The third chapter of "An Ethic of Excellence" deals with providing students with opportunities to make genuine accomplishments leading toward strong self-esteem. Berger indicates that one way to get high quality work from students is to give them assignments that "inspire and challenge" them in meaningful ways. These are not so much contrived projects that do not go beyond the classroom but are truly real-world problems that provide a service to the community. Berger's water quality and radon studies with students are good example of his inspiring and challenging real-world projects.
As students work through their projects they must engage in a great deal of reading and writing. Unlike with traditional models of literacy assignments where the reading or writing is the goal, with real-world interdisciplinary projects, the students must acquire important knowledge through reading and are required to prepare compelling written reports of findings. This literacy work is embedded in the overall work of the assignment. Because the work is genuine, the students are highly motivated in their assignments and the associated literacy.
While students prepare their work for the assignments, they must keep the aesthetics of their product in mind. An appreciation of beauty is always woven through the work of students, emphasizing the arts.
Many times students do not produce the quality of work desired by the teacher because they cannot visualize the outcome. If the teacher provides a “go-by” for the students they can see an example of what the teacher wants. The students have a picture of what quality work looks like. To this end, Berger archives "tribute works", products of prior students that meets his expectations for quality. Multiple examples of quality work shows the students that there are multiple ways of achieving the goals of the assignment.
It is unlikely that any student will produce the best possible product on the first attempt. Just like any professional preparing a report or important project, multiple drafts will be prepared and reviewed by peers and supervisors. That process is utilized in school projects in which a student’s work will be critiqued and modified until the standard for excellence is achieved. While this process will require more time, students develop a culture that “good enough” isn’t good enough and that excellence is worth the work and that quality means “rethinking, reworking and polishing”.
After you have viewed the Chapter 3 video and read Chapter 3 of the Berger book, please comment on the prompts below.
- What some ways that students can visualize excellence in their work?
- How can we provide our students with examples of "beautiful work"?
Also, please remember to make professional comments of the responses of two other participants in this professional learning community.
To help students visualize excellence in their work the teacher has to show the students multiple examples of quality work that is wanted by the teacher. The students need to see that there are multiple ways of achieving the goals of the assignment. They must also know this process will require lots of time and lots of rough drafts. They need to know that their work will be critiqued by the teacher and by their fellow classmates. Self-esteem in the school improves when students have teachers who care to help inspire and challenge them. However, boosting a child's self-esteem takes time. As the student rethinks, reworks and polishes their work, their self-esteem will improve and their desire to perform even better will continue until, hopefully, their work becomes a work of excellence.
ReplyDeleteWe can provide our students with examples of "beautiful work" by giving them lots of models of good quality work to look at that shows what is wanted by the teacher. The teacher can bring in experts to the classroom that will aide in the student's research. Dedicated teachers show an excitement of learning and model hard work and good work ethics. They show professionalism in their manner and appearance. The students respect teachers who respect them in return and by treating everyone fairly. When they know you care, you motivate them to achieve.
I agree. Teachers are the best models of hard work and good work ethics. When teachers show excitement for learning and model manners and good work ethics students want to do their best.
DeleteEugenia,
DeleteI agree, teachers need to show the students examples of beautiful work.
Teachers as leaders is the 'age old' model that has worked since the time of Aristotle and Socrates.
DeleteStudents can visualize excellence in their work by looking at models or examples of high quality work. Students can carry visions in their head and know what they are striving to achieve. They will have a mental picture of what quality work looks like. Students need a checklist and a rubric of what makes excellent work in order to create works of excellence and continue to revise their work until they do this. However the most important step in this process is getting a picture, a vision, or an inspiration from a model or example. We need to admire models, find inspiration in them, and analyze their strengths and weaknesses. Teachers and students need to figure out together what makes an example or model strong.
ReplyDeleteWe can collect examples of "beautiful work" for our students from our classroom, other classrooms, other schools, and experts in a particular field of study. Each classroom can create a library of models of earlier drafts, models of final drafts, pin-up work on the walls, and show pictures of excellent work. Students and teachers can critique and analyze the work. They can marvel and admire the great aspects of the work. This will excite and motivate our students to create works of excellence. Models will set the standard of what they're aiming for and give them a vision of their goal.
