In Praise of Slow
Posted: January 24, 2012 Filed under: Literacy, Pedagogy 2 Comments »“Slow down, you move too fast.
You got to make the morning last.”
- Paul Simon
Can we really get more done by slowing down? Sometimes I think we can. I know when conversations slow down we can process ideas in a more thorough fashion. I think we can teach the same way as well.
What’s the point in collecting reams of writing, carting it home, marking it up and repeating the process a day later? What if we just slowed down, provided meaningful, timely feedback and marked work when it was completed to the best of a students ability? Slow down to move ahead faster. Take the first 20 days at the beginning of a school year or a term and work on routines and building student stamina through a Daily 5 type program. It will pay dividends later on.
Sometimes I think we get caught up with doing things too quickly. I don’t know about you, but I seldom do a good job when I’m rushed. When I meet with friends I don’t want race through things. I want to enjoy their company. I probably don’t spend enough time with them anyway. I have one friend who seems to be living life at breakneck speed. I realize that it’s all a matter of perception, but it still gets me a little anxious.
My buddy Brian reminded me that we both have copies of Carl Honoré’s In Praise of Slow. Neither of us have finished it yet. We’re taking it slow.
Once again your comments come at the right moment. My students are creating incredible eBooks but it’s taking a while. I found myself feeling a little rushed while editing with students. I had put an artificial timeframe of completion by the end of January. I have 20 students at various stages of the writing process. Some of them are in their second round of books but then there are a few who just never seem rushed. Maybe I can learn a bit from those who ponder and think while writing.
I just needed to hear, it’s okay to take things slow.
Thanks,
Angie
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