Yes!! This happens all the time with my students. And sometimes, even if I do know the answer, I pretend I don't and we figure out how best to search for our answer. Kids have to know that it is okay to not know everything, and it is okay to ask for help in finding answers.
Most definitely. If your kiddo asks a question - especially if its a *good* question like 'Why is the sky Blue'? You look thoughtful, say you're not sure, and then say - let's go find out... and look it up TOGETHER.
It's better to say I don't know than claiming one knows everything. Boy my boys had a German teacher teaching English (when they went to a German school). The teacher of my eldest made several mistakes but wouldn't admit to it when my son told her so. The one of the younger one would often ask, is that right, Philip? Guess who the students respected more?
I had a few similar experiences. Teachers all too often HATE being corrected by students. I prefer the idea that teaching is learning twice... We are LONG past the point where anyone can know everything about even one subject. I think that people - especially teachers - feel that ignorance is a sign of weakness. Not admitting that you know something and, worse, pretending you do know it even when you clearly don't is a BIG sign of weakness. Be humble - admit that you're HUMAN...
I told my son, don't correct her anymore and he said, but I can't let her teach the others bad English. She didn't want to acknowledge any mistakes. My sons grew up bilingual and their English was more or less their native language. As I said, Philip's teacher was a lot better there and was happy to ask.
My kids had a great director at their school. Not only did he introduce "learn how to learn" into the schedule, he also would sit down during their breaks with those who just didn't get it.
7 comments:
Yes!! This happens all the time with my students. And sometimes, even if I do know the answer, I pretend I don't and we figure out how best to search for our answer. Kids have to know that it is okay to not know everything, and it is okay to ask for help in finding answers.
Most definitely. If your kiddo asks a question - especially if its a *good* question like 'Why is the sky Blue'? You look thoughtful, say you're not sure, and then say - let's go find out... and look it up TOGETHER.
It's better to say I don't know than claiming one knows everything. Boy my boys had a German teacher teaching English (when they went to a German school). The teacher of my eldest made several mistakes but wouldn't admit to it when my son told her so. The one of the younger one would often ask, is that right, Philip? Guess who the students respected more?
I had a few similar experiences. Teachers all too often HATE being corrected by students. I prefer the idea that teaching is learning twice... We are LONG past the point where anyone can know everything about even one subject. I think that people - especially teachers - feel that ignorance is a sign of weakness. Not admitting that you know something and, worse, pretending you do know it even when you clearly don't is a BIG sign of weakness. Be humble - admit that you're HUMAN...
I told my son, don't correct her anymore and he said, but I can't let her teach the others bad English. She didn't want to acknowledge any mistakes. My sons grew up bilingual and their English was more or less their native language. As I said, Philip's teacher was a lot better there and was happy to ask.
YES! People underestimate how important it is to learn how to find valid information. And how to ask questions. And in general, HOW to learn.
My kids had a great director at their school. Not only did he introduce "learn how to learn" into the schedule, he also would sit down during their breaks with those who just didn't get it.
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