Educators around the world have taken up a simple, high-leverage habit: moments of genuine connection. Armed with clipboards and simple class rosters, these folks try to engage each of their students in 30-90 second interactions. The goal is simple: communicate to the child that they are valued, known, and respected. “Rubi, it’s good to see […]
Search Results for: moments of genuine connection
Moments of Genuine Connection: A Piece of Paper, a Clipboard, and a Goal
Neat Update, Fall 2020: This strategy has been featured at Cult of Pedagogy! You can find it here. When we intentionally track moments of genuine connection with students, starting with the first day of school, a few important things happen: We connect with every kid. Using a clipboard and a single sheet of paper with all 120 or so […]
A Simple Technique for Affecting Belonging, One Genuine Connection at a Time
It’s common enough to see a really well-meaning teacher whose chief goal is to create a classroom where kids feel welcome, included, enjoyed, and honored, but to forget that this is only half the battle. Yes, we need kids to all identify with school, to identify with our class culture, to feel that who we’re asking […]
End of Year Teacher Clarity Booster: A Mission and a Project
[Note: This article is a follow-up on my previous query regarding whether or not Cal Newport’s new book, Slow Productivity, is relevant to our work as teachers. I’m finished with the first part of the book, Do Fewer Things, and so far I’d say, “Yes — the book can inform and clarify how we teachers […]
Getting Specific with Valued, Known, Respected
Whenever I talk to folks about tracking moments of genuine connection (MGC), I use three words again and again and again: valued, known, respected. These are the specific signals you try to send to a young person when you attempt an MGC with them. If you’re not meaning to signal one of these things when […]