Ideas in Education: Ensuring Students Learn from Mistakes
When we allow students to learn from mistakes without evaluation and judgment, mistakes become learning opportunities.
As both a parent and an educator. I often made comments like, “Failure is the greatest teacher; make it a detour,” or “Mistakes are opportunities to learn.” I probably fell short, however, encouraging students to learn from their mistakes when answering questions or completing assignments. Too often, I gave false praise, “Nice try,” an abrupt “No,” or I gave a clue that pretty much gave the student the answer.
None of these responses dignified the student or his/her answer and they didn’t acknowledge student mistakes and failures as opportunities.
While observing a couple of classes, I saw two teachers highlight the benefits of mistakes by explaining the mistakes when they occurred. Compare their responses to “No,” “Nice try,” or “What you did wrong was…”
The first example comes from a math class where the teacher was reviewing a problem with a group of students.
Teacher: “How’d you get that answer?”
Student explains the answer.
Teacher: “You did a good job of [bunch of math terms]. You made a mistake when you [more math words]. Try it again and when you do the next question, remember that.”
The next example came from a science class where the teacher was asking open-ended questions when a student volunteered an incorrect answer.
Teacher: I see where you’re going with your answer. That is one type, but it’s not what we’re looking for here. Take another look at your notes and see if you can figure it out.
What happened next was most impressive: the class silently waited for about 20 seconds while the student looked back through her notes before offering a correct answer; other students also skimmed through their notes.
Five things I loved about how these teachers corrected students/5 Techniques to help students learn from mistakes:
- They focused on learning and provided actionable feedback for students that encouraged student participation and learning.
- They made learning visible for students and teachers. Prompting and further questioning enabled the students to work their way to the answer and learn from their mistakes.
- Student mistakes were validated and they were motivated to try again.
- The error was identified.
- Student mistakes were corrected with empathy and respect.
As you provide feedback to your students, what are some ways that you ensure students feel safe and are willing participants who are taking risks and learning from their mistakes?
Tasks, Important Information, Upcoming Events
Friday will be an B-Day with clubs.
Mustang Morning: If a student cannot sign-up for an extension/enrichment activity (orange/red color), it’s probably because he/she has 2 Ds/Fs. Please also remember, that we strive to make Mustang Morning proactive but if a student has a D or F, he/she should be requested. Even though it’s early in the year, by requesting them we’re holding them--and us--accountable for their success.
September 25: Interim Period Ends
September 27: Pep Rally Bell Schedule (see draft below)
October 16: PSAT / CWRA Tests (3rd and 4th periods will meet)
October 31: End of Quarter; 10th grade field trip to Career Expo (will miss Mustang Morning and 2nd period)
Homecoming Dance Chaperones We need help in various locations; taking tickets, sitting/standing near exits, coat/shoe check, food tables, and walking around the dance floor. If there is something specific you would like to help with, just let me know. When you reply, please let me know if you would like 1st shift, 2ndshift, or both. The times are as follows: 1st Shift - 7:45-9:45 & 2nd Shift - 9:30 -11:00. ~Ms Csapo and Ms Colgan
Birthdays
9/20: Madeline Michel, Brittany Sullivan, Deleanna Eddy
Useful Information
Seeking volunteers? ACPS is attempting to expand volunteer outreach and help teachers find volunteers. Here’s a form that takes a minute to complete.
Morning Announcement Stream: http://streaming.k12albemarle.org/ACPS/links.htm
Want something included on the Monticello Outlook Calendar, the Monticello website, in the PowerSchool Daily Bulletin, schoolwide Schoology accounts, or the student newsletter (viewed by parents, students and staff)? Please use this link https://goo.gl/forms/bIjfJLKokWPcEHx33
Worth Your Time
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