Every morning, I am waken by the banging of hammers as houses are being built around me. The traffic comes and goes; however, nothing adds to your level of frustration when the concrete truck and the boom are getting setup to pour the walls of the basement and foundation. Nonetheless, in construction, this is the MOST important process.
So what happens when the foundation is slightly off?
The people who pour the foundation have one job… pour the foundation. Once it has been poured, they move on to the next lot, form the area, and pour another foundation. When the next group arrives, they then take the original plan, compare measurements and begin to construct the frame of the house. At this point, if the foundation is off, they go back to the plan and make the appropriate adjustments so that the house will have walls at 90 degrees and a perfectly pitched roof. As the framers make cuts to the lumber the form of the house begins to take shape.
As each trade does their part of the build, the house begins to look more like a house and less like match sticks. Throughout the process, there are inspections that ensure that the house-build can continue. If something does not pass inspection, that portion needs to be redone with the proper adjustments. The particular trade will coordinate with another as they work together to fix the issue. It is very important to note that if a particular portion does not pass inspection, the house is not demolished. That portion is fixed, the build continues and VOILA you have a house.
So does this parallel to education?
It all begins with the lessons taught by parents/guardians and family friends. They teach their child what they know and believe to be important. At a specific age, these parents/guardians place their child in a formal educational settings, which includes home school. It is at this point where it is important to have that trusting relationship because all to often than not, the parents/guardians cannot teach beyond a certain point, which is just like those who pour foundations.
Great teachers spend a huge amount of time planning their units and lessons. Great teachers take those lessons, see who the students are in front of them, and make the appropriate adjustments to ensure learning. Just like inspections during a house-build, teachers utilize assessment as and of learning, which inform them of the necessary changes that have to be done prior to moving forward. By using clear learning goals, success criteria, and descriptive feedback, teachers can make the appropriate changes in their delivery methods. Nevertheless, if a delivery method is not clear, great teachers collaborate with other great teachers who have attempted the needed delivery method. At no time, is the student thought to be broken and thrown away. Great teachers see there is a gap in a specific learning need/skill and address it before moving forward.
And once that gap is addressed, the learning continues, and VOILA you have a life-long learner!
The Thoughts of Burt 