Supporting the Needs of Your Students
Finding the right mix and balance of support for students can at times be challenging. Brain science informs us that mistakes are a necessary part of learning. Experiencing the right amount of struggle is necessary to stretch the brain's thinking and positively impact neural pathway development, all while providing the right support students, regardless of age, need to in turn help them develop resilience. Consider the following video & article, which may connect to your current thinking, provide you a moment of pause for reflection, or potentially impact your thinking in a new, curious way.
How Productive Struggle Fires Up Learners (2 minutes 18 seconds) - "When students grapple with challenging problems, their confusion and frustration can actually lead to more durable learning."
The Science of Student Motivation - "Noted author & psychologist David Yeager on the common mistakes we make when giving feedback to students, and how to tap into purpose and belonging to make classroom work more meaningful."
Quote:
"The most productive classrooms are those in which students work on complex problems, are encouraged to take risks, and can struggle and fail and still feel good about working on hard problems." ~Jo Boaler
Connecting to Resources to Meet Needs
PBIS Apps Teach by Design ~
The March PBIS Apps Teach by Design article, Every Student, Every Need, brings a connection to "helping students on the path to successful outcomes in the PBIS Framework." The article shares the following three recommended decision rules to effectively engage "a triangle full of support:"
1) Check schoolwide data early and often
2) Be sure it's really a Tier 2 need
3) Watch for peaks and valleys in progress
The main idea is remembering support is not a one-size-fits-all solution and providing additional support is based on need.
Edutopia Articles & Videos ~
Winning the Battle for Student Attention (1 minute 30 seconds) - "A 2024 study demonstrated that the social cues which hold classroom norms together can quickly fray, and inattention can spread from desk to desk."
Research-Tested Benefits of Breaks - "Students are easily distracted, but regular, short breaks can help them focus, increase their productivity, and reduce their stress."
17 Brain Breaks Tailored for High Schoolers - "As high school students navigate more rigorous academic tasks and denser curricular material, the occasional 3-to-5-minute break delivers a wide range of benefits."
10 Powerful Community-Building Ideas - "Strategies for ensuring that students in every grade feel like they're part of the classroom community."
Creating Moments of Connection With All Students - "Creating a sense of belonging and safety for each student is foundational to fostering a learning environment."
60-Second Strategy: Participation Spinner (1 minute 8 seconds) - "This simple technique can help ease students' anxiety about sharing out in class - and make it more fun."
Shifting Your Approach to Teaching Math Word Problems - "These strategies help teachers focus on building students' language comprehension skills during math lessons."
7 Learning Myths Your Students Probably Believe - "From left- and right-brain thinking to the notion that talent beats persistence, these common myths can hinder student learning. Here's how teachers can help."
Why Ages 2-7 Matter So Much for Brain Development - "Rich experiences - from play to the arts and relationships - fundamentally shape a young child's development."
Developing Empathy Through Storytelling (3 minutes 16 seconds) - "After interviewing a community member who has endured hardship, high school students practice their ELA skills - and their empathy - to turn it into a public performance."
"On the Road" & Action for Happiness
"On the Road" Video (6 minutes 53 seconds):
*additional note related to this video - a 20-second hug is an effective stress-reducing strategy*
Action for Happiness Calendar:
Quote:
"A hug is a silent way of saying you matter to me." ~Unknown