I try to do this with all my students, but especially my upperclassmen since they are thinking of their futures. In our health class, we have them make a video at the end of the year that is all about them. They have to talk about their physical, mental, social, occupational and spiritual health. In the video, money is no object. The videos they come up with are amazing. It is great to see the aspirations that they have and where they see themselves going. They include personal pictures of family and friends which helps add a nice touch. This project is presented to their entire class. It is neat to hear the comments from their classmates.
I try to help them dream big but always encouraging them to do whatever they want to do but also be realistic. Giving them respect and confidence is such a major component at the high school. If they are willing to work for it, know that there may be failure or obstacles, then they can achieve anything they want. If they want it badly, they will do whatever it takes in order to make that dream happen. I encourage them to be hard workers but o to enjoy the moments that come their way and take the positive out of every moment/lesson.
I really like how you reassure them that even if there are failures or obstacles that their goal is still entirely achievable. A lot of students think that that first brick wall means the end of the line, when in reality it's just a chance to prove how much they really want to attain their goal.
In the beginning of each school year, I have my students write down a list of dreams they have for themselves. I then meet with each of them one-on-one to conference how their year could help them in achieving one of them in the future. For example, I have a little girl who wants to be an author. We spoke about what specifically she could improve on in writing over the course of this year in order to help her become a better writer and set her up for success in the future. I give them the advice to start small and piece together the puzzle in order to reach their goal and achieve their dreams. We revisit these dreams at the end of the year and self-reflect on how we did in meeting our grade-level goals to help us with reaching our big dreams.
I love that you meet with all of your students to talk about the list they made. Sometimes kids have goal and are told to write them down but them they have no idea what comes next. Actually giving them advice and allowing the talk about what excites them is perfect! What a great activity Kelsey.
That is awesome! Being able to see personal growth is an important lesson and to know that there are puzzle pieces that are needed to make it work! I love this idea!
Very cool concept! I like the idea of pieces to the puzzle to help understand there are many different steps and ways to go about achieving what they set out to do.
My idea of dreaming big is to understand the world and our place in it. Before I encourage my students to dream big, we take a good, hard look at our surroundings and how they differ from those of the rest of the world. We spend a good bit of time exploring the concept of perspective so that we can better understand the many different cultures of the Spanish-speaking world and so that we can better understand our own culture. I try to show my students that everything we have is a blessing, especially the things that we most take for granted, like clean water and free education. It’s a pretty eye opening experience.
The best piece of advice that I can offer my students is to travel and see the world. We can study and research and discuss perspective all we want, but the only way to truly understand it is to experience it. I am super excited to be taking over a dozen students to Costa Rica next Spring for an eye-opening cultural experience and I am extremely proud of my many former students who have chosen to study abroad or travel extensively in college. They are truly the ones who are dreaming big and gaining immense insight toward understanding living for a global good.
I agree that getting out of one's "bubble" is one of the best things people can do to expand their view and gain new perspective. I wish all students could experience this!
We have a career day at school. There are many different professions represented and the kids fill out interest surveys and are matched with the speakers with which their answers best align.
What a cool opportunity. When I was a high school teacher I planned a field trip where my students got to go to my alma mater and talk to current students and professors as well as perform them. It was an eye opening opportunity for them, and several who hadn't planned on attending school were not realizing it could be possible for them.
My "Dream Big" moments are often times geared towards becoming independent. My kids are young and delayed so we function around the pre-k/k level in most things. We reach for...I can put my coat on, make my own sandwich, remember my swimsuit on Tuesdays or I am a reader! Each student strives for something different and obtainable and we celebrate it up BIG when the master that skill.
Last Friday, I had my first annual Alumni Day in my class. I invited former students who were either currently in college or recently graduated and working in the field to come and lead a panel discussion about life after high school and what they can expect as a film or animation major. It was awesome, because I heard many of the same comments and bits of advice that I often give my students, but they were much more attentive because it was coming from their peers. They could see themselves in these former students, who all got their start in my class. I was afraid that the bluntness about how much work lie ahead of them might scare some of them off, but several came up to me afterward and said they were more excited than ever. It turned out even better than I had anticipated!
What a great idea, Jennifer! I love that you asked former students to come in and talk with your current students. I feel like I did something like that during my first year of college too. Our guidance counselor asked several of us to come back and talk about our first year and the high school students could ask questions. I'm glad your current students got a lot out of it!
I always encourage my student's to dream big. We pick inspirational quotes in the beginning of the year and plaster them around the walls. They talk about their strengths and the great things they could do with them without any other obstacles in the way. We often watch motivational videos of people who dream big and achieve their goals showing that anything is possible! Life is short, dream big, go for it!
