For a long time I thought that a class full of kids who were paying attention was the goal. As long as they aren’t talking over me then I’m happy…!
But wanting kids to pay attention is kind of a weak goal. I don’t want students who merely listen to what I’m saying. What I’m saying probably isn’t all that interesting. What I really want is to stir them up to feel something.
Emotion is what leads us, so if I set my target to an emotion rather than “please let them listen to me” I’m already ahead of the game.
The emotion I’m most often going for is excitement.
Excitement is like a flint, and from that place wild fires of learning and inspiration are possible.
The same can’t be said of listening. It’s too passive.
I’m interested in students who are leaning forward, who are interested, who are making connections to their own life and most of all connecting to possibility.
