I find myself using my own explanations when trying to explain expectations to my students. When students respond to my prompts, whether they be in Reading, Math, Science, or History, I expect ROBUST answers. That is to say that I want MEATY responses, not CANDY responses. I want answers I can sink my teeth into, something SAVORY.
Mr. Culbertson calls it "getting out of the kiddie pool and taking you into deeper water". While it is warmer in the shallow kiddie pool, we must not get comfortable with it (The water in there is also yellow, you know.). Eventually, students have to take off the floaties and learn to swim. Teachers are still here to make sure they don't drown, but we aren't here to do all of the stroking and kicking for them. Students must take responsibility for their own learning.
Hopefully all of the analogies, metaphors, and descriptive words help students understand that they can't just sit in the shallow water and expect to feel any big achievement. I want them to each stretch out on their own and swim. That means I want more than a bunch of quick, SUGARY responses to my questions. Give me more PROTEIN!
Mr. Culbertson calls it "getting out of the kiddie pool and taking you into deeper water". While it is warmer in the shallow kiddie pool, we must not get comfortable with it (The water in there is also yellow, you know.). Eventually, students have to take off the floaties and learn to swim. Teachers are still here to make sure they don't drown, but we aren't here to do all of the stroking and kicking for them. Students must take responsibility for their own learning.
Hopefully all of the analogies, metaphors, and descriptive words help students understand that they can't just sit in the shallow water and expect to feel any big achievement. I want them to each stretch out on their own and swim. That means I want more than a bunch of quick, SUGARY responses to my questions. Give me more PROTEIN!
