“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5
Amanda Albright
BCS@Home Administrator
As part of my teacher-preparation courses in college, I took a “math methods” class, where we studied how to teach math to students. My professor told us that one of his techniques to support teachers was to have them walk throughout their classes helping students without a pencil in their hands. He said when teachers walked around holding a pencil, they were just so tempted to solve problems for students, instead of supporting students in solving their own problems. He also laughed as he told us he had watched teachers walk around their classes without a pencil, only to grab a pencil from a student’s hand when they just really wanted to show a student what to do. He challenged us to “leave the pencil in the student’s hand,” remembering that teachers must guide the learning process, without taking the work of learning away from students.
I was reminded of this story as I observed BCS@Home classes this week. Our learning model places the responsibility and ownership for learning with our students. Students are the ones holding the pencils, working with their learning tools, in charge of their own learning process. In addition to the math, reading, writing, and more that they’re learning in their classes, I’m excited to see the ownership and independence they’re practicing as well. As they exercise these learning muscles, students are on their way to becoming life-long learners.
It is a privilege to partner with you and your family. Thank you for sharing your child(ren) with us!
