New ideas can sometimes feel like a shadowy figure on a dark road: intriguing, but a little intimidating. These teaching tips from Shewmaker can help students feel safe enough to face the unknown and keep learning.
- Make it safe to face the unknown: Remind students that feeling stumped by a new idea is no reason to flee the ‘haunted’ classroom. Curiosity can help them through the fog.
- Set the scene before the scare: Explain the activity’s purpose, connect it to real-world questions, and reassure students that a few wrong turns are part of the adventure.
- Bring ideas out of the shadows: Let students share and test their thinking in small groups, where classmates can help untangle even the trickiest concepts.
- Let students hold the flashlight: Invite them to choose topics or shape activities so they have a sense of direction as they explore unfamiliar ideas.
When we make room for questions, missteps, and student choice, the unknown becomes less frightening and more like an invitation to discover what’s around the next corner. Wishing you all a wonderful fall week!