Habits of Success and Roars Monthly Focus
Mar 5-Mar 29
Habits of Success Focus: Agency
ROARS Focus: Responsibility
Agency helps our students in the following ways:
Teaching agency to elementary students can have several benefits for their personal and academic development:
1. **Empowerment**: By fostering agency, educators help students feel more empowered to take control of their learning. This can help build confidence and a sense of responsibility for their own education.
2. **Critical Thinking**: Encouraging students to make choices and decisions in their learning process can enhance their critical thinking skills. Students learn to evaluate options, consider consequences, and make informed decisions.
3. **Motivation**: When students feel they have a say in their education, they are more likely to be motivated to learn. This intrinsic motivation can lead to increased engagement and improved learning outcomes.
4. **Ownership of Learning**: Agency encourages students to take ownership of their learning journey. When students feel they have a role in shaping their educational experiences, they are more likely to be invested in their learning.
5. **Problem-Solving Skills**: By giving students the opportunity to make decisions and solve problems, educators help them develop valuable problem-solving skills that are applicable both inside and outside the classroom.
6. **Resilience and Adaptability**: Students who are taught agency develop resilience and adaptability as they learn to navigate different challenges and take responsibility for their choices.
7. **Preparation for Future Success**: Agency is a crucial skill for success in the 21st century, where self-direction and adaptability are increasingly important. By teaching agency, educators are preparing students for future success in a rapidly changing world.
Overall, teaching agency to elementary students empowers them to take control of their learning, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and prepares them for future success. It fosters a growth mindset and a sense of ownership over their education, which can lead to improved academic outcomes and a lifelong love of learning.
Below are prompts that you can use during circle/mentoring sessions:
1. **Reflection on Learning**: "Think about a recent lesson or project. How did you contribute to its success? What could you do differently next time to improve your performance?"
2. **Setting Personal Learning Goals**: "What's one thing you want to learn or get better at this week? How can you take steps to achieve this goal? How can I support you in reaching it?"
3. **Decision-Making Scenarios**: "Imagine you are the teacher for a day. What would you change about our classroom? Why? How would your changes benefit our learning environment?"
4. **Creating Class Norms**: "Our class is a community, and we all play a role in making it a positive place to learn. What are some norms or rules you think we should have in our classroom? How can we ensure everyone follows them?"
5. **Feedback and Reflection**: "Think about a recent group project or activity. What went well? What didn't? How can we improve our teamwork and collaboration next time?"
6. **Problem-Solving Challenges**: "I'm presenting you with a problem. How can we solve it together as a class? What steps should we take, and who can help?"
7. **Student-Led Discussions**: "You have the floor. Pick a topic you're passionate about and lead a brief discussion with the class. How can we support you in facilitating this conversation?"
8. **Personalizing Learning**: "Choose an assignment or project from the curriculum. How would you make it more interesting or relevant to you? How can we adapt it to better meet your needs and interests?"
9. **Peer Teaching**: "Teach us something you're good at. You'll have five minutes to share your knowledge. What are the main points you'll cover, and how will you engage the class?"
10. **Reflective Journaling**: "Write about a time when you felt like you had control over your learning. What made you feel empowered, and how can we create more of those opportunities?"
