The Lexicon of Learning. |
If we want to change the way we think of something, we need to change the way we talk about it." Sonya Wrisley, Principal Design39 Campus
The Power of Words
The words we use matter. The language we use impacts how we think, act, and imagine our roles as students, teachers, and learners. Being intentional and purposeful with our language helps us to have shared understanding of not only what we do each day but also how it connects to our most deeply held beliefs about learning.
In today's workshop, we'll work together to explore the language that we use each day in order to focus our purpose, develop a shared understanding, and help to tell the story of our school with the community.
In today's workshop, we'll work together to explore the language that we use each day in order to focus our purpose, develop a shared understanding, and help to tell the story of our school with the community.
Warm-up: Tapping into the +/- Terminology of School
Take a moment to answer each of the prompts below, sharing examples of "the language of school" that carries positive and negative connotations.
Student vs. Learner
Are we a community of students or a community of learners? Although these terms are often used synonymously, these terms are distinct from each other in a variety of ways. At your tables, take three minutes to discuss the similarities and differences between these two words. When prompted, make your way to the white boards at both sides of the PDC to share your thoughts about the characteristics of students and the characteristics of learners.
Click here to see Mark Heintz's "Student/Learner" blog post which inspired this part of the workshop.
Included below are the images from the activity during Lead Learner Workshop.
"Student" responses included:
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"Learner" responses included:
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Our Lexicon of Learning
Nipmuc is a unique community. From FAST to Free Read Fridays to Food for Thought Lunches and more - there are so many aspects of our culture that are distinct to life at Nipmuc. In this activity, we will explore the "lexicon of learning" at our school by describing the parts of our school that are not only important to our work but also tell the story of our learning community.
Working collaboratively, make your way around the room to the words that capture the uniqueness of our school. Write down the characteristics of each of the words, helping us to capture the purpose, impact, and story of our lexicon of learning. Included around the room are also some blank sheets. Feel free to add your own suggestions for words that we should define and include in our lexicon. |
Check out the work of our Lead Learners:
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Words Worth Reconsidering
Sometimes our association with words is so established that we should consider removing the word from our vocabulary altogether. By choosing a new word, we can hit the reset button on our understanding and get start fresh. For instance, consider the meaning that is embedded in the phrase, "You've been called to the principal's office." (Did you just break out in a cold sweat?) Now consider how you would react if we replaced the phrase "principal's office" with "welcome center". (Ah, that's better, right?)
By changing our words we can change our reality. What are some words would should reconsider? Add your thoughts to the padlet below.
By changing our words we can change our reality. What are some words would should reconsider? Add your thoughts to the padlet below.