Filling in the Blanks

On three separate occasions last week, I heard three different teachers complain that their students were incapable of completing simple tasks like a fill-in-the-blanks handout or a research assignment which included step-by-step instructions, including websites where to find information. I can appreciate my colleagues' frustration as I've been there many times myself and, like them, I found it inconceivable that my students couldn't just do the work. What's the problem?

I wonder to what extent teachers consider the value of the work that they provide their students. I suspect that most, if not all teachers, have participated in PD in which they've felt that what they were being told or asked to do was pointless or, at the very least, of little value to them; however, I would guess that most of these teachers would go through the motions and do the required work. I think that this is part of the reason as to why teachers feel frustrated with students -- some kids won't go through the motions...and, in many cases, it's understandable why. What's the point of completing a fill-in-the-blanks handout or completing a project that requires little thought and creativity?

What if we provided work for students that was meaningful to them? What if we gave them a sense of autonomy and purpose and we emphasized the importance of mastery, giving students multiple opportunities to fail and learn? Is it possible to challenge students and ask them to create, solve problems and ask questions while collaborating with their peers, learning together and sharing their learning not just with their teachers but with the world? How can we do all of this and at the same time ensure that students are learning the provincial curriculum as mandated by the Ministry of Education?

In Kitchener, Groh Public School will open its doors in September 2017. I have no affiliation with Groh but I'm excited about its goals: "We will prepare children to thrive in our rapidly changing world that puts a premium on a growth mindset in all areas of the curriculum.  Students will develop a growth mindset – enabling students to see opportunities for improvement, take initiative and collaborate with others to turn their ideas into action."


According to the school website, Groh's approach to education will be on creating authentic learning opportunities through project based learning. For many schools and boards of education this is nothing new, but for Kitchener and area Groh may be the first school in which all classes from K-8 take a PBL approach. I admit that I'm kind of nervous for the teachers and administration of Groh. What if they fail? What if the students don't learn? What will the parents say/do? These are questions that I will ask the principal of Groh, Helmut Tinnes, when I meet him later this week. 

I will also be sure to ask Tinnes whether he thinks that his teachers will use fill-in-the-blanks handouts and step-by-step projects outlined by the teacher...or not.