According to Sir Ken Robinson, Death Valley received rain. This rain caused the floor of Death Valley to become covered in flowers. Up under this dry desert ground were the seeds of these beautiful flowers just waiting to be hydrated to flourish, much like our students. (Robinson, 2013)
Like my previous posts states, we are currently fostering an outdated education philosophy. One that allows no room for creativity and innovation. Much to Laura Bush's dismay, the No Child Left Behind act is not working any longer. We are leaving children behind by the boatloads. (Robinson, 2013)
According to Robinson, about 10% of children in America are being diagnosed with ADHD. This being that they have a hard time focusing, especially in schools. My daughter is actually part of this 10%. I was shocked when she was diagnosed at 7 years old. I had noticed that she would space out when she was bored, but did not think anymore of it than that. I never put her on medication because I did not feel she needed it. I worked with her on her school work when she got home and explained it to her in interesting ways. I created projects for her to do at home. I provided real life examples for her outside of school. Even if we were just going to the grocery store, I would have her count out the change she needed for her candy or read the signs in the store. She quickly started accelerating in school and I am proud to say she is now a straight "A" student who values her education. And boy, oh, boy can the girl write! She loves creating mystery stories. I just know she will be the next Colleen Hoover of her generation.
All of that to say, I respectfully have to disagree with the person that tested her. The problem was not a medical diagnosis. The problem was that she was a 7 year old who loved to create, move, and explore. She was BORED! If this happened to my daughter, think how many more students are in this exact same position. I know, I know, we all have had those certain students who 100% have ADHD. I have experience with those friends as well. However, it is evident that they have it. Many others are still being diagnosed when it is not so evident. These guys may just be bored and need a creative outlet to learn.
However, if we want our students to be creative and innovators, we have to allow our teachers to do so as well. When I started really focusing on my daughters education, I had to think creatively to make it fun for her. This proved to work when I started noticing her accelerating past her peers in reading and math. She was reading on an eighth grade level in third grade. Both of my daughters still come home and ask me to teach them how to do their TEKS of the week. They know Mom will come up with some way to make it relevant and understandable. (Don't mind me, just patting myself on the back a little ;))
Just think if all teachers could move to this relevant type of teaching for all of our students. We would have more engagement, more learning, lower dropout rates, and ultimately better test scores. That is if we, as teachers, were given the freedom to have this opportunity.
Take a listen to what Sir Ken Robinson has to say below.
References: Robinson, S. K. (2013, May 10). How to escape education’s death valley. Www.ted.com. https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_how_to_escape_education_s_death_valley?referrer=playlist-tv_special_ted_talks_educatio&autoplay=true
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