I love those students that are sneaking into their desk to do other learning. It’s that kid who is secretly reading a book under the lip of their desk when they are supposed to be solving a math problem. It’s the kid who is working out a math puzzle in their head when they are supposed to be reading. It’s the kid who’s daydreaming of an online program when they are supposed to be doing anything else.
These are the kids who are learning when no one’s looking. They usually have their head buried in a book at all times. They can’t peel themselves away from that math problem that they haven’t yet solved. It’s the kids who are passionate in what they are learning, and the way that we can make it better for these students is to continue to challenge them in ways that they haven’t been challenged. In many cases, they are making, taking, and seeking their own challenges. Sometimes, reading a book quietly is more engaging for them than the work we are asking them to do.
Try to build in these student’ interests. Try to forgive them when they get lost in a book or in a math puzzle. Most importantly, give them interesting things to work on. Challenge them to find solutions to problems. Help them find the book that they can’t put down. Give them every opportunity to learn when no one’s looking.
Rich
