A Teacher’s Teachable Moments

Some of the best teachable moments come during play. And when I mean teachable moments, I don’t necessarily mean the students are doing the learning. While play is an incredibly successful method in which students can learn all sorts of skills, I am focusing on what I learn, as the teacher.

In more traditional lessons and instructional formats, students fall into some categories. Some participate all the time, even if that participation isn’t directly related to the lesson. Some students may only participate if they are 1000% sure they have a correct answer. And unless a teacher calls on certain students, you might never hear their voice.

These differences in participation can sway and influence what a teacher knows and understands about what the student knows and understands.

Unless. . .

the teacher is willing to let actions speak louder than words.

In a recent marble playground performance assessment wrapping up our unit on pushes and pulls, I noticed that the often silent students exhibited just as much knowledge and understanding of how to create and design a successful playground through their actions.

Actions speak louder than words. Let the kids play and they’ll show you what they know (and what they don’t).

So I aim not to just listen but to watch, observe, and enjoy.