is accomplished.
When I give my students homework, I want them to practice persist. I tell them that they will always get a problem wrong that they don't do. What I praise the most and hold in highest esteem is persistence and hard work.
Persist is a character quality that can become a habit with practice, encouragement, effort and commitment.
I coached wrestling for years. I worked my wrestlers hard in practice and marveled at their effort, determination and persistence. Wrestlers are lousy quitters.
I want my students to become lousy quitters.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Day 30
Monday, December 30, 2013
Sunday, December 29, 2013
Gap
I keep revising my posters. A few weeks ago, I finally figured out the name of the Learning Skill I had been trying to teach my students for the past several weeks. I called it Intentional Precision. It is the set of behaviors, skills, habits, procedures and whatever else someone does to solve problems and know that they got the problem right. I routinely tell my students to get it right and know you got it right.
I think Intentional Precision is the sum of all the Behaviors of Intelligences(AKA Habits of the Mind from Lee Canter).
I have been wrestling with this for quite a while now and this make sense to me.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Day 29
I think Intentional Precision is the sum of all the Behaviors of Intelligences(AKA Habits of the Mind from Lee Canter).
I have been wrestling with this for quite a while now and this make sense to me.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Day 29
Foreman builds his last house story
This is a story I tell my students to show... well let's just save that for the end.
There was a wealthy businessman who owned a big construction company. This owner built lots of big fancy homes for rich people. He had 4 different foreman that each ran the building of a house for him, but Tom was by far the best foreman.
Tom showed up earlier to make sure everything was clean and ready. Tom would order the best materials and handpick the best when he personally bought them at a lumberyard. Tom would only hire subs that did excellent work and were trustworthy and responsible. Tom would sacrifice some of the profits to insure the quality of the work. Tom's houses would take a little longer to build than one of the other foreman's because Tom would have to wait for an excellent sub sometimes. Also Tom did all the finish work himself because he was a master craftsman. At the end of each day, Tom would clean up the site, inspect the work done that day and fix anything that needed fixing or call the sub to come back the next day and fix whatever needed fixing.
Tom took pride in each house. Tom wanted his houses to be the best. Tom's customers were always happy with their homes, although some got frustrated by the delays.
Years passed and Tom kept building awesome homes. Finally, 30 years had passed and Tom was ready to retire. His boss showed up one day as Tom was just finishing his last house. Everything was perfect. Tom made sure that all the work was perfect and only the best building materials had been used. His boss, the owner, walked through the house with Tom. No matter how many times they did this, at the end of a job, the owner was always very impressed with the quality of Tom's houses. Tom's houses were by far the best.
As they came back to the living room, Tom handed the owner the keys to the house and said, "Thank you for being such a wonderful boss. I've really enjoyed working for you all these years. You have treated me well and I am grateful. This is the last home I'm going to build for you. I'm getting old and I need to retire." Tom stuck out his hand to shake his boss's hand, but his boss pleaded, "No... no, Tom I need you to build me one more home. I have a very important client and you are my best foreman. Your houses are always the best. I need you to run this last job for me because this is such an important client. Please!??"
Tom did not want to run one more job. In his mind, he had decided that this was going to be his last job, but his boss kept pleading and even begging, so Tom finally gave in and agreed to run one last job.
Tom's heart was not in this last house. For the first time, Tom's focus was strictly on getting done. Tom didn't show up early to clean up, instead, Tom spent most of his time on the phone scheduling subs. He didn't care how much they cost or how good their work was. All Tom cared about was timing... could they show up right after a sub was done with their job? Tom wanted no down time. Tom wanted the house to be done as fast as possible. All of Tom's energies went into making that happen. Tom used cheaper quality materials and cut corners as often as possible, if it would help the house to get built faster. Tom didn't do the finish work himself because that would have taken too long. So, once again, Tom hired out the work to the sub that could get it done the fastest.
On the last day, the owner just happened to show up to check on the progress. Tom was not expecting him and in fact was embarrassed to see him. Tom had planned on leaving the keys under a rock by the front door and then texting the owner to let him know he was done and where the keys were. Tom was not proud of this house and the last person he wanted to see right now was his boss.
