Monday, September 21, 2015

Opinions are like... #EdChat

...smiles. Everyone has one.

:-)

Wait, is that it?

Anyway, I wanted to share a thought on student voice today. This past week, I started to dive into class discussion with my students and one of the things I tell my classes is that I want them to have a loud voice in class. I want them to discuss, engage, push back, and argue with me when they believe in something. The looks on their faces was very interesting. I could tell that some of them had never considered arguing with a teacher in class.


When it comes to my classroom, I encourage students to share their thoughts and help guide them on how to do it in a respectful manner. Even if you disagree with someone, it is key to listen and then share your opinion. It doesn't mean you have to convince them, it just nice to allow others to share their thoughts. We need to make sure that we express this to our students and remind them throughout the year. Student opinions matter and we need to make sure they understand that their views are valuable and an important part of class and the overall learning experience for everyone in the classroom.

As you go deeper into the school year, please remind your students that their opinions matter in class and that your room is safe place to share those opinions. If we want to create a society that values different opinions, we need to start in the classroom.

Have a great day!

Nick

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