Paula, I agree that when students look at high quality models it helps inspire them to want to create their own work of excellence.
DeletePaula you are so right in your response. Students do need a checklist and rubric to see what is expected while they work and what makes their work excellent. It is always to good for students to have a vision and a goal in order for them to aim high. Students always love to see other student work too!
DeleteChildren love their work displayed for the 'world to see'. It gives them pride, comparison, and. in some instances a desire to do better.
DeleteThe students can visualize excellence in their work by seeing examples of excellent work, knowing what components are needed, and revise as needed to produce an excellent product. The students set their goals to meet higher standards while using creativity to reach a higher level of learning. In time, students will have the motivation to to do their very best. Additional feedback from the students' peers and teacher in a constructive and caring manner leads to meeting the students' and teacher's goals.
ReplyDeleteWe can provide our students with examples of "beautiful work" by using, the Internet, pictures, the world around us, peers, 3-D models, and sharing the work of past and present students.
Liz,
DeleteI agree that students are able to meet the high standards while being creative. Providing 3-D models is a great idea to help show students examples of "beautiful work."
I agree. I feel constructive feedback from students and teachers done in a caring manner will help students work toward a goal of excellence.
DeleteConstructive feedback is , as long as it is done to benefit the child is a great way to encourage them to be self thinkers and higher level achievers
DeleteI agree, Liz. The internet, 3-D models and learning of past and present work. Students can construct "beautiful work" for the future.
DeleteI love your idea of using 3D models for students, can you imagine how inspiring this would be for your second graders? The idea of past students I think would be especially exciting for students to see work from their older brother or sister...how wonderful!!!
DeleteI totally agree with Mrs. Holly on this point of view. We 'parrot' in our learning and we all learn from past works.
Delete3-D models are wonderful, especially for those children who learn with hands on activities......So amazing.....
DeleteStudents can visualize excellence in their work by the teacher giving them high quality examples or models to show them. Teachers can help students through the process of creating drafts and making their work excellent. Teachers are the role model and should guide the students in creating their work.
ReplyDeleteWe can provide our students with examples of "beautiful work" by examples for the classroom, other classrooms and the school. Seeing these examples will inspire students and give them something to work towards. The teacher should make sure that students work is shown from beginning to drafts then the final draft.
I agree. I like the idea of showing drafts and keeping the work to show them how much they have improved. Also if it is high quality work, it gives the students a goal to shoot for.
DeleteI also, agree, we need to show the drafts so the students can see how a product evolved step by step.
DeleteDanielle you are so right in that our students need to see their work from beginning to end...they need to see examples good and bad and teachers need to be sure to guide students through the process.
DeleteAlpha to Omega. The old saying that this is a work in progress. A process not an event. We all like to take ownership of what we help to create and as own. The military coined a great slogan and advertisement when they said (army) 'Be All That You Can Be'!. Being motivated to excellence is a great personal experience.
DeleteShowing drafts to students will get the students excited about seeing what they could make or complete will put a smile on every teachers face:)
DeleteI think that students can see excellence in their own work in several ways. I feel that keeping a portfolio is one way that students can see excellence in their work. If they keep their rough drafts from the beginning they will be able to see their progress. Then if the teacher displays their work, not only can the students see the excellence, everyone will be able to see excellence in student's work. Students also need to see examples of excellence in sample works. If they see other work they may be able to use that as a guide for their own.
ReplyDeleteWe should provide samples of work from previous students work, other classroom's work and keeping a portfolio.
Kim I agree with your comments and think that the gratification that the children feel in seeing their work makes them want to achieve at a higher level
DeleteKim,
DeleteI like the idea of having portfolios and letting students see their own works of excellence. I like for students to be able to see their work from the beginning to the end of the year.
I agree that the portfolios are a great way of seeing the progression of their work from the beginning to the end.
DeleteI agree, a portfolio is an excellent way to show each child the progression of their work.
