Our classrooms are filled with individuals, with a variety of needs, and it’s up to us to make sure they thrive. The only way for that to happen is to build a connection with each kid. Looking at data? It will only tell us a small piece of the picture. We need the big picture. Interests. Family. Struggles. Successes. Pets. Friends. Hobbies. Scars. Favorite toy. Favorite Foods. The details that make up the big picture.
Can learning happen in a classroom without the connections? Maybe.
Should classrooms be about connections? Definitely.
When we truly know them all as individuals, we can understand them as learners.
Thanks, Celina, for the great quote suggestion!
June 14, 2012 at 12:28 am
Great post and slide Krissy.
I am definitely going to share this with my staff. Next year, we are beginning a program at our school called “Connections” with the express purpose of developing the big picture related to the individual students we teach.
Thanks for sharing!
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