The Art of Possibility (charters 1- 4)
I am glad we are assigned this book to read. It is really encouraging and challenging at the same time. It requires not just reading but also putting into practice what it says.
Yesterday, I told my students that everybody had already an A in the computer laboratory work if they would go quietly from our classroom to that place. I told the students that if I listened to anybody talking I would deduct points from their grade. Everybody was quiet! We left 20 minutes after starting the class. So we wouldn’t interrupt the other classes.
With this specific situation, it just brought to my mind, my experience that I had in England as a Spanish assistant. I was assigned to teach Spanish to a group of ten students who wanted to take a Spanish test to get credits for the University. The interesting part was that I did not have to give grades!! I was more focused on what each of the students needed to work on, and make sure they would understand each topic covered in class.
I felt it was a relaxing environment for both sides. No pressure for the teacher to hand in grades, and no pressure for students to think in getting a grade. I noticed they were really interested in learning. At the end of the course, the students took the Spanish test for the University and they did very well. I always dream in having another chance like that!! I really enjoyed that experience and I know my students as well.
