Lighting the Fire
One practice that I bring into every connection with a student is sharing passions. I enjoy learning what they are excited about, and what gets them out of bed in the morning or keeps them up past their bedtime. Are they avid sports fans, or do they love science or space? I have found that there are two reasons why students don’t transfer their passion to school, either they feel it is not relevant to their passion, or they don’t believe they can be successful. I have put together a toolbox to overcome both of these hurdles however one small step is to ask students to hunt for inspiring quotes. These quotes may come from a family member, a famous person from history or today, someone they admire in a field of their interest, or even a generic google search of “inspiring quotes” or “motivating speeches.”
In a classroom, we gathered and shared each student’s quote and what it means to them. Listeners then have an opportunity to connect with the quote and share their interpretations. All these wise words get posted in our room as a source of inspiration. During working sessions, and sometimes on Monday mornings, students wander over to shop for a boost. In one on one work, I ask students to decide where they would like to keep their fire starters. Do they prefer a notebook they can write in and add doodles? Do they prefer theirs printed out after they have found the right inspiring background image? Etc. A vital step is having them unpack what this quote means to them. Sometimes a passage or line speaks to us. The reflection on what it means, and the translation into a child’s own words, encourages them to take ownership of the message. Their views can be profoundly deep and insightful.
Sometimes these sayings become mottos or mantras for students. Calls to the type of learner or person they would like to be. When facing a challenge they can rev themselves up and when frustration sets in you can be their cheerleader mirroring what they have identified as a helpful phrase.
As adults, in a struggling student’s life, we want to be helpers. One way we can be helpers is to set them on a journey to find what calls to them and what/who motivates them. Giving them their own flint and not just standing by their side with a lighter. This also helps them to hear even their heroes and champions face struggles and are relatable. As another bonus, this activity can take the strain off of your relationship. You are not the pusher, you get to become the listener and they get to become the sharer of wisdom they have found, like a treasure hunter. That confidence boost can become contagious in the next working session.