This is a great attitude. I love that you put inspirational quotes around the room, and watch motivational videos. I think it's great for students to see achievement first hand, and that big dreams are possible.
I encourage my students to 'dream big' by encouraging them to try new things. Just little things like trying a new strategy in math, or buying something different off the lunch menu, or attempting the monkey bars during recess (even if I have to hold your legs). By trying new things, they are gaining confidence in their abilities and taking risks, 2 important skills necessary if you're going to Dream Big.
I am not so much a dreamer as a pragmatist. I do encourage my students to become creative problems solvers and to look at adversity as a challenge rather than as a problem. Being a creative problem solver can help them accomplish things others cannot or are unwilling to attempt. In psychology we look at problem solving and work on the skills of creative problem solving. I have them practice various problem solving strategies.
As a special area teacher, I am fortunate because I get to work with the students throughout their entire time at the school, so I get to watch them grow and develop their skills. I am always encouraging my students to be themselves, and every student has their own strengths so I make sure to encorporate that as much as possible in my classroom. Some students love singing or dancing, while others love playing the instruments and writing music - so each student gets an opportunity to do it all. I generally will group students with strengths together and allow them more time to focus on what they really enjoy doing. I tell my students no dream is too big, and it is always better to shot for the stars and have high expectations.
No dream is too big, right?! To help students dream big and achieve those dreams, they need to be encouraged and taught to work hard. It is important for them to be set on the right path to reach those dreams. And for starters they need to know what small goals need to be reached on the way to their dream. While not every dream is achievable for every child, a positive attitude is a good place to start.
Learning how to break a big dream into manageable goals is an excellent skill to teach. I also believe younger students have the imagination to still dream big and have a positive approach.
Encouraging students to dream big is part of teaching. Initially, students share dreams, goals, desired professions. During the year at quarters they complete action plans and monitor their own progress. Conversations encouraging pursuing goals and dreams are important. Sometimes students need to realize that their actions might not support their dreams and they need to take different steps to get there.
I think when it comes to the dream big part, I come at it from the opposite end. I find that I am often trying to encourage students not to sell themselves short. Teaching in a rural district, many of my students have very low expectations of what they can achieve and where they can go in life. I try to show them the multitude of options life has for them, especially the students who may not be college ready right after high school. I find that group of kids are the most overlooked in our general push that everyone should go to college and get degrees. So many kids realize that is not for them early on and feel like life's options slim for them. So dream big can be so different for my students, but I feel I try to encourage and enable dreaming for everyone.
This was a big part of my curriculum when we were an AVID school, and I taught the AVID elective. At the beginning of each year, there are two lessons that I love teaching. The first revolves around Rudyard Kipling's poem, "If." The poem is really about what it takes to be mature, but it mentions dreams, "Don't make dreams your master." In other words, don't just sit back and be a dreamer,put forth action to accomplish those dreams. Then "the world is yours and everything that's in it." The second is just a simple literature lesson explaining how setting can impact character. While our surrounding may cause us to think and behave in a certain way, they don't necessarily limit us. For example, living in a rural area, we don't really think to much about a couple of guys walking down the side of the road dressed in camouflage with shot guns over their shoulders in the month of October, but if you were to be traveling from NYC to Niagara Falls for a vacation down route 18, that might make you a bit nervous.
One of the biggest and most obtainable goals/dreams my students have is to graduate. I try to remind them to keep working toward their dream by hanging a giant poster that says dream BIG on it. I also have 8 X 10 framed pictures of graduated students in their graduation gowns with their diplomas hanging around the poster. My students look at this wall and tell me exactly where they want their picture to hand when they graduate. This is a great way to remind them of their goal, to show them that it is obtainable, and to show them that it is important to me.
I feel like a broken record in class sometimes - encouraging students to "dig deep!" and "keep brainstorming!" There have been countless times where students insist that they need to reference a chromebook to figure out how to do the current art project. I love to tell them that when I was in school this wasn't an option, we just had to think of it in our brains! But seriously, I love to watch my art students get creative and completely exceed my expectations. And I love to start a dialogue with them about why they chose to draw or paint what they're doing, or what made them think of this, or even what they want to be when they grow up! A lot of amazing things can be created in the art room.
I try to do this with all my students, but especially my upperclassmen since they are thinking of their futures. In our health class, we have them make a video at the end of the year that is all about them. They have to talk about their physical, mental, social, occupational and spiritual health. In the video, money is no object. The videos they come up with are amazing. It is great to see the aspirations that they have and where they see themselves going. They include personal pictures of family and friends which helps add a nice touch. This project is presented to their entire class. It is neat to hear the comments from their classmates.