The owner was happy to see Tom, as always, and asked for a quick tour. Tom uncomfortably complied. The owner was very surprised with how much had already been accomplished and was shocked to find out that, in fact, the house had just been completed that day! But as they walked through each room, the owner noticed the low quality of materials and poor craftsmanship of the work. The owner strained to make positive comments as they walked through each room. This was simply awkward for both of them.
Finally, they were back in the living room where they had started. Tom, with his head facing down for the first time ever, handed the owner the keys and turned to leave. But his owner stopped Tom and with a grateful and heavy heart said, "You have been my best foreman all these years. I am so grateful for your integrity, responsibility and your pride in craftsmanship. My important client is YOU. The keys are yours." With this he put the keys back in Tom's hand, turned and walked out the door.
Tom was building his own home and he didn't even know it!
I tell my students that they are building the house that they will live in right now. Their house is made up of their character qualities, choices and decisions, beliefs and relationships. I encourage and challenge them to be thoughtful about the kind of house they are building.
We are not made of cement, steel, wood and glass... but we are each made of flesh and blood and we can change.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Day 28
There was a wealthy businessman who owned a big construction company. This owner built lots of big fancy homes for rich people. He had 4 different foreman that each ran the building of a house for him, but Tom was by far the best foreman.
Tom showed up earlier to make sure everything was clean and ready. Tom would order the best materials and handpick the best when he personally bought them at a lumberyard. Tom would only hire subs that did excellent work and were trustworthy and responsible. Tom would sacrifice some of the profits to insure the quality of the work. Tom's houses would take a little longer to build than one of the other foreman's because Tom would have to wait for an excellent sub sometimes. Also Tom did all the finish work himself because he was a master craftsman. At the end of each day, Tom would clean up the site, inspect the work done that day and fix anything that needed fixing or call the sub to come back the next day and fix whatever needed fixing.
Tom took pride in each house. Tom wanted his houses to be the best. Tom's customers were always happy with their homes, although some got frustrated by the delays.
Years passed and Tom kept building awesome homes. Finally, 30 years had passed and Tom was ready to retire. His boss showed up one day as Tom was just finishing his last house. Everything was perfect. Tom made sure that all the work was perfect and only the best building materials had been used. His boss, the owner, walked through the house with Tom. No matter how many times they did this, at the end of a job, the owner was always very impressed with the quality of Tom's houses. Tom's houses were by far the best.
As they came back to the living room, Tom handed the owner the keys to the house and said, "Thank you for being such a wonderful boss. I've really enjoyed working for you all these years. You have treated me well and I am grateful. This is the last home I'm going to build for you. I'm getting old and I need to retire." Tom stuck out his hand to shake his boss's hand, but his boss pleaded, "No... no, Tom I need you to build me one more home. I have a very important client and you are my best foreman. Your houses are always the best. I need you to run this last job for me because this is such an important client. Please!??"
Tom did not want to run one more job. In his mind, he had decided that this was going to be his last job, but his boss kept pleading and even begging, so Tom finally gave in and agreed to run one last job.
Tom's heart was not in this last house. For the first time, Tom's focus was strictly on getting done. Tom didn't show up early to clean up, instead, Tom spent most of his time on the phone scheduling subs. He didn't care how much they cost or how good their work was. All Tom cared about was timing... could they show up right after a sub was done with their job? Tom wanted no down time. Tom wanted the house to be done as fast as possible. All of Tom's energies went into making that happen. Tom used cheaper quality materials and cut corners as often as possible, if it would help the house to get built faster. Tom didn't do the finish work himself because that would have taken too long. So, once again, Tom hired out the work to the sub that could get it done the fastest.
On the last day, the owner just happened to show up to check on the progress. Tom was not expecting him and in fact was embarrassed to see him. Tom had planned on leaving the keys under a rock by the front door and then texting the owner to let him know he was done and where the keys were. Tom was not proud of this house and the last person he wanted to see right now was his boss.
The owner was happy to see Tom, as always, and asked for a quick tour. Tom uncomfortably complied. The owner was very surprised with how much had already been accomplished and was shocked to find out that, in fact, the house had just been completed that day! But as they walked through each room, the owner noticed the low quality of materials and poor craftsmanship of the work. The owner strained to make positive comments as they walked through each room. This was simply awkward for both of them.
