The JOY of Student Led Learning!

 

     I have always loved teacher led learning. Even when I was a child, some of my fondest memories are of gathering my siblings around me as I taught them letters, numbers, took them on a nature walk or more. I loved leading them in learning. And I still do enjoy leading my students in learning. Having a teacher guiding students can be a wonderful way to help push them to new limits and have them learn new things they are ready for but don't have access to yet. Teacher led activities are an important part of any curriculum. 

   As I've worked longer and longer in pre-k classrooms, I am also learning to fall in love with student led learning. Student led learning has it's own advantages as well. When a student leads his or her own learning, retention is far more likely because he or she is enthusiastic and passionate about what he or she is choosing to learn. Agency based learning is powerful! It also can help ignite a spark of a love for learning, that can continue to grow in to a flame-leading to a passionate and motivated learning journey. 

     In my own class this year, I've worked to structure the class with a balance of teacher led and student led activities and learning. It has been a complete joy to see my students engage in learning with me as they have grasped the concepts I've presented. It's also been fun to see them take off in learning their own things during the student led activities. One example is every day I give my students time to write whatever they want in their notebooks. This gives them practice with their fine motor skills in a way that allows freedom. They love it! They love their notebooks. I have loved seeing them practice writing numbers, letters, words, and more just for the pure fun of it! I never instruct them on what to write, but because they are learning to be self driven learners, they enjoy practicing academic concepts. One of my students has gone as far as writing her own math problems. She's figured out addition, and loves to write out her own math equations. She beams at me every time she shows me her work, so proud of herself and feeling confident in her ability to be a self led learner! 

    My hope for my students is that through teacher led and student led learning, they will gain that deep love for learning and joy in the process, which will support them in their academic journey as they grow! I hope they always stay confident in their abilities to push themselves and find joy in learning!