Empowering Student Choice through Gradual Release

When students give up on assignments or get overwhelmed, it’s tough to find ways to help them re-engage.

So, I’ve invited Dr. John Spencer (https://spencereducation.com/) of The Creative Classroom podcast (https://spencereducation.com/podcast/) to help us uncover 5 brain-based ways to help kids who shut down in class. John is a former middle school teacher and current college professor on a quest to transform schools into bastions of creativity and wonder.

Listen in as John and I explore how to:

1. Intentionally cultivate self-empowerment (the ability to self-regulate and self-direct.)

2. Introduce creative constraints when kids are overwhelmed.

3. Use the gradual release model to slowly acclimate students to more self-directed work.

4. Think diagnostically, looking for root causes beyond those related to behavior.

5. Call impromptu workshops when you notice a significant number of students struggling.

Get the shareable article/transcript for this episode here.