Finally, they were back in the living room where they had started. Tom, with his head facing down for the first time ever, handed the owner the keys and turned to leave. But his owner stopped Tom and with a grateful and heavy heart said, "You have been my best foreman all these years. I am so grateful for your integrity, responsibility and your pride in craftsmanship. My important client is YOU. The keys are yours." With this he put the keys back in Tom's hand, turned and walked out the door.
Tom was building his own home and he didn't even know it!
I tell my students that they are building the house that they will live in right now. Their house is made up of their character qualities, choices and decisions, beliefs and relationships. I encourage and challenge them to be thoughtful about the kind of house they are building.
We are not made of cement, steel, wood and glass... but we are each made of flesh and blood and we can change.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Day 28
Friday, December 27, 2013
Phone Home
I started having students call home whenever they had missing homework a long time ago. This did not seem to have much of an affect on homework completion. A few years ago, I took this up a few notches. I now have my students call home on speaker phone.
The first year I did this, the first time a student had to call... it was AWESOME!!!
It took a couple of weeks until I got my first volunteer. I can't remember her name, but I remember it was third period and she sat in the third seat of the fourth row. I was walking around checking my student's homework as they were doing the warm up problems at the beginning of class. When I got to (I'll call her) Sally, she didn't have hers. I told her she needed to call home on speaker phone. She told me that her mother had just gotten out of the hospital last night and that was why she wasn't able to get her homework completed. I asked how her mom was doing and she told me she was doing fine.
Then, to her horror, I told her again to call home on speaker phone. You see, I tell my students that there is NO EXCUSE for not having their homework done. I have heard and read lots of good ones. I will not decide which are good and not good enough. Missing homework is a zero and a phone call.
Well, she walked over to the phone and pushed the speaker button and then we all heard her dial the numbers. It rang a few times and then her mom answered. Sally quickly told her mom she was calling on speaker phone from my class. Everyone was listening... I MEAN REALLY LISTENING!
Then Sally explained why she was calling and her mom went into a firm little lecture on the importance of doing homework. The mom told Sally she was very disappointed. The mom reminded Sally that this was a problem last year and hoped that this would not be a problem this year. The mom reminded Sally that she had asked her last night if Sally had any homework and that Sally had told her,"No."
During that time, ALL OF MY STUDENTS HAD THEIR HEADS DOWN. There was such a thick sense of, I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME, in the class... you could taste it.
The word vicarious was being defined to each student. After the phone call, I asked the class what the word vicarious meant. I explained what the word meant and everyone understood. It was powerful!!
I had students talking about it as they came in to my classes later in the day. I had teachers asking me about it days and weeks later. A few weeks later, during Open House, I was explaining my homework policy to my parents. As I was describing the events of that first phone call to my parents of my 3rd period class, I noticed a mom smiling an unusual way. I gave her my full attention and she announced to everyone that she was the mom. I TOLD HER THAT SHE DID GREAT!! Everyone agreed and all thanked me for the policy!
Months later, I was told by my principal that I had to drop the speaker calling from my homework policy. I asked, "Why?" The principal told me that she had received 3 complaints that day from different parents. I asked her to tell me what they were.
Complaint #1 "My child is embarrassed when calling home on speaker phone." I told my principal that the student should do her homework and then there wouldn't be any embarrassment... my principal agreed.
Complaint #2 "My child is embarrassed when everyone listens to us talking on speaker phone during class and frankly I don't like it either." I told my principal that the parent should not carry on a conversation with their child on speaker in my class. I told her that the parent should simply say, "OK, we'll talk when you get home." I told my principal that I coached my students about this and encouraged them to have a conversation with their parents about this. I always remind my students to tell their parents that they are talking on speaker phone. My principal agreed.
Complaint #3 " I am concerned that my child will listen to a parent swear at their child, over the speaker, during one of these conversations." I had nothing... then I asked if it was OK if the student turned off the speaker phone after the introductions... she agreed.
That is where my policy is now. I think it is very important for parents to know when their student is not getting their work done. I leave all discipline about this up to the parents. The speaker phone is necessary because many students will fake like they are calling home or will simply call a wrong number. The speaker phone removes all doubt and trickiness.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"
Day 27
The first year I did this, the first time a student had to call... it was AWESOME!!!
