Analyzing Your Mistakes: Get The Lesson

The other day I heard another teacher say "These students are victims of excellence." At first I was perplexed by this statement but after reflection it made sense to me. Often this drive to be perfect is internal, leading students to base academic success on grades. It can also be external, parents pushing their children to be the best athlete, the best musician, the best writer or artist. Parents and students are often afraid of mediocrity and being average. There is nothing wrong with being within the average most people are. But this idea of having to be the top 3% is infectious. Often leading to detrimental effects.

Mistakes as teachers know are learning experiences. They are a source of understanding but students and often parents see them as failures. The more opportunities teachers provide for students to fail the better off students will be emotionally. Students need to see that persistence can lead to overcoming adversity and challenges but not always. Sometimes no matter how dedicated and motivated we are as learners the knowledge just doesn't solidify. We struggle, we get frustrated but we need to recognize the struggle and face it head on. Ask questions and get help. If we set up remediation and enrichment circles and students are comfortable with visiting both, they will more likely to choose what they need not what they want.

When students have an opportunity to correct their mistakes, face their misconceptions and not just move on but reflect on why they were wrong, they will understand their error and find confidence in overpowering them. Empowerment comes from reflection. Feedback is also critical because students need to recognize that mistakes are welcomed in the classroom environment with activities and exploration. But they need to acknowledge and deal with failure before any formal evaluation occurs. We need to be guiding students to be rational thinkers who accept challenges and failures as part of the learning process. By modeling failure in the classroom students become self-aware, less judgmental, and open to new experiences without fear of inadequacy or defeat.

Choice of demonstration of knowledge is one of the best ways to instill independence. Problem-solving and inquiry together with choice provides students with outlets they feel comfortable with. But it is a teachers responsibility to push their students outside of these comfort zones. To challenge, frustrate, and propel their students to take the leap out of a fixed mindset and into a growth one. Out of the box and into a realm of endless possibilities and paths. If we instill curiosity, confidence, interest, relevance and rigor students will be engaged and eager to combat any conundrum we present them with.