Our adventures today included a couple hours at a bouncy castle place in the mall. While the kids
were cavorting around the attractions, I pondered how this space was so different from school- filled to capacity on a Sunday afternoon. What are the qualities of an area like this that generates so much interest and is filled to capacity? I ask you to consider the following three questions as you consider if your school is like a bouncy castle:
Question #1- Would Your Students Pay To Be At Your School?
The answer is probably no for the vast majority of students around the world, but how do we change this?
+Dave Burgess asks this question in his book titled "Teach LIke A Pirate" and the idea really resonated with me. Making class lessons closer to experiences and happenings attracts students to engage, enjoy and ultimately learn.
Question #2- Is Your School Fun?
Go ahead- ask you students if school is fun. I bet most of them say definitively
no. Why can't school be fun? Play games and laugh, learning is supposed to be part of life- not something imposed. Listening to all the children (and some adults too) laughing and talking made me wish that students could just "let go" and enjoy their time at school. Childhood is a fleeting moment where we are free from the overbearing constraints of life. Why not allow students to have fun. We play Minecraft in class with scenarios connected to content and it is amazing to hear the students exclaim that this is the most fun they've ever had at school! The best part of gaming is that while students are having fun they are learning.
Question #3- Can Students Fall Down And Get Back Up?
Spend fifteen minutes watching kids playing in a bouncy castle. You'll quickly see that they are constantly falling over, getting small bumps, but
they always get back up. Our modern schools discourage falling down (failing) with "no excuses" or "zero tolerance for failure" mantras. Harsh grading policies which focus on compliance rather than understanding or attempt to put a number on behavior damage students love of the learning process. Contrasting with modern thought on playground rules, the primary school in
this article located in New Zealand drastically reduced their rules on the playground they found that bullying stopped and kids were so absorbed in their imaginations and "developed resilience". It is correct to understand that New Zealand has quite a different culture, but the idea remains that if we allow students to experiment, build confidence and fall down they ultimately grow to be stronger in the long run.
How Does Your School Stack Up?
I'm guessing your school has playground rules,
is there a school in North America that doesn't? But seriously, ask yourself, your staff and your students these three questions. The answers will illuminate the type of experience the kids who come to your school each day have. We all want our students to enjoy school, but creating an environment that is fun, safe, yet challenging gives everyone want they need. If you are looking for inspiration, just go to your local bouncy castle place!
