Our textbook, entitled The Art of Possibility, discusses how we live in a world based on measurement. We are constantly measuring, comparing, and labeling everything around us, including our students. The authors of the book (Ben and Roz Zander) propose that instead of conforming to this current world, individuals should stop applying expectations of any kind and live as if "it's all invented." I particularly loved the Michelangelo analogy used on p. 26 comparing students to a block of stone or marble. Inside each block is a beautiful statue just waiting to be created. I appreciate this comparison because teachers are expected to unveil the unlimited possibilities in each student, rather than rating students compared to their classmates. In our current educational system, there are way too many tests, grouping mechanisms, and competitions alienating some students from their classmates. Instead of doing so much comparing, as teachers we need to be helping students realize the possibilities within themselves.
The third chapter in the book focused on the concept of "giving an A." Mr. Zander has personally used this concept in the classroom and found that students reacted positively! On the first day of class, he explained to the students that they already had an A. The only requirement to keeping this A was students had to write a letter to the teacher in the past tense, explaining how they earned their grade. Many of the letters from students he included in this chapter gave me chills! It is amazing to see how students rise to meet teacher expectations (when expectations are placed extremely high). Students saw all the possibilities of this type of class, and became the student that they have always wanted to be! This book is very interested because it not only applies to the classroom, but also to our personal relationships and our own self-worth.
Abbie
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that in the world of education as we know it there are way too many standardized tests, and we do need to focus more on helping our students reach their individual potentials of growth! As I think back on the past 10 months, one of the beautiful aspects of this program to me, is that every assessment is a project where we have been encouraged to "unleash our creativity" and make projects applicable to where we are in our practice. I think this has lessened the competitiveness and allowed us to realize that we each have our own style, and be encouragement and support to one another! What an excellent model....
I also totally agree with you that this book can speak on a highly personal level! As always, a very articulate post, Abbie!
@ Abbie
ReplyDelete"Instead of doing so much comparing, as teachers we need to be helping students realize the possibilities within themselves." This is a great way of saying it yet is so hard to actually do. We are so used to comparing ourselves to others that we don't even notice it when we teach/grade/influence. I look forward to hearing how you raise your expectations for your students and I have a sneaking suspicion they will rise up and exceed them.
Abbie,
ReplyDeleteI love your introduction and the discussion on measurements. I can't count how many times I've told students not to measure themselves with one another, but to set their own measurements. How sad it makes me to realize that students are being measured against one another everyday by teachers, administrators, state-tests, and other educational processes that require us to show growth in some inconceivable form or another. I am fascinated by the idea that there is possibly another way to approach student assessment. And I can't wait to incorporate "the letter" into my classroom environment.
It is important that we be revealing the work of art in all of our students. This is not an simple or quick task by any stretch of the imagination. As with art we have to let the strengths and interests of young students reveal themselves without preconceived notions of what they should be. Most of us work in a world of set standards and testing that very much go against this philosophy.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more! This book applies to many different aspects of our lives. I think I will be purchasing this book in hard copy form, I want to read it again and again to remind myself of the Art of Possibility. The students letters gave me chills to, what an inspiration they were!
ReplyDeleteAbbie,
ReplyDeleteI too loved the Michaelangelo analogy about comparing students to a block of stone or marble. Such an awesome concept because it focuses more on helping each student discover and become their best selves as opposed to comparing them to their peers. Each individual is so different and each student has different strengths. It is unfortunate that we have to label each student and categorize them with a letter of the alphabet. I love how Zander gave more purpose to the invented letter grade A. Instead of visualizing as a comparison tool, they used it as a reachable and attainable goal for everyone. It became more than just a letter but an individualized goal for each student. The letters they wrote revealed the true purpose of their learning and what they were going to accomplish...not so much the letter grade of A itself.