Imagine a garden filled with vibrant, healthy plants—this is what a thriving classroom should look like.
It is possible, and this is how:
As teachers, we have the power to be the sun, shining down on our students and inspiring them to grow. And, like skilled farmers, we need to understand how to cultivate the perfect environment for our students to flourish.
Whether it’s by sharing our learning journey, providing regular feedback, or tailoring our teaching methods to each student’s needs, there are many ways to keep them motivated.
So grab your watering can, get ready to plant some seeds, and cultivate your classroom like a farmer
1- Be the Sun and Nurture Your Students’ Learning.
Telling a student to learn will not make him learn. We need to make him want to. How do we do that?
Just as crops need soil, water, and sun, students need inspiration and guidance to learn; leading by example is the key. If you are not a lifelong learner, inspiring your students to do the same is challenging. Share your learning journey, including your difficulties and successes, and encourage them to join you. It will create a strong bond and make learning a more enjoyable experience.
Be a humble teacher and accept to learn every day. Currently, I am learning Swedish. I can relate to my language students; they enjoy taking part in my learning by correcting and teaching me.
2- Observe and Don’t Blame the Crop.
Don’t blame the crop for not growing fast enough. Make your soil rich.
One of the most critical aspects of permaculture is observation. Observing gives you the tools to reflect and question how you can impact your environment to create a better relationship among the different varieties you grow.
What we do wrong:
It is easy to blame our students for not paying attention or not getting good grades. But we, teachers, are responsible, so we must find a way to get their attention. It could be because our lessons are not engaging.
How we can improve:
An excellent way to assess yourself is to observe your colleagues. Ask for feedback from teaching assistants, and find out which classes they enjoy the most. They know which teacher gets the attention of the students and how. Observing engaging teachers will help you identify what works and what needs improvement, making your lessons more engaging and effective.
3- Don’t Uproot Crops Before They Have a Chance to Grow.
Assessment is everything, right? Although measuring student progress is essential, choosing the correct method is critical. Summative assessment, like a big test at the end of the term, may not always be the best option.
Consider using a combination of formative assessments, like quizzes, oral and written feedback, to understand where your students are and adjust your teaching accordingly. Your job is to support your students’ growth and provide what they need, not force them into a standardized mold.
4- Plant the Right Seeds and Meet Individual Student Needs.
As a teacher, you can’t choose your students, but you can get to know them well enough to understand what will help them succeed. Differentiation is the key to tailoring your teaching methods to meet your students’ individual needs. Some students may need extra support and guidance, while others will excel in certain subjects and be able to lead their peers. By taking the time to understand your students, you’ll be able to engage and motivate them, leading to better outcomes.
5- Nurture Your Students’ Motivation for Sustainable Growth.
Instead of relying on industrial farming practices with harmful chemicals, teachers should adopt a sustainable principle: For growth, it’s essential to prioritize the students’ long-term health rather than just focusing on immediate results.
It’s essential to nourish your students’ motivation to keep them growing. Public compliments are a great way to motivate them, so praising them in front of their friends or other teachers and taking the time to recognize their achievements through email, text, or a phone call to their parents will go a long way.
Encourage your students with short, accessible tasks like exit tickets, and provide regular feedback, both written and verbal.
6- Weed Out Obstacles and Unleash Their Potential
The most significant pest you’d have to fight in the classroom is lack of confidence. You must remove this obstacle and build your students’ confidence. Once you have removed it, they will be able to undertake any new task without fearing failure. It is a key to unlocking their potential in any subject, and it is up to the teachers to lead their students toward confidence.
In The Biggest Little Farm, John and Molly use ducks to fight a slug invasion, a natural and holistic solution. What can you use to chase lack of confidence out of your classroom?
Takeaways
In order to create a thriving classroom filled with motivated and inspired learners, you must :
- Embrace the role of being the sun and share your learning journey to connect with your students.
- Take time to observe,
- And to assess and understand each student’s needs and tailor your teaching methods accordingly.
- Nurture their motivation and build their confidence,
- Remove obstacles preventing them from reaching their full potential.
- Embrace permaculture principles, focusing on your students’ long-term health and growth, and praise and recognize their achievements.
Like the skilled farmer, be prepared for the ups and downs, but with the right tools, techniques, and approach, you can create a thriving learning environment for your students.
Bonus: If you are looking for tips to keep your students engaged, check out this post on curriculum story-boarding.
Leave a Reply