Individualizing Learning-It Takes Time & Effort, but It’s Worth It

Here in Florida, our students have the entire week of Thanksgiving off.

I spent this break far differently than my past 10 years.

I won’t pretend like I don’t have more on my plate this year or that I’m not human and didn’t use the first few days to simply take them as they came, to completely relax, and to decorate for Christmas. (Yes, I’m aware, it’s still Thanksgiving but those who know me that I’m simply being polite for even waiting this long.)

But what made this break different is that I was actually energized and enthusiastic to use the time to work!

Yes, teachers, you read that right. I spent the week completely reworking my ENTIRE curriculum for my students for the next three months and was HAPPY to do so!

WHY?

Because even though we had a plan at the beginning of the year, things changed and so we’ve changed with them!

Our calendar was originally geared towards our students but as the year progressed, some things took longer, some not as much, some things were no longer relevant and so we’ve eliminated, condensed, and reframed.

More importantly, I’ve gotten to know my students even more and believe that I can teach similar ideas through different real life events that will connect to them even more. I have some of the most compassionate and empathetic kids I’ve ever had. They care hugely about people. They show love and kindness to me, to each other, and to people they don’t even know often-like the doorman at the hotel Luis or the lady that walks by them. So my job is to build on that. We will learn through more connections with humans. (Stay tuned over the next few months as I’m equally as geeked out about this upcoming unit!)

What helps make me excited about this is when I put it in perspective.

In years past, the curriculum would have been laid out for me and I’d have to do my best to make it semi-relevant and engaging for my kids.

In years past, I would have still been pushing to get an idea of what interests each of my students and where they were truly at academically.

In years past, I would have been so overwhelmed with irrelevant documentation and meetings that took my time and energy away from my kids that I didn’t have it in me to do the extra, hard work.

I’ve attached a previous blog about differentiation and how we’re taught to do it as teachers but also about how challenging it can often be to address all levels in the traditional classroom:

  1. Ability
  2. Learning Style
  3. Interest

Again, another reinforcement – THIS is where I’m supposed to be and am happy to be doing what I do. This upcoming unit for these kids addresses all of them AND connects to the REAL WORLD and to REAL HUMANS!

Here’s one of the articles I read over break that made me think of my current students as well as most students/learners in general. It was posted by Mindful Schools but addresses research done by the NeuroLeadership Institute that shares their findings about how students learn and how they’ll need to be able to do so in the world as the world too changes.

We have to create environments where students feel safe and cared for before anything else. Then connect to things that they care ABOUT and give them multiple opportunities to engage with the material in real life situations.

That’s what we’re lucky enough to do at Indi-ED.

Which reinforces the perspective. I’m thankful for the change and to get to work with people who value a similar approach to learning. I’m thankful to get to use my time over this break to create meaningful learning opportunities. I’m thankful to get to spend my time here on Earth doing the hard, but important work.

*Edit: I’ve just shared the new outline and some ideas with my students and they’re pumped. Let the change, the learning, and the growing continue!