How are you students with problem solving?
Are your students able to think critically about how to solve a problem if an adult isn't there to talk them through each step?
There are students who will wait for others to jump in and answer questions for them...some look to others to tell them the answer... or they will sit there saying nothing ( not even 'I don't know' hoping that someone will lose patience and answer for them.
I've had conversations with students about HELPING vs DOING IT FOR THEM. I've worked on explaining what that looks like and the importance of knowing the difference.
This quote comes to mind:
"Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime"
When *insert students name here* is dependant on having others do things for them, they never strengthen the practice of learning that particular skill. What does strengthen is their ability to wait for others to do things for them or smile and ask nicely "Can you do this for me .....pleeeeeease?"
"If you do this for me, I can nominate you for a token as you were showing me Manaakitanga"...nudge... nudge..wink...wink.
What happens on the day the helpful mate is away from school?
Uh-oh... that student is stuck. "Now they have to figure this stuff out on their own" OR (and this is more likely) they will find someone else to fill in their mate's place.
I find myself asking:
"How am I setting these kids up so that they have the confidence to problem solve if an adult isn't right there to tell them what to do?"
Yes I know for most, everything is done for them at home. Trust me, after Camp in Term 2, I am well aware of the students who have everything done for them vs. the students who are given chores or some kind of responsibility. Based on a recent staff meeting we had on raising expectations, I need to do better in terms of 'teaching them how to fish rather than just handing them a fish each day.'
At first it may be frustrating to observe them carry out tasks or wait for them to answer questions, however, if we truly are in the business of helping others then we need to redefine what help looks like.
One definition sees you as a facilitator working along students, using that zone of proximal development until they become more confident, gradually backing away as the support needed becomes less and less. The other, sees you as an enabler, one who is essentially crippling the student to always rely on others in order to go through life. I have to admit that I have been the second definition with some students and I have excused it for different reasons. Our Raising Expectations PD has allowed me to think about things a little differently.
This is important not just because most of the students I teach will be off to college next year, but learning how to do things for yourself is a life skill that often times we don't view as important...until it is and by the time we realise how self reliant they are, we are trying to undo years of learned helplessness. I am determined to wear the growth mindset coat and help strengthen students problem solving skillls! All those in favour of helping me say AYE!
What strategies do you put in place for your students to promote independence or the ability to problem solve?