As I am reading Chart a New Course by Rachelle Dene Poth @Rdene915 the following quote pierced the core of my soul: ” Sometimes students may not feel comfortable speaking in front of their peers or working within a group, especially with classmates they do not know well. Fears of being wrong or embarrassed can sap a student’s confidence to try again.”. This quote brought me back to my childhood and my experiences in school. I was that child! The embarrassment and uncertainty came flashing back to me. After so many years, I can still feel the fear inside of me. My introverted self would reach for the comfort of a book and hope that the day would be over. As educators, we need to remember that one size does not fit all. All of our students do not do well speaking in front of a group or working in a group. We need to be innovative in our approaches and provide choice for them. Does that mean we should not encourage them? No, we should. We should find ways to increase their confidence and help them step out of their comfort zones. Providing choice combined with building a relationship and connection with those students helps them to feel more comfortable. It has always been my mission as a teacher to make sure the quiet, shy and/or introverted students do not get forgotten and they also find their voices. I work hard at making connections with them and providing them choices and opportunities to build up their confidence. That child needs to know that YOU believe in them!
When I was a child, we did not have many options of how to share our thinking or learning in class. There was no technology. But nowadays we have multiple platforms for students to share what they are learning. These platforms can open up a new world for our students. It can make them feel like they are heard and have a voice. Many times these students do not feel like they have a voice and if they are not given choice and different ways to share their voice, then many will continue to go deeper into themselves.
In Rachelle’s book, she discusses how technology can be a great outlet for those students. She says, “technology can facilitate the development of the SEL skills students need to successfully collaborate and communicate with others.” (p.32). It allows them to connect to peers, build confidence and develop their voice.
I do not want any student to feel like I did. I want them to know that they have a voice and it matters. We have the power to make that difference in a child’s life.
CHOICE EMPOWERS VOICE!