This next habit is all about teamwork! To synergize is to cooperate creatively. The idea of this is that together, people can do better than they can do on their own. In order to synergize, people need to value each other's differences, utilize each other's strengths and balance each other's weaknesses. The image I've included sums up synergy in a simple way. Rather than compromising on a topic and meeting half-way in the middle, when synergizing, people are coming up with a whole new solution that is stronger than any compromise could have been. When people put their heads together they can come up with amazing outcomes. I related to this habit this week because I am a strong advocate or project based learning. In my classroom, students are working in groups most of the day. I love seeing the amazing ideas they come up with when working and putting their heads together. We are a 1:to:1 iPad classroom, and whenever I introduce a new project idea, the more freedom I give a group, the more they end up impressing me. As much as 4th graders need structure, you'd be amazed at what they can do when they have room to be creative. Another thing I love about PBL is seeing my students helping one another. All of my students have different talents and strengths to share with the class. I always encourage them to help one another because (there is only one of me) and most of the time their peer can explain something in better "kid language" in a way that makes sense to them, better than I can. In the last habit I touched on class discussions. Class discussions are a huge part of my classroom's culture. When we discuss and brainstorm ideas together (synergize) we are stronger than if we worked on our own. I am excited to share this habit with my class this week and encourage them to continue working together and supporting one another. I wish I worked in a school where we had more time set aside for collaboration. I think beautiful work can be done among teachers who have opportunities to synergize.
Jessica Love
10/6/2015 09:21:01 pm
Having time to collaborate as teachers is so helpful! This is first year I've ever had designated time to work with my grade level team every single week. It's huge! Left to my own devices I really struggle to make time to talk to other teachers. There are so many things to juggle in our profession that it's helped me to know time has been scheduled to work with colleagues. I'm starting to see some beautiful synergy happening. :-)
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Author"Motivation gets you started, and habits keep you going." Archives
October 2015
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