What a Student Needs.

     Chapter 2 of the book Fulfilling the Promise is dedicated to the first cog in our machine.  The cogs are referenced in previous posts on this blog and in chapter one of the text.  The first cog is what the student seek or need.  The book mentions that the following is what students seek or want when they enter our classroom: Affirmation, contribution, power, purpose, and challenge.  Some teachers may not think this list is complete or even agree with it in its entirety, but as I lack experience I am going to go with what the book covers.  As I become more aware of what students are looking for I may add to the list or replace some items, but until then I am trusting the experts.  I place different importance on each item, but all of them contain beneficial ideas and each needs to be covered.

Contribution 

     Contribution is simply that when every student walks into the classroom they know that they bring a special or unique set of skills.  It is not enough for the student to receive praise from a teacher or to be told that they are needed.  Students must see that they are needed, and more importantly feel needed.  Students must know that the classroom is not complete without them and that they are important to the success of the entire group.

Purpose

     Student must understand why they are learning and how the learning applies to them and their world.  Students are more likely to apply themselves to lessons in which they see the purpose or requirement  of the knowledge.  The book mentions the old age question, "How come we have to do this?"  If we can demonstrate to the students why the lesson is valid then we are steps ahead on passing the knowledge or skill on to them.  Show students how the lesson impacts them and how it will make the world more meaningful.

Challenge

    Joel Osteen said"I want to challenge you today to get out of your comfort zone. You have so much incredible potential on the inside. God has put gifts and talents in you that you probably don't know anything about."  I do not know who Mr. Olsteen is or what he did, but I like his quote for this topic. We must help students get out of their comfort zone and reach new heights.  Each student's comfort zone is different and the challenges we offer must be different for every student.  To challenge students is to get them to take the risk of learning something new, when the possibility of failure is reality.  Long term failure, no, but initially the student is going to feel uncomfortable and that feeling will create learning. When we come up with challenges for our class we must try to challenge all not just some.

Power  

     The last two wants or needs of students I have saved for last as they are my choices for most important.  The word power could be changed with the word control.  Students need to know that they have power or control over not only their environment, but their actions and learning is well.  In the military we call this feeling "Pride in Ownership" and it basically means I will make it the best because I own it.  If students feel like they have say in how they learn and how it applies they will take more "Pride in Ownership" of their entire environment and make it the best they can. 

Affirmation

    To me, affirmation is the most critical of all things a student seeks.  Affirmation encompasses so many basic needs that it is a must have.  Students must feel accepted and safe in the classroom.  No student learns if the basic desire to feel safe is not met.  Students must have made connections with the teacher and other classmates and know that they are cared for and valued.  Once students feel the safety of acceptance let the learning begin.  This one word, affirmation, covers so many items that it is the most powerful.  This word says why there must be relationships of trust in the classroom and know that what an individual student feels is important other students do as well.  If a student never finds affirmation they will never reach their full potential.