This image taken by Valencia
Winston, from the digitally downloaded textbook.
I loved, loved, loved reading the “Art of Possibility” by
Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander. Throughout my journey, I have read
similar books in the genre and have gained enormous insight from most. The
concept that looking outside of our own boxes, and boxes defined by society,
our teachers, parents and friends, really would open up an entire world of new
possibilities. The time spent in the text, discussing Ben Zander’s decision
about giving all of his orchestra students an “A” grade, illustrated this
viewpoint. The criteria to write from a point in the future, in which they had
received the desired grade, allowed them the freedom to learn their way. This was brilliant!
I tried a similar approach with my advanced students, this
past school year. Often after finding
out what grade they would receive on their report cards, negoiations would
begin. I begin to really resent these discussions, because many of these were
from students who had done nothing to improve their grades. I decided to give
them a rubric for every project, and have them grade themselves based on those
standards. Each standard was given a
point value that would together equal 100pts. My only requirement was that they
be honest, and provide evidence for giving themselves the grade. The plan
worked beautifully. They no longer questioned me, because it they did not do
the work and have evidence to provide, they had no choice but to be honest.
This week’s reading provided me with different perspectives
on a personal relationship with a family member, that has been strained and
full of friction at times. I’ve decided
to give this person an A. I am so excited about what possibilities will unfold,
since I have decided to “draw some lines” outside of the box!
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ReplyDeleteValencia Winston - I love that you let your students take ownership of, and responsibility for, their own grades. It's when you finally let them be proactive and make the efforts, where you will see the most growth. There are no more excuses. It's up to them to make it happen or there are no complaints. It definitely goes with the saying, "The proof is in the pudding"--the quality of their work can only be judged by the effort that they put forth. Great job!
ReplyDeleteIsn't it funny how certain things can work with one class, but not with others? I think that each class that I get definitely takes on it's own personality and since there are 20 kids, you never know what techniques will work until you try them. For instance, the fact that Benjamin Zander was able to give all of his orchestra students an “A” grade and let them have the freedom to learn their way was great, but then when you applied the same technique in you class you had students who had done nothing to improve their grades until they had to evaluate themselves. Interesting...
Vee, your observation about boxes on the personal, educational, societal, and family levels is spot on. Your experimental project with your advanced students was an excellent example of how the reading is already part of your culture in the classroom, too! Your approach reminds of the quote from the video portion we viewed this week by Zander. It spoke of "the bird that flies over the field and doesn't care about the fences below." You certainly have a culture that isn't afraid to work outside the boxes of standardization and the "measurement world." The reading also left me free to assess, measure, or invent when needed, especially when standardization falls short.
ReplyDeleteI'm also relating to your reference to your family member. My Dad came into mind when Zander wrote about his own father and how he would have graded him. Then the note fell out on the floor and he discovered another angle about his Dad. Like you, I find the reading had some interesting application on our professional and personal relationships. Excellent post!!!
Vee,
ReplyDeleteThis is my first time reading a book from this genre, but I must agree that I have gained enormous insight from it. This concept of Giving an "A" mat be difficult in my math class, but the philosophy of it will surely be attempted next year. In ministry and my relationships outside of academia, I have always tried to give people "A"s, even when their behavior and actions did not warrant it. My experience with this has been positive for the most part and even though I have been burned sometimes, the good I have seen come out of it far outweighs the negative. I wish you blessings on your endeavor to give your family member an "A". I pray that it alleviates the strain on your relationship. Remember...there is no box.