justplainbil

Just Plain Bill

“The best way to learn something…”

The best way to learn something is to teach somebody!

This statement has been voiced by many sources over the years and stems from the Latin principle, Docendo discimus, “By teaching we learn.”

A lifelong educator, I was recently reminded of this truism when I assumed a seven-week, long-term substitute assignment with a third-grade class. In addition to their regular teacher who was in and out of class since the beginning of the school year, the students had three substitutes before me –– and I was challenged with helping them get “settled”, and “catching them up” with the grade level expectations. The vice principal also hoped I could “rekindle” the students’ beliefs in their abilities to do good work, and enhance their “love of school.”

Starting with math, I learned there were eight students who were competent and were working ahead in the math book. Next, I noticed a different group of ten students who’d mastered the next unit in the language book. And finally, a similar group demonstrated exceptional writing skills.

In consultation with the whole class, we established a “master” designation for these disciplines, and students were eager to serve as tutors for colleagues in need of assistance.

I was pleasantly surprised that most of the students designated as “masters” understood my suggestion that they first ask what their colleagues did not understand, then show them how to complete assigned tasks, and then allow their colleagues to apply their new skills… not just have the work done for them by their tutors. (That was a long-winded description of the simple approach I use in teaching: Ask, show, and perform.)

Once again, I was thrilled by the solutions to many learning challenges residing right before my eyes, by the competencies and the helping attitudes of the students – as teachers.