Sunday’s Reflection: “Impose Your Will”
As I reflected, I thought about this week’s classroom theme: “Impose Your Will.”
It’s an important message. I wanted the students to understand that your behavior can influence others to do the right things.
Wednesday morning, my kids experienced what it looks like to Impose Your Will.
Let me set the scene. When one of my students arrived at class, she handed me a note telling me that she had no voice. Ok cool.
About 30 minutes later, I was going over the Daily Number. A surprising hand was raised…the student who couldn’t talk. How was she going to participate? She couldn’t talk. To answer the question, she displayed the number with her fingers. I loved it.
I told her to come up front and write the answer. Before she did so, I praised her for having a growth mindset. I hope that student’s mentality would affect her classmates in a positive way.
During the Math block, I found out that it did. While reviewing number lines with a fake football field(got to make learning real), the kids were struggling with the transference from abstract to concrete. One student even broke down. (Remember him)
Eventually, they started to get the concept…growth mindset in practice.
The next day, I taught the kids to analyze word problems. It was tough, but I wanted them to think.
Friday, the kids had their first Math test of the school year: Place Value/Number Lines. How did they do? 84.2 percent passed(assuming they filled out their scantrons correctly). That’s 15.8 percent away from the expectation, but it’s a good start.
There were some glows.
The student who broke down aced the test. The student who exhibited the growth mindset aced the test, too. And a student, who is still learning the English language, passed the test(model, model, model people).
That assessment was a perfect way to end my first stage of character lessons: Understand Your Why.
Because when you understand your why, nothing can stop you from accomplishing your goals. Nothing can stop you from overcoming challenges.
Nothing can stop you from Imposing Your Will.
I leave you with two things.
1. Are you imposing your will…positively?
2. If you’re not, how can you start doing so?
Say Back.
1. What did you like about the reflection?
2. What would you like to know more about?
Application: Write down three ways you can influence those you’re around in a positive way.
Jeremiah Short, Educator
The Phenomenal Student 
Mr. Short, you are “imposing your will” on your students. You are not only setting a Phenomenal classroom, you are an AMAZING teacher. My child’s mindset has grown since year has begun and comes home full of joy from being taught. I can’t wait to see how the year continues to unfold. Thank you for all your energy and praises for these young minds.
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