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Creating the Conditions:
Developing CONFIDENCE in Our Students
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Chris Wejr
www.chriswejr.com
@chriswejr
Learning Intentions
where are you at? Red? Yellow?
Green?
• I can explain the importance of self-confidence in
student learning
• I can share ideas and strategies to increase
student engagement by creating space
for student strengths and interests in the
classroom.
• I can describe formative assessment practices
that build success and confidence in learners.
• I can share ways to tap into the strengths of
students beyond the classroom walls
What brings you here?
What is YOUR question?
The Importance of Confidence
• Recall a time when you had a confident
learning experience.
– What did it look/feel/sound like?
• Recall a time when you had an anxious
learning experience.
– What did it look/feel/sound like?
• Why is confidence important in our learners?
CONFIDENCE
http://youtu.be/qzMwFm456_E
“To shift a cycle from
decline to success,
leaders must restore
people’s confidence”
--Rosabeth Moss Kanter
Arrogance
Despair
Not simply about self-esteem.
Build REAL confidence.
http://youtu.be/-DIETlxquzY
Back up to where
they are…
and get em on a
winning streak
Tom Schimmer
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CC Image by Paul Tomlin : http://flic.kr/p/bhvabR
Make it worth the effort.
Keep the
LIDS off
KIDS
CCImagefromPaulWatsonhttps://flic.kr/p/kC49
When a struggle becomes a strength
Got grit?
CC Image from az https://flic.kr/p/87VgbN
Resiliency craves
confidence…
Created by Krissy Venosdale
Risk-Taking Requires Confidence
http://youtu.be/ZV_DKgb264E
Confidence through
ASSESSMENT
Student success increases when students see clear
learning targets. With success comes confidence in
learning.
Pauline Clarke
Are we speaking the same
“language” when we talk about
assessment?
http://youtu.be/89frRi8GgGA
What is the PURPOSE
of assessment?
“When it comes to assessment, think purpose, purpose, purpose.”
Caren Cameron
Do our assessment practices
increase confidence or increase
anxiety?
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21
From
Caren Cameron
Distinct Differences
Assessment FOR
(formative)
Assessment OF
(summative)
Learning
Students
Descriptive
Daily
Measuring
Public/Parents
% # Symbols (A,B,etc)
Event
Coach Judge
Summative Assessment
Are we marking assignments
or assessing learning?
CC Image from Sam https://flic.kr/p/8ELFPw
What is the difference?
6 BIG
Formative Assessment Practices
Learning
Intentions
Success
Criteria
Descriptive
Feedback
Student
Ownership
Self and Peer
Assessment
Powerful
Questions
* *
*
Clear Learning Intentions
Let students know,
in a language they can
understand,
what they are expected to learn
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Grade 7 Science
Kris Fujita - Chiefess School
Name:
Unit:
Before AfterDestination
Comments (student, teacher):
Via Caren Cameron
Success Criteria
Work with learners
to develop criteria
so we know
“what good looks like”.
CC image from Simply CVR https://flic.kr/p/3EPVar
From
Caren Cameron
Criteria - Grade 10
Kathleen Gregory - Sooke #62
Descriptive Feedback
SUCCESS & CONFIDENCE
Feedback
Success
Criteria
Learning
Intentions
Swap Meet
Grab an index card. Write one of the following
statements and complete the thought on the card:
• One thing I am going to do in my classroom/school is…
• One thing I want to be sure to remember is…
When you are finished, walk around the room and meet
with someone you have not spoken to today. Share the
information on your cards and then exchange cards. Do
this 2 more times. Return to your table and share the
information on the new card with your group.
Confidence through
STRENGTHS &
INTERESTS
Create space
in the curriculum
for strengths and
interests
CC image from Sweetie187 https://flic.kr/p/9pKiEC
Writing Poetry Through Interests
CC slide from Bill Ferriter
https://flic.kr/p/dznabd
Daddy, why are the mountains
following us?
Inquiry
"When there is space for kids to
create, connect, explore - magic
happens”
Neil Stephenson
CC Image by Linus Bohman
https://flic.kr/p/grtNE
Inquiry: Teaching Through
Strengths and Interests
“Wonder Wall” via Kathy Rice
Project-Based Learning
CC Image by Judy Baxter https://flic.kr/p/dGFj5
Passion Projects
@_MrsBarb
IDEA FACTORY
What can we DO
– next week, next month, next year -
in classrooms/schools to use
strengths/interests to increase
confidence and engagement?
Brainstorm at your table
Categorize into classroom and school
Record and Share
Start with one lesson or one
unit
• Take a moment to reflect upon a lesson/unit that
you have recently taught or one in which you are
comfortable teaching.
• How could you incorporate the strengths/interests of
students into this lesson or unit?
• Record and share.
Connecting Strengths
Beyond the Classroom Walls
cc image by ▓▒░ TORLEY ░▒▓: http://flickr.com/photos/torley/2539392357/
Learning with meaning… with
connection.
http://youtu.be/-S-5EfwpFOk
“We have always overestimated the value
of access to information and
underestimated the value
of access to each other.”
Clay Shirky
http://www.flickr.com/photos/42931449@N07/6088751332/
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A School Built on Strengths
Reflect.
To tap into the strengths of our students
beyond our classroom walls, we can…
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Learning Intentions
where are you at now? Red? Yellow?
Green?
• I can explain the importance of self-confidence
in student learning
• I can share ideas and strategies to increase
student engagement by creating space
for student strengths and interests in the
classroom.
• I can describe formative assessment practices
that build success and confidence in learners.
• I can share ways to tap into the strengths of
students beyond the classroom walls
Looking back at
your questions…
To build real confidence in my students,
I need to:
STOP doing
doing
START doing
Get em on a winning streak.
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Connect With Me
www.chriswejr.com
About.me/ChrisWejr
@chriswejr
chriswejr@gmail.com