It took a couple of weeks until I got my first volunteer. I can't remember her name, but I remember it was third period and she sat in the third seat of the fourth row. I was walking around checking my student's homework as they were doing the warm up problems at the beginning of class. When I got to (I'll call her) Sally, she didn't have hers. I told her she needed to call home on speaker phone. She told me that her mother had just gotten out of the hospital last night and that was why she wasn't able to get her homework completed. I asked how her mom was doing and she told me she was doing fine.
Then, to her horror, I told her again to call home on speaker phone. You see, I tell my students that there is NO EXCUSE for not having their homework done. I have heard and read lots of good ones. I will not decide which are good and not good enough. Missing homework is a zero and a phone call.
Well, she walked over to the phone and pushed the speaker button and then we all heard her dial the numbers. It rang a few times and then her mom answered. Sally quickly told her mom she was calling on speaker phone from my class. Everyone was listening... I MEAN REALLY LISTENING!
Then Sally explained why she was calling and her mom went into a firm little lecture on the importance of doing homework. The mom told Sally she was very disappointed. The mom reminded Sally that this was a problem last year and hoped that this would not be a problem this year. The mom reminded Sally that she had asked her last night if Sally had any homework and that Sally had told her,"No."
During that time, ALL OF MY STUDENTS HAD THEIR HEADS DOWN. There was such a thick sense of, I DO NOT WANT THIS TO HAPPEN TO ME, in the class... you could taste it.
The word vicarious was being defined to each student. After the phone call, I asked the class what the word vicarious meant. I explained what the word meant and everyone understood. It was powerful!!
I had students talking about it as they came in to my classes later in the day. I had teachers asking me about it days and weeks later. A few weeks later, during Open House, I was explaining my homework policy to my parents. As I was describing the events of that first phone call to my parents of my 3rd period class, I noticed a mom smiling an unusual way. I gave her my full attention and she announced to everyone that she was the mom. I TOLD HER THAT SHE DID GREAT!! Everyone agreed and all thanked me for the policy!
Months later, I was told by my principal that I had to drop the speaker calling from my homework policy. I asked, "Why?" The principal told me that she had received 3 complaints that day from different parents. I asked her to tell me what they were.
Complaint #1 "My child is embarrassed when calling home on speaker phone." I told my principal that the student should do her homework and then there wouldn't be any embarrassment... my principal agreed.
Complaint #2 "My child is embarrassed when everyone listens to us talking on speaker phone during class and frankly I don't like it either." I told my principal that the parent should not carry on a conversation with their child on speaker in my class. I told her that the parent should simply say, "OK, we'll talk when you get home." I told my principal that I coached my students about this and encouraged them to have a conversation with their parents about this. I always remind my students to tell their parents that they are talking on speaker phone. My principal agreed.
Complaint #3 " I am concerned that my child will listen to a parent swear at their child, over the speaker, during one of these conversations." I had nothing... then I asked if it was OK if the student turned off the speaker phone after the introductions... she agreed.
That is where my policy is now. I think it is very important for parents to know when their student is not getting their work done. I leave all discipline about this up to the parents. The speaker phone is necessary because many students will fake like they are calling home or will simply call a wrong number. The speaker phone removes all doubt and trickiness.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!"
Day 27
Thursday, December 26, 2013
Wiping
I often use stories or analogies to make a point and/or entertain. I use this analogy early in the year to make points about doing homework and double checking your work.
I am talking to my students:
When you were each a new born baby, your parents had to wipe your rear and change your diaper every time you went poop. As you got older and were 2 years old, they still had to wipe your rear and change your diaper every time you went poop.
Then you got to the age where you started pooping in a little potty training toilet, but your parents still had to wiped your rear for you.
Then you got to the stage where you pooped on your own and even wiped your own rear, but when you came out of the bathroom, your parents asked you if you had 'finished your job?" This means 2 things.
