Proof My Class Culture is Working

Kylia rings her bell during Review Jeopardy today. “Is this right?”

“Show the class,” I say.

“Yeah, but is it right?” Kylia still holds her whiteboard up to her shoulders, hiding it.

“I don’t know,” I say. [But IB do know. I’mB lying to her. Teaching by deceit.]

Next to her, Myles says, “Just show it. The class will tell you if it’s wrong.”

“Yeah!” shouts Hillary, across the room. “Take a risk!”

Yes!
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.

Comments

3 responses to “Proof My Class Culture is Working”

  1. Fawn Nguyen Avatar

    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!

  2. samjshah Avatar

    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.

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