Saying yes.

Spending 10 days with a toddler over winter vacation, I worked hard on not saying "no" too often. Then, I came back to work and realized, even in 3rd grade, it takes a great deal of effort to not say "no" too often.

As a teacher, it's my job to guide and lead children forward. To set boundaries, to help them learn how to interact in school, in life.

But, often this role requires saying no, quite a bit. "no, you need to sit down and listen/read/work." "no, you may not call out" "no, you need to do this as I am asking."

But then, as I looked around my room, and looked at my students, I realize that part of what helps them succeed and thrive and learn and grow is the fact that as a teacher, I say yes.

Real life is all about compromises, so why shouldn't teaching and learning?

You want to do your guided reading work laying on the floor, under a desk? yes, you may!

You need to use an e-tablet to help you do your writing task? yes, you may, and I can't wait to read what you can write with your tablet!

You need to wiggle as you learn? of course you can, here's a leg band or a seat cushion to help you wiggle as you sit!

You need to learn through games and hands-on activities rather than traditional seat work? awesome, that's great and I love teaching that way!

I find that by saying yes to my students, it makes them more willing to say yes back to me.  In return, I then find that my students are more willing to take risks and try something more challenging. Knowing that I listen and am willing to meet them half way makes them more willing to do the same.

Teaching is about helping children, of all abilities, access the world around them. Having a set agenda and saying no all the time doesn't get me or them anywhere!

Try saying yes a little more to your students, that's my challenge to you. I really try to say it more than I say no and as a result, my classroom looks nothing like the traditional sitting in rows, completing worksheet classroom. But, my students feel safe, they feel respected, and they feel happy and ready to learn. And you know what? They do learn.