From On-Task to Engaged

Working with gifted students has required for me to make an adjustment in the way I teach...go figure.  I was giving a lot of thought the other day to all that I learned during this 1st half of the year.  Any time I change the population of students I work with, I learn at least as much as they do throughout the first couple of years.  I guess that's why I like the change.  I get to learn and be engaged in a new grade, new topic, or new challenges...I love that!  By moving, I've given myself the opportunity to once again be engaged in what I do.  Don't we want to give our students that same opportunity?

A couple of years ago, this idea of compliance vs. engagement came in to play from an educational leadership standpoint.  The implementation of a program for our staff was, in my eyes, compliance.  Teachers would say, "Just tell me what you want me to do and I'll do it."  Almost sounds like a kid.  The teachers weren't looking to really delve in and read the research, or how it has been successful, they merely wanted to do what was being asked.  Compliance.

When I came across this article by Brian Harris, I just had to pass it on.  It's about providing environments for student engagement.  Giving students the chance to be excited about their learning will make it more meaningful.

This link will take you to Bryan's website with other great ideas about student engagement.