First, it means, did you double check to make sure that you finished doing all the wiping you needed to do? My students are always repulsed by this analogy, but I haven't found a better one to make these two points. When I see students struggling with not double checking their work, I ask them, "Did you finish wiping? I mean, if you didn't, you should feel that unmistakable icky squishy feeling." Now my students are totally grossed out and smiling.
Second, it means, did you do what you knew how to do and were suppose to do? Did you do your job and did you do it well? I'll ask the student, who doesn't have their homework, in front of everyone(I will only do this publicly to a student I know will handle this well), "When you came out of the bathroom this morning, did your parents ask you if you wiped?" They will respond incredulously, "NO!" I explain, of course not, because this is a responsibility you took over years ago and to talk about it now, feels really weird. I'll go over the steps to potty training. Then I'll say: "When you don't do your homework, it feels like I'm a parent of a little kid that has forgotten to wipe."
Every body laughs, even the student I've put on the spot. I've made my point.
The next time someone doesn't do their homework or fails to double check their work, I'll have the students say, "YOU FORGOT TO WIPE!", to their classmate. Everyone will laugh, but everyone gets it and I have few problems with my students getting their homework done or understanding the importance of double checking. Some times, I even have the student I put on the spot come in to class and announce to everyone, that THEY WIPED LAST NIGHT! We all laugh.
Be responsible. Do your job. Be responsible. Double check your work.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Day 26
I am talking to my students:
When you were each a new born baby, your parents had to wipe your rear and change your diaper every time you went poop. As you got older and were 2 years old, they still had to wipe your rear and change your diaper every time you went poop.
Then you got to the age where you started pooping in a little potty training toilet, but your parents still had to wiped your rear for you.
Then you got to the stage where you pooped on your own and even wiped your own rear, but when you came out of the bathroom, your parents asked you if you had 'finished your job?" This means 2 things.
First, it means, did you double check to make sure that you finished doing all the wiping you needed to do? My students are always repulsed by this analogy, but I haven't found a better one to make these two points. When I see students struggling with not double checking their work, I ask them, "Did you finish wiping? I mean, if you didn't, you should feel that unmistakable icky squishy feeling." Now my students are totally grossed out and smiling.
Second, it means, did you do what you knew how to do and were suppose to do? Did you do your job and did you do it well? I'll ask the student, who doesn't have their homework, in front of everyone(I will only do this publicly to a student I know will handle this well), "When you came out of the bathroom this morning, did your parents ask you if you wiped?" They will respond incredulously, "NO!" I explain, of course not, because this is a responsibility you took over years ago and to talk about it now, feels really weird. I'll go over the steps to potty training. Then I'll say: "When you don't do your homework, it feels like I'm a parent of a little kid that has forgotten to wipe."
Every body laughs, even the student I've put on the spot. I've made my point.
The next time someone doesn't do their homework or fails to double check their work, I'll have the students say, "YOU FORGOT TO WIPE!", to their classmate. Everyone will laugh, but everyone gets it and I have few problems with my students getting their homework done or understanding the importance of double checking. Some times, I even have the student I put on the spot come in to class and announce to everyone, that THEY WIPED LAST NIGHT! We all laugh.
Be responsible. Do your job. Be responsible. Double check your work.
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Day 26
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
Merry Christmas
About 2000 years ago, a little baby boy was born. Angels heralded His birth. Prophecies were fulfilled.
He grew to become a man. His first miracle was turning water to wine. He healed the blind with a word. By a touch of love, He healed people covered with leprosy. He healed the lame and paralytic. He healed the demon possessed. He raised the dead. He fed 5000 men with 5 small loaves and 2 small fish and there were 12 basketful of left overs. He walked on water. He calmed the wind and the waves with a command. He healed a man with a shriveled hand. He healed many people spiritually by forgiving them of their sins.
He was not just a good person or a great teacher.
He claimed to be the SON of GOD.
He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father but by ME."
He is a person of history. Jesus did walk on this Earth.
He was either a liar, lunatic or He is LORD.
These miracles where witnessed by 100s and 1000s of people.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not parish, but will have everlasting life."
Jesus said, "I have come to give life and to give it abundantly."
This abundant, eternal life starts at salvation.
"Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD." The question is when and where will yours? Will it be now in gratefulness and repentance, thanking Jesus for saving you from your sins and giving you eternal life? Will it be at judgment, in shame and horror, realizing that you are too late and your pride has eternally separated you from the love of GOD?
