Become an "Expert at Smartness"

"Expert at Smartness" - I think this is so cute and isn't it what most children think of their teachers. They expect us to have all the answers. Therefore, we have to be continous learners. We should model what we teach. If we want our students to have a thirst for learning that is what we should do. I love going to conferences and workshops. It refreshes my energy for something I may have been doing for a long time. Fellow teachers are also a great inspiration for me. To see what works and doesn't work for them.

I thought it was interesting in this chapter to talk to your Principle about the programs we use and the changes that we as teachers may see as needing to be changed. We may notice teaching practices that are not effective and may be able to do things in a way that will help the children better than the program advises.

Create an "I Can Do It" Learning Environment

TRUIMPH changes everything! - I love that. That is so true. Think about times in your life when you thought you could not do something but some how and some way you were able to. Didn't make your confidence soar?
We have to help the students discover the possibilites- they can be anything they want to be.
We need to help all voices be heard through encouraging participatation (this includes the child in the back who seems to fade into the background).
We have to demonstrate the power of writing and teach the children they can accomplish something with writitng.
CELEBRATE! - cheer the students on even for small accomplishments " I can really tell that you worked hard on that!" "Wow, what a wonderful idea!". Our students need to know that we believe in them.

Look Beyond What You See

I found it encouraging to have a reminder to assume that each child is capable of learning to read and write. Sometimes we do set our expectations too low because of certain limitations we see the child has having. I have meet parents who will tell me that "Oh, my child can't do that! He is a terrible writer!" The expectations for the child have already been set so as not to expect much. We have to set high expectations for our students and then find the tools to get them there. I know with my own children, I have seen them believe that they can not meet a new challenge and then when they realize they have support and tools to conquer the challenge their confidence rises. The conquest of a task that they did not believe they could achieve leads to a rise in confidence in other areas of their lives. Let us always set our expectations high and help children believe they can do it!