I Wish My Students Knew . . .

Before reading this post, can you reflect on this question? 
What do you wish your students knew? 
I'd love for everyone who reads this post to share 3 wishes for their students in the comments below. 

Over the years I've read and explored a variety of educational posts with a wish list of what teachers want students to know. Some of these posts have been very positive and some have mixed in a bit of teacher frustration. Some have gone in some unique directions. I will link to a few that I've saved to Pocket over the years at the end of this post. 



My list is not meant to be complaints about my students. I love all of my students and my goal is for each of them to embrace life-long learning. Please, consider my 3 wishes to be proactive goals and not frustrating failures. Here are my 3 wishes for my students. 
I wish my students remembered what it was like to be curious. I teach high school and too often my students get so focused on what they think they need to know that they forget to ask questions and explore what they want to know. 

I wish my students knew that the best learners are active participants. I've shifted to a student-centered classroom model, but I still have kids ask me to lecture. They just want me to tell them stuff so they can passively engage in the learning experience. They should not be waiting for someone else to tell them what is important, they should be telling me and each other what is important. 

I wish my students knew that the journey is more important than the end result. I believe that the best learning experiences connect almost everything to the 4 Cs of collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity. Content is important, but the process of learning is a skill that we all need to develop. 


I could probably continue to add wishes, but I think three is enough for now. 

Here are a few more posts about what students should know.


I'd love for everyone who reads this post to share 3 wishes for their students in the comments below. 


4 comments:

  1. 1. I wish my students knew that if they just persevered a little longer they would experience the amazing feeling of accomplishment.
    2. I wish my students knew that at one time I too was a student who struggled with academics and feelings of social inadequacy, and because of this I empathize and would be honored to help/listen.
    3. I wish my students knew I love to laugh and play as much as they do.

    ReplyDelete
  2. 1. I wish my students knew that taking risks in the classroom is OK. Taking risks will help them learn how to problem-solve and develop grit.

    2. I wish my students knew that they have so much potential. Their lives are just beginning. Anything is possible.

    3. I wish my students knew that learning in all forms is a life-long journey. Our lives become fuller when we meet new people, realize our goals and dreams, and strive for excellence.

    ReplyDelete
  3. 1) I wish my students knew that mistakes are part of the process... and they're good for us!
    2) I wish my students knew that someone loves them.
    3) I wish my students knew that all the drama of school will truly not matter after they've graduated. (Wish I knew that back in the day!)

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