Smart

We are spending some time in our classroom community developing our own definition of "smart".

Often "smart" means students who score well on tests or who "know".. A "funny" detail about our current tests, they only measure the areas of reading and math. Tests also don't know (or care) if you were sick or worried about something when you took the test.

In our learning communities, "smart" means students who are engaged, who ask questions, and who move forward ... students who keep trying ... students who make connections and are thinking about our learning ... students who look for new opportunities and stretch ... students who aren't afraid to try, get stuck, then have a better idea of a specific question they can ask to move forward ...

We are also making our room a safe place to make mistakes. It is easier to make many mistakes on a rough draft, then edit and revise, and polish it up, then not even start so focused on trying to be "perfect" before we even start. It is exhausting trying to be "perfect".

Of course, using your tools, like spelling the word that is ON the PAGE is expected. That is just *smart* to do it the first time!

We just keep getting smarter by the day!