Teaching Essentials by Regie Routman

Chapter 2: Create an "I Can Do It!" Learning Environment

Antonio
In this video clip, Antonio, a learner who struggles and lacks confidence, finds his voice through writing. Once we tap into a child's interest and provide the necessary demonstration and support to help him write, success can come quickly. Time and again I've seen children change before my eyes in demeanor, facial expression, eye contact, voice level, and posture once they are genuinely drawn out and celebrated for what they know. For Antonio, it was being a big brother to his baby sister. This was the well of knowledge and emotion I drew from to get him to do his best writing yet.

The art to create an "I can do it!" environment in your classroom is a mix of posing questions, expressing firm, high expectations, explicit teaching, and honestly celebrating the child and his work.

An Interview with Owen
Owen's success as a learner is described on pages 17–18 in Chapter 2. Here you see him eighteen months after I met him, as he is about to start fourth grade. Notice how confident he is—he has an "I can do it!" spirit that we want for all our students. Owen is someone whose academic story could have had a sadder ending. Up until midyear in second grade, he was a learner who struggled mightily and lacked self-confidence. It was his immediate success in writing his first complete story that set him on the path to academic success in all areas. Once he—as well as his teachers and his peers—saw what he could do, everything changed for him. As you watch this clip, think about a student you have who could blossom before your eyes.

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