“What is love”?  “Why are people so anti-GMO?”  “What is the purpose of homework?” “Would the world be a happier place if everyone exercised?”  Round 2 is officially underway.  Yesterday, during our weekly check-in, students shared their topics/questions for their independent-learning projects, the above being a sampling of some of the cool research questions my students are pursuing.

Though the core of the project is the same this time, they did negotiate some changes: less paperwork, removal of process from the presentation, a mini-lesson on how to make a proper bibliography, and freedom to decide the sequence of sharing required elements during the presentation.  Of course, these things didn’t just present themselves immediately–it took the kids a bit to trust the negotiating process, to trust that I would actually compromise, but once they found their voices, the flood gates opened and a true dialogue took place, arriving at a mutually agreed upon end.

And it took me a while to trust the process, too, wanting to work my way back into the driver’s seat–my comfort zone, but with the help of my students holding me accountable, I stayed on the passenger side and let them drive.  I suspect next time I may end up in the backseat, and eventually maybe outside the vehicle as they take more ownership and control of their own learning.  I may have to get used to a new comfort zone.

Thanks for tuning in.  Have a terrific Tuesday, all.  I’d love to hear from more of you. There are a number of posts that you can chime in on, or if there is something else you want to talk about, email me at montesyrie@gmail.com, and I will help start the conversation.  Your words matter.  They matter more when you share them.