I recently had another “aha moment” as a result of reading Seth Godin’s blog. Check out this passage:
“I didn’t let the dough ferment long enough.
And then I made the oven hotter, in an effort to get the loaves finished so I could leave to meet someone.
That’s not how great bread works. It’s ready when it’s ready, not when you need it to be.”
Pacing was my biggest opportunities for growth in the classroom. I’d plan on a “mini lesson,” only to find myself talking at my kids for 20 minutes before letting them get started. Or I’d try to keep it brief, and then find myself interrupting them again and again as I added additional thoughts.
Of course, pacing isn’t just about the length of our lessons. It’s also about gauging our kids’ learning and development in general. How soon and how fast do we push? How much room is there for students’ voices and inquiries amid the curriculum we have “to cover?” This is where the fear can also come in that Seth mentioned in his post; how often do we allow our fears to keep us letting go of control?
Either way, when our pacing is off, it’s often because the focus has strayed more to our timetable than our kids‘ timetable. Just as great sourdough is “ready when it’s ready, not when you need it to be,” kids are ready when they’re ready. The best way at being more in-tune with our kids’ needs is by listening to their voices. This might include:
- using a suggestion box/holding class meetings
- using wrap-ups at the end of our lessons to reflect collectively on the understanding thus far
- co-constructing rubrics and soliciting kids’ definitions of success (both for specific units and for learning in general!)
- talking less
- inviting kids in on the planning
- tapping into kids’ process for work (rather than focusing solely on compliance)
Even when we think we’re too short on time, when we choose to seek out students’ voices, we will more often find ourselves uncovering great learning and great learners.
featured image: DeathToTheStockPhoto