Teachable Moments
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Plant Good Seed
There is much to learn from our natural surroundings that apply to life's lessons. A farmer must first make sure that he/she has tilled the soil and pulled weeds that may choke the growth process of the seeds. A "good" seed planted will not spring forth a twig or branch until processes are completed underground. The same is true for the work that educators complete daily with students. What we say or what we don't say...what we do or what we don't do... how we educate, communicate and nurture...or choose not to do so...all impact the lives of the students we encounter.
It may not come to fruition immediately like the seed placed in the soil, but efforts to love, nurture, encourage, empower, enlighten and educate will ultimately spring forth a student who is as strong as a redwood or eucalyptus tree. Robert Marzano states in "Classroom Instruction That Works" that TEACHERS are a major influence on the success of their students.
Here are some suggestions for teachers to "Plant Good Seed"-
-Look for the best in every student
-Set clear boundaries for appropriate behaviors
-Create a positive, engaging and student-centered learning environment
-Hold students accountable for ensuring their own academic success
-Incorporate teaching strategies that celebrate students' diversity, mutiple intelligences and high levels of critical thinking
-Celebrate what students do well
Let us continue to postively influence our students because we just never know how great our impact will have on their future success!
It may not come to fruition immediately like the seed placed in the soil, but efforts to love, nurture, encourage, empower, enlighten and educate will ultimately spring forth a student who is as strong as a redwood or eucalyptus tree. Robert Marzano states in "Classroom Instruction That Works" that TEACHERS are a major influence on the success of their students.
Here are some suggestions for teachers to "Plant Good Seed"-
-Look for the best in every student
-Set clear boundaries for appropriate behaviors
-Create a positive, engaging and student-centered learning environment
-Hold students accountable for ensuring their own academic success
-Incorporate teaching strategies that celebrate students' diversity, mutiple intelligences and high levels of critical thinking
-Celebrate what students do well
Let us continue to postively influence our students because we just never know how great our impact will have on their future success!