DeleteKim students having portfolio's of their work is a wonderful idea. Portfolio's should be kept from kindergarten and passed down throughout their years. What an feeling of success for a student to see how far they have come with examples of their work.
DeleteI also like the student portfolios. Not only do they show the student's beautiful work, but their growth as a learner.
DeletePortfolios are kept---remember your Mom's refrigerator? Being able to see self growth creates pride in all of us and I think children most especially. Success triumphs over failure for children and adults. What is the old adage?, Learn from your own mistakes.
DeleteIn this chapter it talks about the teachers being models for the students......They are there to guide the students as they create their work......as we critique the students work we need to 1. Be kind 2. Be specific and 3. Be helpful....I think that my favorite part of this chapter is where it tells you to critique the work not the child
ReplyDeleteI really like what the writer said here, it is so important not to destroy a child's self-esteem when critiquing their work.
DeleteTeresa you are so right...and I think that in the past we have not followed those rules. We need to model for our students and be their guide. Self-esteem is very important to building a child's confidence and letting them know that they are important and that we expect excellence.
DeleteI highlighted this section of the chapter! In today's society, I think teaching students to be kind as well as helpful and specific are valuable life skills. These skills are needed in their educational lives, personal lives, and later their lives. An awesome skill I wish to master!
DeleteMonkey see what monkey do. Need I say more?
DeleteI liked that part of the chapter too. I like the way it tells us to critique the work, not the child, very important for us to do
ReplyDeleteI agree, Teresa "be kind and and specific" is the key to success and my favorite part.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with the three rules we need to follow as we critique the student's work, Be kind, Be Specific and Be Helpful.
ReplyDeleteTeresa, I agree with you-- We need to follow the rules of the constructive critique (critique the work and be kind).
DeleteI agree with all of the above replies portfolios are great,create projects, critiques, and last a child's life is in our hands to shape. As teachers, that's an important role.
DeleteThersa all I can say to that blog is ditto.
DeleteCouldn't agree more.
DeleteI like the reminder Mr. Berger gives when he says not to say ... "I like it" or "It's good." So true when he says these comments are a waste of time.
We as educators set the standards high for our students. In turn, they begin to strive for excellence themselves (accepting nothing less than their best). Teachers can provide models of "beautiful work " or perhaps show student work from previous years.
ReplyDeleteThe idea of "quality" work means rethinking, reworking, and polishing.
Lisa, I loved the same quote that you did, our students need to know what our idea of quality work. We have to set the standards and we have to have our students strive for excellence. I love your quote of accepting nothing less than their best.
DeleteThanks Mrs. Holly. We do set the standards of high expectations and we all know that what gets monitored gets done but it has to be in an environment that is conducive to the freedom to learn and grow.
DeleteI think students can visualize excellence in their work. Certainly, technology plays an important role because we can go places in the world to find outstanding work for students to view. More models of excellence work will make "beautiful work" to be proud of. We also need to find local work of excellent to show students.
ReplyDeleteEven more important the arts and writing should be included in the every day classroom. In the real world things are not segmented like we have them in school. We don't learn by just using one of our senses at a time.
But we discover using them all. That's the way it should be in the classroom!
We can help students visualize excellence in their work by setting high standards and communicating these standards to each student. I like what the writer said “self-esteem comes from accomplishments not compliments”, with these accomplishments students will be able to visualize excellence in future work. As students begin to make discoveries and solve problems as a group their self-image will emerge. The teacher needs to provide students with examples of “beautiful work” which can be found by using technology, examples from experts, and examples of excellent student work that they can use as a guide.
ReplyDeleteKelley I also loved that comment and highlighted it in my book. We need to build self-esteem in our students and compliments are always great from adults or peers. Showing students beautiful work needs to be shown every day to students. If only students were judged on their beautiful work every day and not on a test at the end of the year.
DeleteWe all love to be recognized for our accomplishments no matter how insignificant they may seem to others. We all have a strong desire to 'belong' and to be viewed as who we are.
