Feedback is an essential element of teaching. Teachers and students give it in every move we make. It’s implicit in our actions. So I do my best to notice how kids approach a problem; how they sit as they read or write. And then ask questions about it. In the hopes of understanding and offering opportunities for them to understand their practice, their successes, and their struggles. But with a big classroom, those one-on-one moments just can’t happen enough. So when a kiddo offers explicit, unsolicited feedback, in the midst of the work, I am amazed. And I take note.
Last week I asked students to work on math problems on their own.”Just for me to see where you are in this work.” I could tell from their body language, and general unrest this was hard. Feedback received. But when I looked over their work, I got more.
By looking at her answers, which were correct, I would have assumed she “got it.” But with her self-designated “hardness level,” she gave me feedback I would have missed. And it made me wonder, what else am I missing?
I ask explicit questions about our classroom and the work. But am I asking the right questions, and are their being asked at the right times? With her response to the task, it made me realize that this is something that needs to be honored and included. Kids have things to say all the time. I need a manageable and meaningful way of soliciting it.
Next time and every time I ask students to “show me where they are in the work” I’ll add this prompt: Hardness level? Simple and naturally differentiated.
Just one example of what my student taught me this week.
Love that hardness scale! What a great way to show where difficulty lies. Students don’t realize how much they can teach their teachers.
I love the hardness scale your student invented. Great way to get feedback quickly.
I think adding the hardness level self-assessment is a great idea, Julieanne. Thanks for sharing.
Sounds like a good idea, Julieanne. I do wonder if no matter whether they “get it” or not, they still might rate it “hard” because it is. Perhaps talking about the feelings about “hard things” will help. It is okay to have something be hard. Do you think that’s what she might mean? Interesting to contemplate.
Very interesting indeed. Thank you for this. So important to develop a conversation around this. Persevering in hard times is so important.
They can teach us so much, if we ask and listen.
That is such a simple way to get student feedback! Students are so intuitive, I love that she added this to her work
To repeat what Aileen said above, I had a mentor who said to me when I first started teaching: “Listen to the kids; they’ll tell you what they need to know.” It’s so caring of you to try to get insight into what they are thinking and feeling. I’m sure it will make a world of difference for them to have those conversations with you.
The hard-easy rating is part of conversation about comfort and learning zones. In this case the answer isn’t the most important but the reflection on learning assets and mindset. How great that your students go beyond the answer.
Interesting to read this in the context of Linda’s wise comment – you have both given me something to think about this morning!
Love how this one simple question – hardness level? gives you so much valuable feedback.
I am always happy to be learning from students. I like this way of evaluating with a hardness level.