The student said, “I”m not stealing anyone”s education. How can I do that?”
We all have students, during instructional teaching times, that distract classmates and don”t pay attention themselves. This student had done both. Now he was doing extra work to encourage him that it”s better to do class work. The classmates were out playing, he was still working.
That”s when I asked Joshua if he realized how he had stolen. By his reply I knew he did not understand. I then asked Joshua what his reading level was. He was in fourth grade, yet his reading level was slightly lower than second.
He boasted that he was working harder in the after school reading class. I encouraged him to continue.
“But what had happened that you were behind?” I pressed him. “Did you steal learning from yourself?” I paused. Then I continued, “And what are you going to do about it?”
He admitted he now understood. “I better get reading more!” he added quickly.
Monty Roberts encourages educators to remind students that are behind or disturbing others” learning, that they are stealing, then perhaps more would take personal responsibility, as this student did. It”s a slow process for students to see how their actions and behaviors harm themselves and as well as those around them.
Stay calm and encouraging.
We know that every child is always learning, but are they learning what we want them to learn?
I sincerely believe that the teacher, who projects that the child can learn, gives the student the feeling and belief that they truly can. This is supported by a study in which a group of teachers were told certain students excelled. These students were really random performers. At the end of the year, these students actually did do better. Educators, believe in your student!
Reprinted from the Jan. 23, 2007 edition of the Konocti and Monty Roberts Educational Exchange (KARE) newsletter.
