Year in Review - Autonomy
What is autonomy? Why is important?
“Taken from ancient Greek, the word means 'self-legislation' or 'self-governance’. Autonomy is made up of a set of skills and attitudes. Relevant skills include the ability to reason, to appreciate different points of view, and to debate with others. In order to do these things, the autonomous person must have a sense of self-worth and self-respect. Self-knowledge is also important, including a well-developed understanding of what matters to him or her”.
Opt Out students are given the space to develop these skills.
Instead of me, the teacher, making every academic decision, students were expected to advocate for their own learning. To manage their own time. They developed our classroom rules and codes of conduct. They chose their own novel study books. They maintained their shared learning environment - some of them had never swept a floor. No problem, I was right there to guide them in learning this new skill and so many others.
Students would ask, “Do I have homework?” and I would answer with a question: “Did you finish what you needed to finish today?” If not, math practice went home. “May I be done with the Fractions unit?” You tell me:“Did you prove mastery of these 5 skills?” Fantastic!
Mistakes were made, frustrations were had, time was wasted. Slowly but surely, they gained independence and began to value their newfound sense of freedom. Supporting students in a way that allows learning to become self-driven and intrinsically motivated comes first here.
I can’t accurately describe the amazing feeling, the purely positive energy, that floods into our classroom when a student succeeds in wrapping up a long term project and CANNOT WAIT to share it; when the last page of a peer-recommended book is finished and they’re buzzing around discussing it; when a math level is completed after several attempts and a dance party ensues; when a student who has never skipped a rock succeeds after a what seems like a million attempts! These pure moments only occur if the student was truly invested, if they pushed themselves to arrive at the goal.
I not only want students to succeed in meeting grade level learning standards, I want to arm them with skills that will serve them, drive them, for the rest of their lives. It takes a village: we all want our children, the next generation, to grow up with the “capacities they need to choose well, to stand up for themselves, and to lead lives that are meaningful and worthwhile”.
Magic School Bus Maintenance