The title of the chapter says it all in my mind... "Creating a Culture of Innovation & Leadership". I think this is so important for a Genius Hour, 20% time, anything creative to work in our classrooms. We have to establish the CULTURE that it is ok to think different than other students and that failure is ok. They have to become comfortable with that setting.
Don Wettrick references the Daniel Pink and The Puzzle of Motivation video - if you haven't watched it, here is the link - http://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pink_on_motivation. Even if you only watch the first couple of minutes, The Candle Problem is quite intriguing.
Another quote I love in this book is, "Freedom is hard. Being told what to do, although not exciting, is easy." AMEN! Quite often, my students expect to be told what to do. They don't do well with freedom or interpreting directions in their own way. Example - I'm trying to introduce my class to sketch notes - YIKES! Some of them take right off with it, others, not so much. I gave them general, loose directions, and some just could not "understand" or think of ways to apply it. We will work and work and work until they benefit.
In my own classroom last year and this year, I have witnessed first hand what page 24 talks about. Allowing time for brainstorming is so powerful. They can create a list of topics that they are passionate about - things that interest them. Then, once they have freedom to lead a project their own way, they can refer to their brainstorm lists. Being inspired or passionate about their topic is amazing - their productivity will soar!
What did you all take away from chapter 2? Any stories to tell about your own classrooms?
What I found interesting was the section that talked about creating a culture of leadership. In today's world I feel students fall into the category of followers. Especially high school students with all of the social media and trying to fit it etc. They mostly do what is asked of them. When given the chance to create and lead not many step up. Creating a culture of leaders in our classroom is important. I feel that allowing students too pick and choose topics that interest them and let the students take the lead in the classroom could carry over to real life situations as well.
ReplyDeleteI saw two sides to Freedom is Hard - on one side the student who is so used to be told exactly what to do - starting in Kindergarten with you must color "it" red - fast forward to "paint a picture" and student is waiting for the paint by number kit. Also as a teacher that has many lab classes keeping track of what everyone is doing when freedom to choose the project feels a little like chaos in the classroom. I also often think that everyone will jump at the chance to choose their project. I often have to give suggestions with samples to get them started. The ones who take it and run are often the most fun, unless they stubbornly get ahead of their skill level. It is that failure thing I guess on my part wanting them to see success so they will try again.
ReplyDeleteLearning to work independently, coming up with their own ideas, especially in writing assignments, can be quite challenging for some students. They're often given direct instructions and when they have the freedom to make their own decisions, it's hard! At least this is what I observe on the elementary level. Is it possible some just don't want to take the time to think? Because it does take some time to think things through.
ReplyDeleteI can see where developing the culture of the classroom at the beginning of the year is important. Is it more of a task to do it part way through the year?
Developing leaders with good qualities, serving others and working together is so important.
I really have to stress respect when I teach freedom because they are so influenced by their classmates. I found it very helpful to require them to have choice a, then choice b, etc. it taught them to have a back-up plan ( which is also a great life skill) and it also taught them to think more divergently.
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