Tick-Tock, it’s June. There’s 10.5 school days left before exams begin. You’re juggling a full load, you have summatives + exams in most of your classes, you work part time, you’d like to see your girlfriend at some point this month, and all you wonder is if teachers realize how much is put on your plate in the machine we call High School.
Teachers feel it too. We’re not evaluated in the same way, but we have report cards to write, summatives + exams to mark, parents to call, families to care for, and these pesky interruptions called classes.
It’s important as educators, and students, that we view the clock with an opportunistic perspective. It shouldn’t make us anxious, or irritated (although it’s scientifically proven that I’m a zombie until I’ve had a coffee each morning). If you decide to become engaged, get excited for each day, the clock won’t haunt you—at least in the same way.
Teachers feel it too. We’re not evaluated in the same way, but we have report cards to write, summatives + exams to mark, parents to call, families to care for, and these pesky interruptions called classes.
It’s important as educators, and students, that we view the clock with an opportunistic perspective. It shouldn’t make us anxious, or irritated (although it’s scientifically proven that I’m a zombie until I’ve had a coffee each morning). If you decide to become engaged, get excited for each day, the clock won’t haunt you—at least in the same way.
In the Future Forums course that I’m currently teaching, my students were given the Ontario Curriculum and told to do something that interests them. Giving students freedom to design their own assignment has revolutionized their learning. 60 minutes ago, one of my students signed out early to go interview someone at our local food bank! I have a group of boys making informative, and hilarious, series of career-selection videos. Students are now excited to give me daily updates on their work, and it’s contagious (trust me, my colleagues are sick of hearing about it -- ie. Mrs. Schnarr).
Don’t get me wrong, I still have to prod some students awake at 8:20 am each morning (sometimes I’m amazed that I’m awake), and other students still need a carrot dangled in front of them. However, if you’re a teacher dreading this time of year, take a moment to reflect and consider giving students more choice. If you’re a student, trapped in a drab, grey classroom, take the initiative and tell your teacher about your awesome idea. What’s the worst that could happen? If they say no, you can still do it on your own time.
Don’t get me wrong, I still have to prod some students awake at 8:20 am each morning (sometimes I’m amazed that I’m awake), and other students still need a carrot dangled in front of them. However, if you’re a teacher dreading this time of year, take a moment to reflect and consider giving students more choice. If you’re a student, trapped in a drab, grey classroom, take the initiative and tell your teacher about your awesome idea. What’s the worst that could happen? If they say no, you can still do it on your own time.