Hooray for mistakes!!!!!!

   Mistakes have a negative reputation.  What if we celebrated mistakes? To make a mistake means you took a risk and put yourself out there regardless of the possibility of being wrong.  If none of us ever made mistakes, there would be no need for teachers.  "Great - you made a mistake.  I applaud you for trying and here is how you find the correct answer."  Your students would freak out! (Mine did).  But, you would have their attention and isn't that what this is all about - getting the students to listen?  We need to praise mistakes and embrace them as a part of learning.  It's a teachable moment only if students don't feel bad about being wrong.  If that happens, teachers are being bullies and that is never productive.  I don't think making someone feel stupid has ever improved their learning.

  There is another side to this.  We have been made to feel that if students aren't learning, it is definitely the teacher's fault.  If a student makes a mistake, is it a reflection of the teaching that's occurred?  Maybe but maybe not.  Teaching is not a recipe.   You don't add a teacher, 20 students, books and a classroom and - abracadabra!  Knowledge is gained!!!!  There are many variables involved in a classroom experience.  Many of these a teacher has no control over - the student's lack of sleep, poor diet, chaotic home life.  This can be very frustrating for  teachers - we put our best stuff out there and learning doesn't happen!!!  Teachers are constantly evaluating themselves as to whether a lesson "worked" or not.  So, try something different.  Celebrate mistakes and see what happens!  At the very least, you'll get their attention.  Hip, hip hooray for ..... MISTAKES!

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How to motivate and be sensitive to your students and yourself !!!!!!!                                

  Yuk!  Purple french fries??  Are you kidding??  That sounds terrible and how can that help me??  One might think about it that way but it might be good.  Remember the great book, "Green Eggs and Ham"?    The character would never try it.  But, when he did, he loved it!  We are so mistrusting of the new or unusual ideas, that we discount them immediately! 

"So what does this have to do with me?" you might ask, "Blue and purple potatoes originated in South America and have begun to gain popularity in the United States.  Blue and purple potatoes are most available in the fall.  These relatively unknown tubers have a subtle nutty flavor and flesh that ranges from dark blue or lavender to white".  (www.foodreference.com)  This blog suggests thinking differently about your students and your teaching.  There may be some strategies you could use or, at least, think about.  It's important to get the conversation started, if only in your head.  Are you ready?