...but two and a half chapters in, and I'm loving Learn Like a Pirate by Paul Solarz. Paul's teaching style feels like a more honed version of what I've been trying to do this year. In the beginning of chapter three, I read something that was so perfect that it seemed obvious. I love these moments. They're the moments where the pros make things look easy.
Paul introduces the idea of "Give me five!" Only, he doesn't introduce it. We've all done it. Give me five! Clap, clap, clapclapclap! Five, four, threeeee, twooooo, oneeeee, why isn't anyone listening to me? The problem is, of course, the teacher's just interrupting us again. What Paul introduced is the idea that everyone in his class has the power to interrupt work time by calling out, "Give me five!" His students turn and ask what's up, they share whatever it is, and class moves on from there. But what he's really doing is communicating SO MUCH respect to his students. You are important enough, this policy tells the kids, to use your voice. That's been my big soapbox this year, amplify and empower your students' voices. And this sounded so simple.
I know it's at this point that I'm supposed to use the word, "but", but I don't have one. We tried it today. It was awesome. My cue is, "Hey everybody!" and everyone turns around and says, "Yes, Doctor?" (see What If Wednesday (another tip to Paul) for the reason I'm the Doctor in class). I told the kids they're allowed to do it today. If Lucas doesn't know how to spell something, he doesn't have to waste time trying to figure it out anymore. "Hey Everybody!" "Yes Lucas?" "How do you spell Atlanta?" "Capital A-t-l-a-n-t-a." "Thank you."
Did they overdo it occasionally? Sure. Of course they did, a little, but for the first day, they totally got it, and you could tell that it felt special to them. It was an amazing thing that cost me absolutely nothing. So thank you to my amazing kids, and thank you to Paul Solarz, for making my classroom that much better. I can't wait to read the rest of the book!
Paul introduces the idea of "Give me five!" Only, he doesn't introduce it. We've all done it. Give me five! Clap, clap, clapclapclap! Five, four, threeeee, twooooo, oneeeee, why isn't anyone listening to me? The problem is, of course, the teacher's just interrupting us again. What Paul introduced is the idea that everyone in his class has the power to interrupt work time by calling out, "Give me five!" His students turn and ask what's up, they share whatever it is, and class moves on from there. But what he's really doing is communicating SO MUCH respect to his students. You are important enough, this policy tells the kids, to use your voice. That's been my big soapbox this year, amplify and empower your students' voices. And this sounded so simple.
I know it's at this point that I'm supposed to use the word, "but", but I don't have one. We tried it today. It was awesome. My cue is, "Hey everybody!" and everyone turns around and says, "Yes, Doctor?" (see What If Wednesday (another tip to Paul) for the reason I'm the Doctor in class). I told the kids they're allowed to do it today. If Lucas doesn't know how to spell something, he doesn't have to waste time trying to figure it out anymore. "Hey Everybody!" "Yes Lucas?" "How do you spell Atlanta?" "Capital A-t-l-a-n-t-a." "Thank you."
Did they overdo it occasionally? Sure. Of course they did, a little, but for the first day, they totally got it, and you could tell that it felt special to them. It was an amazing thing that cost me absolutely nothing. So thank you to my amazing kids, and thank you to Paul Solarz, for making my classroom that much better. I can't wait to read the rest of the book!