Teachers make mistakes. We are not perfect. I believe we are held to a very high standard, and I believe we should be held to a very high standard.
Last week I made a mistake in one of my classes. It has been bothering me all weekend. I had planned on placing my students into small groups BEFORE class for a poetry analysis activity. Unfortunately, I got side tracked that morning and ran out of time. When it was time to get students into groups, I realized I had forgotten to create the groups! Then I got what I thought was a "brilliant" idea. It was anything but brilliant. I keep a cup full of Popsicle sticks on my desk with a student's name on each one. I picked a student's name out of the cup and told them they could pick two people to work with. Very soon, I realized I had made a HUGE mistake and wished immediately I could have a "do over."
Basically, by allowing students the opportunity to pick students to work with, I was creating an uncomfortable situation for all to witness. Not only were the "pickers" on the spot to pick "two" friends to work with, but those who weren't "picked" were left out! I felt awful. Before it got too far, I apologized to the students and told them I had goofed. I quickly put the remaining students into groups.
My mistake reminded me of the countless times in school when our teachers picked team captains for P.E. and allowed them to pick students for their teams. I was always the last one picked, and it was awful. I hope that none of my students will remember my mistake 36 years later! Teachers make mistakes. We are not perfect. Sometimes all we can do is so "I am sorry" and mean it.
Last week I made a mistake in one of my classes. It has been bothering me all weekend. I had planned on placing my students into small groups BEFORE class for a poetry analysis activity. Unfortunately, I got side tracked that morning and ran out of time. When it was time to get students into groups, I realized I had forgotten to create the groups! Then I got what I thought was a "brilliant" idea. It was anything but brilliant. I keep a cup full of Popsicle sticks on my desk with a student's name on each one. I picked a student's name out of the cup and told them they could pick two people to work with. Very soon, I realized I had made a HUGE mistake and wished immediately I could have a "do over."
Basically, by allowing students the opportunity to pick students to work with, I was creating an uncomfortable situation for all to witness. Not only were the "pickers" on the spot to pick "two" friends to work with, but those who weren't "picked" were left out! I felt awful. Before it got too far, I apologized to the students and told them I had goofed. I quickly put the remaining students into groups.
My mistake reminded me of the countless times in school when our teachers picked team captains for P.E. and allowed them to pick students for their teams. I was always the last one picked, and it was awful. I hope that none of my students will remember my mistake 36 years later! Teachers make mistakes. We are not perfect. Sometimes all we can do is so "I am sorry" and mean it.
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| My Sixth-Grade Class-Such an Awkward Time! I got left out...A LOT |
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