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ReplyDeleteIn chapter three, the first few words caught my attention quickly which were self esteem and accomplishments. These are the types of tools that I believe help students visualize excellence in their work. The teachers in our school at Holden Elementary are supportive of the students and each other. The students are encouraged to support and work with each other. Taking pride in the work, showing respect, team work, and cooperation are all a part of the goals that we set daily in our classroom. These are the types of skills that are so important in helping students to achieve a vision in their work. Students need to critique their work and ask themselves what can be done to improve this work, does it make sense, will the other students be able to understand what I am trying to say, and what plan can I make to organize this into a product that I am pleased with. Once they start to ask themselves a few basic questions, the y will be on the road to having a starting point, a vision.
ReplyDeleteIn our classroom, all students are inspired to produce beautiful work. Students work together in centers, and groups. The children meet with me in the morning so that we can discuss the objective that we will work toward. We all ask and answer questions that will help us to get off to a good starting point. Once the students are ready to work on their project, I work also right along with them to give them a model of what we are doing, especially in the areas of reading, writing, and math. Students meet with partners to discuss what they have done. In the meeting, the children are kind to each other, supportive, and also offer suggestions to help improve work. I have found that having other staff and students involved also helps the children self esteem. Students from other grade levels are pleased to help the younger ones and it also makes them feel important. Once we all complete projects, we make sure that we have met the curriculum goal set. We also often take time to look back at other works that we have produced. I believe that when the children see me working on the same product that they are working on, they feel that it is even more important and they have a model to assist them in their work. When our work is displayed, I know that each child has tried to produce a work of beauty because he or she had a support team that has helped them to have a vision of beautiful work
Before students can visualize excellence in their work I believe that they have to believe that we see their work as excellent. Reading this chapter gave us so many ideas for students to show excellence in their work. Some of the work was as simple as kindergarten students drawing pictures to fifth graders doing projects such as testing water samples for their town. This chapter truly explains why we have to be sure that students know that "quality means rethinking, reworking, and polishing"
ReplyDeleteWe need to let our students see our work, show them our rough drafts and tell them about our successes and failures. I love the part of this chapter about making student work public. There is nothing that parents love more than seeing their child succeed.
So true.... it's human nature to want to be believed in. Giving students the confidence to push forward is definitely important.
DeleteI found this chapter to be inspiring and overwhelming. But I found ideas going through my mind and how the accomplish these ideas. I also began to plan on ways to improve their portfolios and to poll the parents looking for experts in their professions. Getting everyone involved in the education of our students is vital in fighting the apathy we often see.
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DeleteI am so proud of each of you because we are blogging (displaying) our thoughts and works to be critiqued. This is exactly what this study is telling us that students should be doing in order to develop "An Ethic of Excellence". This is truly how we shape young minds and help to improve society and the world. Slow baby steps. Just chip, chip, chipping away until we help create change.
DeleteI would like to add a talking point for me in this blog. As I reflect on my years in college, as a teacher, graduate student, and principal I owe a lot of 'Thank you'd to Stan and Barbara for their teaching, mentoring, and advice to help me to develop an "Ethic of Excellence" as a professional educator. Helping me to grow and learn with each new group of students. Thanks for teaching me, growing me, and just being good friends over these many years. --MICKEY
ReplyDeleteStudents can visualize excellence by us showing them what it looks like! :) The first step to this is by giving clear directions & then *showing* expectations through modeling (teacher/peer modeling, excellent student work already completed, technology, ect) and assessment strategies (rubrics, checklists).
ReplyDeleteProviding students with examples of ‘beautiful work’ isn’t hard in the world we live in..the internet is available and ready for us to search for anything we need. Other than that, as stated before, teacher modeling & showing other student work. There are many resources available.
I think the morning meetings or some type of conference allows students to evaluate work and critique work. I believe students will begin to raise the bar and the requirements. Collecting work samples and allowing students to display their work is a way to show "beautiful work". I think saving each draft of the work is a great way to show students the progression of their work and "perfecting" their presentation. I liked how the chapter stressed the level of expectation was placed because of the children and how the teacher is responsible, but the students are so much more responsible.
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