God loves you. This is the first and most important relationship that any person can have, a relationship with Jesus. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son.
I need God's love, grace, power and forgiveness flowing through me, so that I can love others.
Jesus summed up all the commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, souls, mind and strength. Love you neighbor as yourself."
On this precious Christmas morning, I simply pray that anyone who reads this will come to a saving, loving, growing, empowering knowledge of God's Love for us.
I want to love my students, friends, family, strangers and even my enemies. I know I can't do this in my own strength. I know I will fail even with God's help because I still struggle with my selfishness and pride. I am so thankful for God's love, forgiveness, grace, peace and patience. The abundant life that GOD gives is found in loving HIM and through HIS love, loving and serving others.
So Merry Christmas!!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Day 25
He grew to become a man. His first miracle was turning water to wine. He healed the blind with a word. By a touch of love, He healed people covered with leprosy. He healed the lame and paralytic. He healed the demon possessed. He raised the dead. He fed 5000 men with 5 small loaves and 2 small fish and there were 12 basketful of left overs. He walked on water. He calmed the wind and the waves with a command. He healed a man with a shriveled hand. He healed many people spiritually by forgiving them of their sins.
He was not just a good person or a great teacher.
He claimed to be the SON of GOD.
He said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes unto the Father but by ME."
He is a person of history. Jesus did walk on this Earth.
He was either a liar, lunatic or He is LORD.
These miracles where witnessed by 100s and 1000s of people.
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him, will not parish, but will have everlasting life."
Jesus said, "I have come to give life and to give it abundantly."
This abundant, eternal life starts at salvation.
"Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is LORD." The question is when and where will yours? Will it be now in gratefulness and repentance, thanking Jesus for saving you from your sins and giving you eternal life? Will it be at judgment, in shame and horror, realizing that you are too late and your pride has eternally separated you from the love of GOD?
God loves you. This is the first and most important relationship that any person can have, a relationship with Jesus. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ His Son.
I need God's love, grace, power and forgiveness flowing through me, so that I can love others.
Jesus summed up all the commandments: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, souls, mind and strength. Love you neighbor as yourself."
On this precious Christmas morning, I simply pray that anyone who reads this will come to a saving, loving, growing, empowering knowledge of God's Love for us.
I want to love my students, friends, family, strangers and even my enemies. I know I can't do this in my own strength. I know I will fail even with God's help because I still struggle with my selfishness and pride. I am so thankful for God's love, forgiveness, grace, peace and patience. The abundant life that GOD gives is found in loving HIM and through HIS love, loving and serving others.
So Merry Christmas!!
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Day 25
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Be right and know you're right
There are lots of things I am always saying to my kids. I guess whatever is important, I will repeatedly say.
One of my sayings, that caught one of my student's attention enough to make a poster of it was: "I want you to be right and know that you are right." I have a student that made me this poster. I will be putting it up on my side wall. This is the wall for all my important sayings.
I believe the most important Behavior of Intelligence is Passionately Striving for Accuracy. I believe all other Habits of the Mind(see Lee Canter's Habits of the Mind) are dependent on and affected by this one(see Posters). Another Habit of the Mind is Flexibility. One definition of Flexibility is, doing the problem more than one way. I often show my students how to do a problem more than one way. This allows them to do a problem multiple ways, knowing that if the same answer is arrived at, the student can have more confidence that their answer is correct. I want them to be right and know that they are right.
A student can not be impulsive and flexible at the same time. Many students simply want to get done when they are doing their homework. I want all of my students to take the problems in their homework seriously. I want them to practice with a strong desire to get the problems correct and be willing to do more than they need to do, to make sure they are correct. I DO NOT WANT MY STUDENTS TO PRACTICE BEING SLOBS!!! I tell them that if they spend 12 years practicing like a slob, they will probably end up being a slob. This requires each student to demonstrate Flexibility, Manage Impulsivity and Passionately Striving for Accuracy... to name 3 Habits of the Mind.
