Leigh in Azerbaijan

I’m increasingly convinced that the most important things my grade 5 students learn do not include subject content.  I reckon it does include attitudes, conflict management, time-management, self-confidence, seeing themselves as learners…  That’s not to discount the value of curriculum, but learning to learn and gaining life-skills are probably even more important.

Last year we had a ‘grade conference’ every three weeks or so to talk over tensions amongst the kids.  Every time it had a significant impact.  Students, for some weeks following, were more accommodating and seemingly more content with who they were.  After some weeks, however tensions would rise again but It was a healthy sign when students came to us asking for a grade conference.

I’m now on the lookout for wisdom that might be posted on our walls this coming year to help students internalise healthy attitudes and beliefs.  Do you have any that I might add to the collection?  Here’s one that I’ve just discovered courtesy of Barbara J Feldman’s site for teachers:

“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, just as much to stand up to our friends.” Harry Potter book #1: Dumbledore, page 306