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| Image by Rebecca Bathurst-Hunt, InquiryMindset, https://barbarabray.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Screenshot-2018-02-06-11.11.41.png |
To get the #InquiryMindset book study going, we've been asked to take a look at this sketchnote by Rebecca Bathurst-Hunt and reflect on which of these characteristics we are feel we are doing well in our classroom. I think everyone in the study can include passion as something they do well. It's one thing to read a great book like Inquiry Mindset over the summer (showing a love of learning), but we must be passionate about what we do, if we are doing a book study that has us vlogging on FlipGrid and writing blogs about it...IN THE SUMMER! So well done, all of us!
As I think about what I do and apply it to this graphic, I feel that my strongest trait is knowing my students. I teach a High School Congregated Special Education class, working with 10 students aged 14-21 with various Developmental Disabilities. They are a very diverse group with academic levels ranging from Pre-K to about grade 6. I'm blessed to have the same great group of kids all day - all year, which is not something many High School Teachers can boast. I may have them for only one year, or they may be with me for seven years. The time we spend together means I get to know them and their families quite well. But, it's not just about time. As a class, we work hard to build our community and foster a growth mindset - because, and I know you've heard it before, but it is the absolute truth...It is all about relationships.
Without those relationships, students won't feel safe to take a risk or collaborate or share. Relationships make tough conversations possible. Without a relationship, there is no trust in me as their teacher, or in each other. Without relationships, the classroom is not a safe place to ask questions and without questions - there is no wondering, no inquiry.
What are some things I do to foster those incredibly important relationships in my room?
- lots and lots of Tribes activities. If you have the opportunity to get Tribes training - go for it!
- celebrations - after a tough day, a great breakthrough, finishing a group study, presenting a passion project, or just because it's Wednesday - we pick a song and we dance.
- starting our day with an informal class meeting/chat to see what's happened, what's coming, where everyone is at
- Passion Projects - if you want to know the things that most excite your students, give them time to explore one of their passions and share it with the class. We learn so much from each other by sharing these
- #P3 Playlist - the students choose 3 songs that talk about who they are and share them and their reasons for picking them. The songs are tied to their history, their identity, and a song that just makes them happy when they hear it. (This activity came from Noa Daniel's Building Outside the Blocks Activities - check out the link to learn more about it). I cannot tell you how much we learn from each other doing this.
- laughing together. If we see a funny (but appropriate) YouTube video or a James Cordon or Jimmy Fallon Sketch, we share it. We take the time to watch it and laugh together. Maybe this one is a little silly, but starting the day with a laugh does wonders for relationships. And our class is huge fans of Carpool Kareoke, Broadway Crosswalk and Camp Winnipisake.
There are more, but they are not jumping out of my brain right now, so this is a good place to stop. I'll never be the perfect Teacher I want to be - but I keep working to improve. There are many things I'm not proficient at. But, man oh man, I know my Students.
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