Coach's
Column

We had such a wonderful and reflective time at our last professional development day. We welcomed Dr. Maleka Donaldson, Assistant Professor of Education and Child Study at Smith College, as she presented "The Power of Mistakes: Creating a Positive CLASSroom Climate." We celebrated learning from mistakes by encouraging children to embrace mistakes that lead to new learning experiences, we developed strategies for a positive and supportive classroom culture and reflected on personal experiences as learners and teachers as we continue to connect theory with practice.

The workshop highlighted several important points. Including the understanding that although there are numerous ways to learn, when we make mistakes and receive corrective feedback, we are able to help learners avoid future errors. To build children's comfort with making mistakes, it is important to pay close attention to the language used when mistakes occur.

What steps can teachers take in the classroom? Key themes include:

1. Offer differentiated responses to mistakes

2. Build a positive community-focused mistake culture

3. Promote and facilitate self-correction

4. Make adjustments to instruction

5. Manage outside influences

"The greatest mistake you can make in life is to be continually afraid you will make one." - Elbert Hubbard

Wishing you all well during the holiday season,

Amanda & Todd