IPS/Butler University Laboratory School

The other day, at the end of math workshop, one of our friends was upset that they had not been able to get the correct answer for one of our division problems the first time they tried to solve it. She figured it out in a couple of minutes but was still frustrated by the process.

Instead of doing a normal sharing about our problems solving strategies at the end of math workshop that day, I decided to lead a community circle discussion about learning instead. I shared with the class that I remember being in first grade and thinking that learning how to read was really hard. I didn’t feel confident in my reading, so instead, I would just have other friends read to me. I told the kids that sometimes I felt mad or sad or frustrated when I was learning how to read, because it was hard for me. Then I shared how, in second grade, after lots and lots of practicing, I was suddenly able to read and I never stopped.

I then invited each child in our class to share a time (past or present) when they were trying to learn how to do something new and it was challenging for them. Many kids shared things that were hard for them to learn. They were very honest as they talked about their feelings. I was very proud of them!

I could tell it was good for every child to see that they were not the only one who felt challenged by learning something new. Together, we talked about strategies we could use when we were learning something and feeling frustrated. Kids said that they could…

1) Keep trying and practicing. They said they shouldn’t give up.

2) ask a friend for help.

3) Take lessons

A couple months ago a went to a class at my gym that I had never been to before. I was quickly reminded, even as an adult, how hard it can be to learn something new for the first time. It can be frustrating and even embarrassing to feel like you’re the only one who doesn’t know how to do something.

What a great reminder to remember what learning can look like for our kids. In the coming weeks, and throughout the rest of the year, I intend to have more opportunities to come together as a class and celebrate our EFFORTS towards learning. Really, that is so much of what learning is all about!

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