ReplyDeleteI try to help them dream big but always encouraging them to do whatever they want to do but also be realistic. Giving them respect and confidence is such a major component at the high school. If they are willing to work for it, know that there may be failure or obstacles, then they can achieve anything they want. If they want it badly, they will do whatever it takes in order to make that dream happen. I encourage them to be hard workers but o to enjoy the moments that come their way and take the positive out of every moment/lesson.
Katie, this reminds me of a time capsule project I had to do in elementary school. So fun and such a great way to embody dreaming big!!!
DeleteI really like how you reassure them that even if there are failures or obstacles that their goal is still entirely achievable. A lot of students think that that first brick wall means the end of the line, when in reality it's just a chance to prove how much they really want to attain their goal.
DeleteIn the beginning of each school year, I have my students write down a list of dreams they have for themselves. I then meet with each of them one-on-one to conference how their year could help them in achieving one of them in the future. For example, I have a little girl who wants to be an author. We spoke about what specifically she could improve on in writing over the course of this year in order to help her become a better writer and set her up for success in the future. I give them the advice to start small and piece together the puzzle in order to reach their goal and achieve their dreams. We revisit these dreams at the end of the year and self-reflect on how we did in meeting our grade-level goals to help us with reaching our big dreams.
ReplyDeleteI love that you meet with all of your students to talk about the list they made. Sometimes kids have goal and are told to write them down but them they have no idea what comes next. Actually giving them advice and allowing the talk about what excites them is perfect! What a great activity Kelsey.
DeleteThat is awesome! Being able to see personal growth is an important lesson and to know that there are puzzle pieces that are needed to make it work! I love this idea!
DeleteVery cool concept! I like the idea of pieces to the puzzle to help understand there are many different steps and ways to go about achieving what they set out to do.
DeleteMy idea of dreaming big is to understand the world and our place in it. Before I encourage my students to dream big, we take a good, hard look at our surroundings and how they differ from those of the rest of the world. We spend a good bit of time exploring the concept of perspective so that we can better understand the many different cultures of the Spanish-speaking world and so that we can better understand our own culture. I try to show my students that everything we have is a blessing, especially the things that we most take for granted, like clean water and free education. It’s a pretty eye opening experience.
ReplyDeleteThe best piece of advice that I can offer my students is to travel and see the world. We can study and research and discuss perspective all we want, but the only way to truly understand it is to experience it. I am super excited to be taking over a dozen students to Costa Rica next Spring for an eye-opening cultural experience and I am extremely proud of my many former students who have chosen to study abroad or travel extensively in college. They are truly the ones who are dreaming big and gaining immense insight toward understanding living for a global good.
I agree that getting out of one's "bubble" is one of the best things people can do to expand their view and gain new perspective. I wish all students could experience this!
DeleteWe have a career day at school. There are many different professions represented and the kids fill out interest surveys and are matched with the speakers with which their answers best align.
ReplyDeleteWhat a cool opportunity. When I was a high school teacher I planned a field trip where my students got to go to my alma mater and talk to current students and professors as well as perform them. It was an eye opening opportunity for them, and several who hadn't planned on attending school were not realizing it could be possible for them.
DeleteMy "Dream Big" moments are often times geared towards becoming independent. My kids are young and delayed so we function around the pre-k/k level in most things. We reach for...I can put my coat on, make my own sandwich, remember my swimsuit on Tuesdays or I am a reader! Each student strives for something different and obtainable and we celebrate it up BIG when the master that skill.
ReplyDeleteAlicia Traverse
DeleteLast Friday, I had my first annual Alumni Day in my class. I invited former students who were either currently in college or recently graduated and working in the field to come and lead a panel discussion about life after high school and what they can expect as a film or animation major. It was awesome, because I heard many of the same comments and bits of advice that I often give my students, but they were much more attentive because it was coming from their peers. They could see themselves in these former students, who all got their start in my class. I was afraid that the bluntness about how much work lie ahead of them might scare some of them off, but several came up to me afterward and said they were more excited than ever. It turned out even better than I had anticipated!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea, Jennifer! I love that you asked former students to come in and talk with your current students. I feel like I did something like that during my first year of college too. Our guidance counselor asked several of us to come back and talk about our first year and the high school students could ask questions.
DeleteI'm glad your current students got a lot out of it!
I always encourage my student's to dream big. We pick inspirational quotes in the beginning of the year and plaster them around the walls. They talk about their strengths and the great things they could do with them without any other obstacles in the way. We often watch motivational videos of people who dream big and achieve their goals showing that anything is possible! Life is short, dream big, go for it!