I believe the most important Learning Skill(see Posters) is Intentional Precision. I believe that this skills is foundational to all other learning skills... just like Passionately Striving for Accuracy is foundational to all other Habits of the Mind. Here is where the successful student's habit of passionately striving for accuracy shows up as a skill. This skill enables students to develop habits, routines, systems, procedures, .... whatever it takes to be right and know they are right. This is such a HUGE skill.
Once a student is at the place of believing they can learn and wanting to learn, this is the biggest habit and skill I think my students need to develop. I see it all the time. I see students that learn the material and still get problems wrong. I know I need to teach my student more than understanding a concept. I need to teach them how to algebraically solve the problem. I also need to teach them Intentional Precision as they are practicing their homework, so they practice getting the problems right and knowing that they are right.
This is an entire, belief system, desire system, emotional system, commitment system, skill system and habit system. Once a student gets here, they are ROCK STARS!! I want to do all I can to help my students get to this place. I WANT ALL OF MY STUDENTS TO PRACTICE BEING RIGHT AND KNOWING THAT THEY ARE RIGHT.
I've heard it said, "You are what you eat!" I say, "You are what you practice!"
For example, when I teach my students how to solve equations, I also teach them how to check their work. I require my students to be able to solve the problem, then double check by substituting their answer in for the variable and simplify to make sure their answer is correct. They need to finish with a SMILEY FACE, showing me that they are right and they know they are right.
Practice doesn't make you perfect... but perfect practice sure gets you closer.
'I can teach all students through Christ who strengthens me.'
Day 24
One of my sayings, that caught one of my student's attention enough to make a poster of it was: "I want you to be right and know that you are right." I have a student that made me this poster. I will be putting it up on my side wall. This is the wall for all my important sayings.
I believe the most important Behavior of Intelligence is Passionately Striving for Accuracy. I believe all other Habits of the Mind(see Lee Canter's Habits of the Mind) are dependent on and affected by this one(see Posters). Another Habit of the Mind is Flexibility. One definition of Flexibility is, doing the problem more than one way. I often show my students how to do a problem more than one way. This allows them to do a problem multiple ways, knowing that if the same answer is arrived at, the student can have more confidence that their answer is correct. I want them to be right and know that they are right.
A student can not be impulsive and flexible at the same time. Many students simply want to get done when they are doing their homework. I want all of my students to take the problems in their homework seriously. I want them to practice with a strong desire to get the problems correct and be willing to do more than they need to do, to make sure they are correct. I DO NOT WANT MY STUDENTS TO PRACTICE BEING SLOBS!!! I tell them that if they spend 12 years practicing like a slob, they will probably end up being a slob. This requires each student to demonstrate Flexibility, Manage Impulsivity and Passionately Striving for Accuracy... to name 3 Habits of the Mind.
I believe the most important Learning Skill(see Posters) is Intentional Precision. I believe that this skills is foundational to all other learning skills... just like Passionately Striving for Accuracy is foundational to all other Habits of the Mind. Here is where the successful student's habit of passionately striving for accuracy shows up as a skill. This skill enables students to develop habits, routines, systems, procedures, .... whatever it takes to be right and know they are right. This is such a HUGE skill.
Once a student is at the place of believing they can learn and wanting to learn, this is the biggest habit and skill I think my students need to develop. I see it all the time. I see students that learn the material and still get problems wrong. I know I need to teach my student more than understanding a concept. I need to teach them how to algebraically solve the problem. I also need to teach them Intentional Precision as they are practicing their homework, so they practice getting the problems right and knowing that they are right.
This is an entire, belief system, desire system, emotional system, commitment system, skill system and habit system. Once a student gets here, they are ROCK STARS!! I want to do all I can to help my students get to this place. I WANT ALL OF MY STUDENTS TO PRACTICE BEING RIGHT AND KNOWING THAT THEY ARE RIGHT.
I've heard it said, "You are what you eat!" I say, "You are what you practice!"
For example, when I teach my students how to solve equations, I also teach them how to check their work. I require my students to be able to solve the problem, then double check by substituting their answer in for the variable and simplify to make sure their answer is correct. They need to finish with a SMILEY FACE, showing me that they are right and they know they are right.
Practice doesn't make you perfect... but perfect practice sure gets you closer.
'I can teach all students through Christ who strengthens me.'
Day 24
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