I have read this article before and I was intrigued by the fact how well it aligns to Choice Theory. Choice Theory, developed by William Glasser (1999), posits that behavior is need driven and based on the choices we make to satisfy our intrinsic desire to meet those needs. Moreover, he noted the 5 needs as being survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. I only mention this based on the article and the premise that supplying a pencil meets several needs for a student. Most importantly, an educator is meeting the need of love and belonging for that student by demonstrating care. Establishing caring relationships with students is the first step in guiding students towards academic achievement. Next, an educator is meeting the student's need for power by equipping them with the materials they will need to make better choices in completing the work that is to be assigned. Finally, an educator is meeting the need of freedom because students who have their materials are now free to express their needs then demonstrate their ability to excel. I was administering a standardized test and on my way to the classroom a teacher noticed I had a bunch of freshly sharpened pencils. He stopped me and asked did I plan to take the test for the students since I was enabling their lack of preparedness by offering them a pencil. I thought about it then challenged him with the idea by asking did he ever borrow a pen. Certainly, all of us have had a moment where we needed to ask for a pen to sign a receipt when you are out to dinner.
Glasser, W. (1999). Choice theory: A new psychology of personal freedom [Kindle DX version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com
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ReplyDeleteI have read this article before and I was intrigued by the fact how well it aligns to Choice Theory. Choice Theory, developed by William Glasser (1999), posits that behavior is need driven and based on the choices we make to satisfy our intrinsic desire to meet those needs. Moreover, he noted the 5 needs as being survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. I only mention this based on the article and the premise that supplying a pencil meets several needs for a student. Most importantly, an educator is meeting the need of love and belonging for that student by demonstrating care. Establishing caring relationships with students is the first step in guiding students towards academic achievement. Next, an educator is meeting the student's need for power by equipping them with the materials they will need to make better choices in completing the work that is to be assigned. Finally, an educator is meeting the need of freedom because students who have their materials are now free to express their needs then demonstrate their ability to excel.
ReplyDeleteI was administering a standardized test and on my way to the classroom a teacher noticed I had a bunch of freshly sharpened pencils. He stopped me and asked did I plan to take the test for the students since I was enabling their lack of preparedness by offering them a pencil. I thought about it then challenged him with the idea by asking did he ever borrow a pen. Certainly, all of us have had a moment where we needed to ask for a pen to sign a receipt when you are out to dinner.
Glasser, W. (1999). Choice theory: A new psychology of personal freedom [Kindle DX version]. Retrieved from Amazon.com