ReplyDeleteThis is a great attitude. I love that you put inspirational quotes around the room, and watch motivational videos. I think it's great for students to see achievement first hand, and that big dreams are possible.
DeleteI too use quotes in the classroom. I love what students have to say about them>
DeleteI encourage my students to 'dream big' by encouraging them to try new things. Just little things like trying a new strategy in math, or buying something different off the lunch menu, or attempting the monkey bars during recess (even if I have to hold your legs). By trying new things, they are gaining confidence in their abilities and taking risks, 2 important skills necessary if you're going to Dream Big.
ReplyDeleteI am not so much a dreamer as a pragmatist. I do encourage my students to become creative problems solvers and to look at adversity as a challenge rather than as a problem. Being a creative problem solver can help them accomplish things others cannot or are unwilling to attempt. In psychology we look at problem solving and work on the skills of creative problem solving. I have them practice various problem solving strategies.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome. Problem solving skills are valuable for students. Such strategies are useful in school and transfer to professional life.
DeleteAs a special area teacher, I am fortunate because I get to work with the students throughout their entire time at the school, so I get to watch them grow and develop their skills. I am always encouraging my students to be themselves, and every student has their own strengths so I make sure to encorporate that as much as possible in my classroom. Some students love singing or dancing, while others love playing the instruments and writing music - so each student gets an opportunity to do it all. I generally will group students with strengths together and allow them more time to focus on what they really enjoy doing. I tell my students no dream is too big, and it is always better to shot for the stars and have high expectations.
ReplyDeleteNo dream is too big, right?! To help students dream big and achieve those dreams, they need to be encouraged and taught to work hard. It is important for them to be set on the right path to reach those dreams. And for starters they need to know what small goals need to be reached on the way to their dream. While not every dream is achievable for every child, a positive attitude is a good place to start.
ReplyDeleteLearning how to break a big dream into manageable goals is an excellent skill to teach. I also believe younger students have the imagination to still dream big and have a positive approach.
DeleteI totally agree with the small goals builds up to big dreams. Breaking down life into manageable parts is so important.
DeleteEncouraging students to dream big is part of teaching. Initially, students share dreams, goals, desired professions. During the year at quarters they complete action plans and monitor their own progress. Conversations encouraging pursuing goals and dreams are important. Sometimes students need to realize that their actions might not support their dreams and they need to take different steps to get there.
ReplyDeleteI think when it comes to the dream big part, I come at it from the opposite end. I find that I am often trying to encourage students not to sell themselves short. Teaching in a rural district, many of my students have very low expectations of what they can achieve and where they can go in life. I try to show them the multitude of options life has for them, especially the students who may not be college ready right after high school. I find that group of kids are the most overlooked in our general push that everyone should go to college and get degrees. So many kids realize that is not for them early on and feel like life's options slim for them. So dream big can be so different for my students, but I feel I try to encourage and enable dreaming for everyone.
ReplyDeleteThis was a big part of my curriculum when we were an AVID school, and I taught the AVID elective. At the beginning of each year, there are two lessons that I love teaching. The first revolves around Rudyard Kipling's poem, "If." The poem is really about what it takes to be mature, but it mentions dreams, "Don't make dreams your master." In other words, don't just sit back and be a dreamer,put forth action to accomplish those dreams. Then "the world is yours and everything that's in it."
ReplyDeleteThe second is just a simple literature lesson explaining how setting can impact character. While our surrounding may cause us to think and behave in a certain way, they don't necessarily limit us. For example, living in a rural area, we don't really think to much about a couple of guys walking down the side of the road dressed in camouflage with shot guns over their shoulders in the month of October, but if you were to be traveling from NYC to Niagara Falls for a vacation down route 18, that might make you a bit nervous.
One of the biggest and most obtainable goals/dreams my students have is to graduate. I try to remind them to keep working toward their dream by hanging a giant poster that says dream BIG on it. I also have 8 X 10 framed pictures of graduated students in their graduation gowns with their diplomas hanging around the poster. My students look at this wall and tell me exactly where they want their picture to hand when they graduate. This is a great way to remind them of their goal, to show them that it is obtainable, and to show them that it is important to me.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a broken record in class sometimes - encouraging students to "dig deep!" and "keep brainstorming!" There have been countless times where students insist that they need to reference a chromebook to figure out how to do the current art project. I love to tell them that when I was in school this wasn't an option, we just had to think of it in our brains!
ReplyDeleteBut seriously, I love to watch my art students get creative and completely exceed my expectations. And I love to start a dialogue with them about why they chose to draw or paint what they're doing, or what made them think of this, or even what they want to be when they grow up! A lot of amazing things can be created in the art room.