How a simple drawing exercise sparked engagement in Mette’s classroom!
Dec 06, 2024Meet Mette, a 1st-grade teacher determined to spark joy in every student. But her history lessons often left some kids disengaged, and she knew something had to change.
How do you create an inclusive learning environment that inspires enthusiasm from every child, not just a few?
While some were captivated during her history lessons, others remained distant—quiet but disinterested. She noticed some students staring blankly, doodling in the margins, or avoiding eye contact during her history lessons.
Determined to bring her entire class into the joy of learning, she turned to our allLearners framework for inspiration.
💡 The Breakthrough Moment: With our guidance, Mette explored two key principles:
- Freedom to Experiment & Research: She gave students autonomy to interpret the story in their unique way.
- Let Yourself Be Driven Crazy for the Unknown: She resisted the urge to intervene and let curiosity lead the way.
Inspired by these principles, she stepped outside her comfort zone and introduced a creative approach:
She read a short story aloud to her students and asked them to express what they enjoyed and learned by drawing their own cartoons.
The twist?
She resisted the urge to intervene immediately when some struggled, choosing instead to observe.
By holding back, allowing autonomy, and introducing an element of creativity through drawing, Mette transformed her classroom into a space where curiosity and motivation thrived.
Students naturally began helping each other—asking questions, collaborating, and even offering constructive feedback. Mette focused on celebrating these interactions while gently guiding when needed.
Even without formal assessments, Mette could see exactly what each student had learned, proving the power of hands-on, self-directed engagement.
By fostering autonomy and trust, she discovered a profound change: her students’ motivation soared.
🌟 The Lesson: Sometimes, holding back is the key to moving forward.
Mette's story shows the incredible results that come from empowering students and embracing the unknown.
How do you empower students by holding back?
