Allison Behne
May 31, 2013
When I was growing up, we went to my grandma's house every Sunday for lunch. I always looked forward to it because we'd be surrounded by grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Another highlight was Grandma's home-cooked meals. She was an amazing cook! The only thing I didn't like were the vegetables that ended up on my plate each Sunday. They were always the last thing left, staring me down, preventing my departure from the table.
Fortunately for me, in addition to being a good cook, my grandma was a good problem solver. She offered me a large serving spoon and said I could eat my vegetables with the big spoon if I wanted. It was a novelty, something different, and worked like a charm. Those unappetizing vegetables tasted better on the big spoon than they did on my regular spoon.
My grandma took something I viewed as unpleasant and made it not only doable, but enjoyable. By simply changing one small thing, she altered my view and did so without a struggle. Wouldn't it be great if we could do the same for our students?
Each day, we teach a room full of students with varying personalities and abilities. Some love to read. Others love math. Some students are there solely for the social aspects school has to offer. Yet we must teach reading to children who don't like to read, math to children who don't like math, and independent learning skills to children who prefer to socialize. This is not a simple task, but I do believe it is possible.
Reflecting on what I learned from my grandma, I realize I need to look for the "serving spoon" that will inspire my students to digest the unpalatable. Maybe it's providing choice over the books they read, the place they sit, or the order in which they do Daily 5. Perhaps it's providing opportunities to share at the end of the day, time to read with a buddy, or the privilege of using a special bookmark. Possibly it will be through the empowerment they feel after learning a new reading strategy. I may not find their "serving spoon" on the first try, or even the second, but if I keep trying, I know I'll find it. I encourage you to do the same.