Observing with Fresh Eyes

Finding the Gifts in Each

In the forward to the second edition of "Judicious Discipline", Barbara McEwan states, "The essence of Judicious Discipline is the appreciation of each student as a human being with diverse needs and abilities."  In the same edition, Richard Jensen, in giving us the key to a democratic classroom, says, "The democratic approach is based upon equal worth."  The appreciation and value of each student is based on recognizing the abilities, strengths and interests of each student.

How do we practice giving permanent value to each we teach?  Beyond a conviction that each person is to be valued, it helps if we see for ourselves the unique pattern of gifts in each.   There are two activities that give us a good beginning.  One is a ranking in multiple intelligences, this is the other.

This activity may be started and continued at any time, it is most useful early in the year.  It is a private activity carried out by the instructional leader, yet will be helpful for later planning.

Age Group:
Any

Objective:
To increase appreciation and understanding of those in our learning communities by noting the "gifts in each."

Time:
First week of contact with a new group of students.

Materials:
Class roster with room for notes after each name.

Procedure:
Simply take a list of the students you are currently responsible for guiding in their learning and begin to list the gifts in each.

Here is a sample list from a 4-6 cross grade reading group:

Adam:  Best drawer, artistic, social leader, a skateboarder

Brandie:  Collects pins, a loyal follower, directness helps teacher keep on task

Carla:   Quiet friendship, loves to read, usually on-task

Dawn:  Creative writer and poet, sensitive to social issues, good photographer

Eric:  Very intelligent, math/computer whiz, creative

Jamie:  Punctual, dependable, enjoys responsibility

Ken:  "Glue" to help keep the class together, a good citizen, collects baseball cards

Kyle:  A "Go for it" kid, maintains the highest standards

Meghan:  Best skier, friendly smiles, an entrepreneur and a good planner

Russ:  Races 4-wheelers and is a free style cyclist, learns easily

Sabrina:  "Why don't we?" type -  keeps class moving, gets along well with everyone

Sarah:  Reads most difficult books, loves a challenge

Shelby:  Very intelligent, good actress and does accents well

Tobin:  Good communicator, asks penetrating questions, analyzer,  best penmanship

Notice the range of items.  There are abilities which indicate strengths in all of the multiple intelligences.  Notice also, that some of the items may have initially been perceived as negative (directness helps teacher) and has been turned into a benefit for the community.  By looking for strengths the teacher begins to think of what the learning community can accomplish as a unit.  Very often specific themes of study will begin to emerge from observing the students' strengths and abilities.

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