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Learning Manifesto

What time do we go home?

I have vivid memories of my primary school days. I recall my math class, sitting at my desk, surrounded by classmates and a teacher who constantly instructed me to be quiet and follow their lead. Unfortunately, my fourth-grade teacher made this experience even worse. Her constant yelling and intimidating stares made learning difficult, and I felt like I just wanted to go home. It was a tough time and consequences for me: Math has always been my challenge.

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I am currently in my second year as an elementary school teacher, and unfortunately, I continue to come across educators who approach teaching with a focus on themselves rather than the students. These lessons involve simply pouring information into the child without emphasizing critical thinking. It is disheartening when teachers force children to conform to certain behaviors and ideals. Recently, I stumbled upon an internet meme that resonated with me. Although it was a simple image  (Figure 1) I saw the value in its message, especially for my daughter and the children in my classroom.

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I don't hold them responsible for their actions since they are learned behaviors resulting from the pressures exerted by our education system. The teacher's quality also affects the child's assessment, which adds more stress. Hence, there's immense pressure in our educational system to adhere to the curriculum, meet the standards, and achieve the desired results.

 

During my first teaching year, a kid asked me,  What time we go home? I noticed I was doing something wrong and started changing many of my behaviors, mindset, and teaching.

Figure 1.

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We are
curiosity killers.

To  me, childhood is a valuable time, Maria Montessori In her book "The Absorbent Mind," explains how providing a proper learning environment can significantly impact a child's Education. According to psychology, Education is a natural process that a child carries out independently. It's not just about hearing words but experiencing the environment around them. (Montessori, 2018)

 

Having a curious mind is essential for continuous learning throughout our lives. As parents, we've all witnessed how our children ask an endless stream of questions from ages one to four, such as "Why," "when," and "how." They are naturally eager to explore and learn about the world around them, and we must strive for that same level of curiosity as we grow older.

 

Have you ever thought about how we learn from the moment we're born? We don't tell a baby to eat or drink; it's their natural instinct and curiosity that helps them understand when they're hungry or thirsty, As their Curiosity grows, they learn more about their surroundings and those who care for them. All of these parts work together to help us remember and grow.

 

Our learning systems have certain limitations that are worth noting. For instance, they may lack creativity, flexibility, or options. These limitations have the potential to impede our natural curiosity, which is a crucial component of learning and growth.

COVA + creativity + curiosity + Growth MINDSET and repeat.

Children must have a personalized education catering to their interests and passions. As a teacher for PK-K students, I firmly believe that learning can only be achieved through promoting creativity, curiosity, freedom of choice, authentic experiences, and a positive mindset that allows for growth. I welcome you to delve into how these values form the foundation of my educational philosophy and teaching methods.

1. I believe in Creativity flexibility.

Creativity is not the form of expression of art. It is the form of expression of ideas. (Dischler, 2009) "When children think creatively, they look beyond what is in front of them to see what could be. They explore many different angles and engage all their sense." I completely understand that learning new skills and expanding one's knowledge can be challenging. It's about having the resources and materials and creating an environment that fosters innovative and supportive learning. Learners are encouraged to explore new perspectives and ideas creatively, develop vital problem-solving abilities, and gain a deeper understanding of complex subjects. Let's work together to make learning a fun and enriching experience.

2. I believe in in The power of choice

Freedom of choice helps the development of imagination and creativity by changing the rules of learning and adjusting them to your needs. My eight-year-old daughter has been my most remarkable example of choice and creativity. She has been interested in what she is learning from an early age. I am amazed by my husband's passion for history and ancient cultures. He inspires our eight-year-old daughter, Maria, to explore and learn about various topics independently. It's astonishing how much she knows simply by following her interests. We always kept her from learning about the Mayan cultures, for example. Instead, Maria took it upon herself to watch documentaries, read books from her school library, ask questions, and seek answers. It's beautiful to see how our older daughter acts as a mentor, encouraging her siblings to be creative and make their own choices in their learning journeys. According to Dischler (2009), when children are free to choose, they focus on the learning process rather than just the end result. With this freedom, learning can become a manageable task that only involves memorizing concepts temporarily. After all, who would enjoy learning if they couldn't make choices? One of the gears of the COVA model is "Choice." in its Ebook (Harapnuik et al., 2018) mentions, "Learners are given the freedom to choose how they wish to organize, structure and present their learning experiences and share those experiences with the world. Choice also extends to the authentic project or learning opportunity." Freedom of choice helps the development of imagination and creativity by changing the rules of learning and adjusting them to your needs.

3. I believe in the art of curiosity

As learners and teachers, we can inspire children's curiosity and give them the freedom to learn in their own way. Curiosity is closely tied to inspiration and creativity. When you feel inspired, you develop an interest in learning and creatively seek ways to gain more knowledge. By modeling inspiring behaviors, you can activate a sense of curiosity in children. According to Dischler (2009), creativity and curiosity are inherently linked. One leads to the other, both vital components of problem-solving. We start by trying something new (creativity) and then explore how it works (curiosity). In my children's story, we encouraged them to choose what they wanted to learn and sparked their interest in learning. My two daughters, aged eight and three, decided to learn Italian, inspired by our family's love for Italian food. My husband and I enjoy cooking and eating Italian dishes; he listens to Italian music. As our daughters watched us, they became curious about the language and wanted to learn more. My oldest daughter found an app called Duolingo and started using it to learn Italian. This is an excellent example of how curiosity, inspiration, and creativity can lead to learning a new language using digital tools. As learners and teachers, we can inspire children's curiosity and give them the freedom to learn in their own way.

4. I believe in Authentic learning based on experiences.

"Authentic learning - Learners are given the opportunity to select and engage in authentic (A) or "real world" learning opportunities that enable them to make a genuine difference in their own learning environments." (Harapnuik et al., 2018) An essential part of children's learning is how they experience their learning. All children need experiences; children who have positive experiences early honestly reinforce their knowledge in each project. Dischler (2009) suggests that children learn best when engaged, curious, and involved in meaningful learning experiences. For preschool and primary school children, sensory experiences are essential in fostering creativity and improving their ability to learn and understand. Additionally, combining traditional and technological learning methods can be highly effective in helping children succeed in their projects. From my experience, technology has proven to be a valuable tool for my daughters' development and acquisition of new skills, creating an ideal learning environment for their growth.

4. I believe in The power of a growth mindset.

Dweck (2006, p. 186) "The great teachers believe in the growth of the intellect and talent, and they are fascinated with the process of learning" The way children approach their challenges and tests dramatically affects their learning outcomes. Their response to frustration, problems, and challenges can result in a growth or fixed mindset that may impact their learning process. Hence, it is crucial to instill and demonstrate a growth mindset in children that enables them to tackle challenges confidently. In their learning, they should prioritize the process rather than the outcome. Encourage your students to care about their progress, as without caring, nothing holds significance.

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Do what you have to do!

It may seem impossible to change our system overnight, but we have the power to disrupt our classrooms and organizations as influential thinkers. We are fortunate to live in a time where technology has created endless learning opportunities. To make a difference, consider adjusting your teaching model to incorporate technology and proposing innovative internal projects that can be expanded gradually. Utilize technology to break down mental barriers in your students' learning and take necessary steps to inspire change.

 

The power to create change lies within you and your beliefs. Your actions and attitudes can serve as a model and influence those around you, including students, colleagues, coaches, directors, and parents. While adhering to your organization's expectations, shift your focus from simply achieving grades to helping students enjoy learning and think creatively.

 

I hope your students are eager to return to school on Mondays and that they never ask you the same question - "What time are we going home?"

References:

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©2023 by MissLaguna. 

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