They Won't Eat You Alive If You Dance

I've had an opportunity to work closely with dozens of educators. Very different educators. I get it...some teachers are just way more strict and rigid. And that is okay. They believe in setting strict boundaries with intricate rule routines and procedures. While it isn't my teaching style, I get it. YOU CAN achieve the same thing if you set clear expectations, give them a chance to understand/learn/practice those expectations, build strong relationships, show them you care and that you love them.  I promise your students won't eat you alive. Well, I pretty much promise.

Either way, no matter how you work to build a "safe, respectful, responsible" climate in your room, please don't strive to build compliance through instructional rigidity. So often, in the name of keeping the class under control, educators sacrifice an environment that fosters innovation and is rooted in student choice, creativity, and the critical "question finding" that George Couros discusses in The Innovator's Mindset. 

While it seems the whole education world knows it isn't okay, somehow, worksheets, pre-prescribed teacher manuals, "teacher centered" discussions, basic computer programs/apps, prescribed writing prompts and long lists of carefully crafted objectives (that kids can't even see) rule the day for many classes (yes, a lot less than even 4-5 years ago but still...). I've come to realize after so many observations that this type of class seems to be rooted in gaining "compliance over kids" but behind the veil of teacher as expert...or historically competent practices...or district mandates...or who knows. 

So if I've described your classroom (or your professional development practices as a principal), all I dream of is that you pivot one small step at a time. The pivot doesn't need to be a major change earthquake or fancy technology. Some very basic examples just from today/week/month that will help start the shift for those that are nervous about moving:

Instead of discussing objectives at the start of the lesson, ask the children to think about what the objective of the lesson was when the lesson is wrapping up. Let the students "question find" and critically think about the learning experience they just had.

Spend a whole day timing how much you talk vs. how much they talk for academic purposes. Let the data speak for itself. Or try to cover your mouth when they are having a discussion. Stop yourself from interjecting. 

Let them bring a personal mobile device for a day and provide a structure for them to use it with academic purpose. Tell them you trust them to use it appropriately. 

Do a breakout or some other type of challenge? Provide some structure and guidance but let them take their thinking and whatever recent math/science/language/history lesson you taught and apply it. Let them struggle a bit. Let them team. Let them compete. 

Buy a couple of actual sheep hearts to dissect instead of having them read a textbook and fill in some blanks on hearts. 

Take them outside to read, plant, jump, collaborate, build, race, think, challenge, or create.

Have them record a video Flipgrid describing the best (non-recess) moment of the day.

Teach mindfulness for a week and see what impact it has on how they interact and work together. 

Go ONE WHOLE week without using one worksheet. Not one. 

Give them time at least once next week where they can create/build/experiment with (or without) some structure. DO it in your classroom to show them making doesn't have to be in a special maker space.

Finally, 

DANCE with the whole class for 5 minutes. Let them pick a favorite (but appropriate tune). It's okay...I promise the instructional compliance police won't knock down your door. BUT, I PROMISE TO JOIN YOUR DANCE PARTY, ANYTIME!