Kyra rings her bell during Review Jeopardy today. “Is this right?”
“Show the class,” I say.
“Yeah, but is it right?” Kyra still holds her whiteboard up to her shoulders, hiding it.
“I don’t know,” I say. [But I do know. I'm lying to her. Teaching by deceit.]
Next to her, Marco says, “Just show it. The class will tell you if it’s wrong.”
“Yeah!” shouts Hank, across the room. “Take a risk!”
Yes!
I teared up a little bit. I’ve worked very hard for years to create a place where incorrect answers are a welcome step in understanding.
They’re not wrong answers, they’re just not correct yet.
After hearing me say it dozens (maybe hundreds) of times, they are starting to parrot back what I taught them.
… isn’t that what modern education is all about? Regurgitating at just the right time?
Hopefully, they don’t forget about risk-taking after the state test is over.
I know this comment is coming late (just catching up on months of posts) but I have to say how much I loved reading this. Something for me to strive to.
I know first hand that you took a risk by sharing that ‘associative property’ answer. And boy was I proud of you. (Better you than me.) Fight on, Mr. Vaudrey!