Teacher Tip Tuesday: Identify Growth

This time of the year invites the opportunity for teachers and students to reflect on the growth that has been made throughout the school year. As educators, we become used to the pattern of growth from fall to spring. For our students, they may need guidance in noticing the progress they have made. Consider how you might invite opportunities in your classroom to intentionally highlight growth. 

But let’s take it a step further. There is great power in demonstrating for students the potential impact of their growth. They may be accustomed to hearing, “Wow! Look at how far you’ve come!” Or, “I’m so proud of all the growth you’ve made this year!” These statements are so encouraging and incredibly important. Let’s add some purpose to them as well. We can add statements and questions like, “Now what? What are you going to do with all that progress?” Or, “Tell me how your growth in making strong friends has strengthened our classroom community!” Or, “How are you going to use these writing skills you’ve been working hard on to share your voice in the world?”

These conversations are filled with authentic pride, belief, and potential. When we take the time, thought, and effort to attach a deeper purpose to students’ growth, it may bring about a better understanding for students about why they are working so hard. It’s not just about the grade or the test score. As they grow as readers, writers, mathematicians, artists, scientists, athletes, and so on, they are building skills and strengths that make their homes, schools, and communities stronger. But they may need our light to see it.

This Friday, for our Friday Freebie, I’ll be sharing a resource you can use with your students to help them identify areas they’ve grown this school year and the connected impact. Check it out!