Each conversation we have with students in some way deposits knowledge and experiences that can be "withdrawn" for future use. I knew that I was a part of a million dollar conversation when I heard these words: 8 more minutes please!
It was 2:21 on a Friday afternoon. I was teaching a lesson to a group of high school seniors. I was not working the "checklist" the students were used to. As I explained to the students, my purpose of my lesson was to share with them some of the struggles that some of my undergraduate students had there first weeks and months in college.
I began the conversation by sharing a story of my struggle as a student making the transition from high school to college. I spent many hours trying to figure out the right way to study, the right way to take notes, the right way to manage myself, and yet in all my education there was never one teacher that stood before me telling me how to learn. As usual, I got involved in the learning conversation, and looked up at the clock realizing quickly that time for the lesson had run out.
Thinking that school was letting out, I announced to the students that I would not be able to finish the rest of the "learning how to learn" lesson, but I would share the techniques that helped me with their teacher. Within seconds of the announcement, students looked at me and spoke the words that changed everything for me: "Mrs. Maiers, would you please stay? We have eight more minutes in class left."
I spent the last eight minutes of that Friday modeling and demonstrating ways that learners work things out in order to be as successful and they know they have potential to be. I asked the students to share with me what this conversation meant to them as a learner. what did it get them thinking about, what changed for them…most importantly why did they want more?
Here is what they shared:
- It would be great to know more about how to study right. I think no student really knows it.
- Yes, I like this because I am extremely worried about college and how to study in college, because you have to learn a lot by yourself. I think we do need to learn about it, but I don’t necessarily think that we should take out our lessons for it.
- I think that if there was a class like this it would be very helpful in my later education. I would actually understand what was going on in class.
- This lesson was more than helpful, it should be required!
- In today’s society people are rushing to and from. We need to learn fast and immediately. I personally like these classes. Love them. I want to learn now, not later.
- I wish everyone could have this experience. It’s just amazing and I think we should have this opportunity more often.
- I think this is definitely worth it. So many times I learn stuff, but it’s difficult to apply it systematically to our lives. I really need this stuff to stick to my brain and help me. I don’t want to fake my brain to absorb stuff in an organized way.
- I would like to learn this now because it will help me more. It would make college simpler.
- I think that it was good as a refresher to be aware that I don know how to do these things and I am doing these things.
- I think it will be a great addition to our curriculum. Yes, it may take some time, but in the long run it will benefit us to learn and pick up ideas faster.
- I think it would be a great idea because then we are all getting the effects of it. It could help for the rest of our lives.
- I think it would be a good idea to do it every once in awhile because it would help us. We know some of the things but it would help refresh us.
- I think it would be helpful. They would help us understand and actually get what we are talking and doing in class. A lot of kids never understand fully what’s going on. It would help prepare us.
- I think this is a great idea to teach, because there have been numerous times when I read stories and I don’t know what is going on and so I just give up on reading the book.
- I think that all students need to learn how to understand what they are learning. I wish I would have heard the information sooner, because the information will be very helpful. I feel a lot more prepared for college now.Thanks!
In all my years as a classroom teacher, planning instruction, creating lessons, addressing a standards…it is only recently, after exploring success in a broader sense, that I really understood HOW to teach students to be successful learners and not just wish it upon them. By understanding the anatomy of those who have achieved success, it has allowed me to turn encouragement into action and instruction. It is my hopes that this same knowledge will afford you the same exciting opportunities with your students.
