Monday, February 18, 2013

You can lead a horse to water...


I’ve always found clichés annoying, but one more than others:

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.

Now I’m no expert on horses, but there seems to be some inherent problems with this phrase. First of all, if the horse is thirsty and there’s water around, you can’t keep it from drinking. Thirsty horses drink. Period. Second, if the horse isn’t thirsty, why are you leading it to water? Quenched horses don’t drink. Lastly, if the horse is thirsty but not drinking the water, then something is terribly wrong with the water.

Obviously I think too much about clichés, but I’ve heard this particular one used in reference to students. Students may be described as apathetic, unwilling to work, unmotivated or uninterested in academics. Or unthirsty horses, if you will. Many teachers see themselves as tirelessly leading these unthirsty horses to the water over and over again only to have the cooling waters of knowledge refused. Teachers wrestling with unengaged students turn to fellow educators for tips and hear: “Well, you can lead a horse to water….”

Each summer, I spend two weeks in a room full of thirsty horses; a group of engaged and dedicated educators. These teachers spend 14 days in a professional development course that leaves them drinking from a fire hose. It is our job as the facilitators to bring buckets of water by way of content knowledge and hands-on strategies. It is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Teachers know that feeling because thirsty horses are awfully fun to teach.

Whatever the reason, teachers return to the classroom to find students unengaged -- or rather to find horses not drinking the water. Our job as educators is to hydrate those horses. Here are my thoughts on how to keep your horses thirsty:
  • Ask what’s wrong with the water. Don’t get so busy that you forget to consider reasons that your students aren’t engaged. Perhaps they are full of water from a previous class and need time to digest. Perhaps they don’t recognize the water because they lack prior experience. Perhaps they are too busy thinking about food to realize they are thirsty. Perhaps your water is stale and could use some freshening up.
  • Be thirsty yourself. With budgets tight it is harder than ever to find funding for professional development, but it is always worth the effort. Investing, both the money and the time in your professional growth pays off not only for you but also for your students. Seek out those opportunities that allow you to experience as a student. Solid professional development not only deepens your content knowledge, but also keeps you excited about the classroom.
  • If you are full, leave the water alone. Find balance in your life. You are not just a teacher, or a parent, or a spouse or the chairperson of that committee. You are all of those things and you must not let any one responsibility overpower the other. If you are full, step away from the water.
  • Hang out with other thirsty horses. There are unthirsty horses in the teachers' lounge too. Avoid them. Make an effort to spend time around other teachers who are determined to help students learn. You can identify the unthirsty teachers by noticing who says, “Well, you can lead a horse to water…..”
For additional resources from HudsonAlpha's education team, visit the education portal

Madelene Loftin works as an education specialist
at HudsonAlpha. She was named Mississippi's
Outstanding Biology Teacher of the Year in 2008.
Since joining HudsonAlpha, she's been inspiring
Alabama students to pursue careers in science while
inspiring science teachers to be better educators.

31 comments:

  1. The super is also funny. I liked his pants remark. I had one motorcycle adventure in my life, and it felt like enough for me. You have the courage and passion for this. I don't think I do. So I count on you for the stories. :-) Love the picture of the beach and your bathing suit..
    wrestling

    ReplyDelete
  2. A brace of affidavit cover accepting a new job in the gucci replica company, or architecture business communities in order to facilitate projects you ability be absorption on.The capital allotment of centralized networking is usually to plan with humans aboveboard so they advance assurance aloft you. It is a affiliation that will pay off in the best term. This agency that you can not act in a blitz to hermes replicaget some thing. The ambition is to understand who does what central the business and see how you bout for that mix. This centralized networking is able because you are accouterment the added affair with a affair and they are giving you something.Whatever the louis vuitton replica Purse alignment you are in, if you accept to pursue some affectionate of centralized networking, you accept to apperceive what you are searching to achieve.Remember that as you artifice the journey, accept the individuals to breitling replica contact, and the assignments you are accommodating to plan on. Even admitting it is a two-way partnership, you are in allegation of the accurate route you wish to take, so accept an agenda.There are abundant means of networking that can plan when activated to the adapted situation. Everything comes down to the ability of who you are aggravating to replica watches arrangement with and what you should accompany to the table. Business is absolutely a two way street and if organizations and individuals adjudge to affix with one another, it accept to be equally valuable.





    ReplyDelete
  3. if the horse isn’t thirsty, why are you leading it to water? Quenched horses don’t drink. Lastly,Vermögensverwaltunr

    ReplyDelete
  4. My name is Jerry Henry. I was reading your blog article titled "You can lead a horse to water" as a student. This is a really good essay. I have found this to be really interesting. Read this article to learn something new. I'm now looking for the best online dissertation help in uk to further my degree. This website is a fantastic source for learning. We appreciate you sharing this knowledge with us.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Homework writing is a very time-consuming process. It requires a lot of research, analysis, and planning. As a result, it takes a lot of time to complete. In addition, it is often assigned as a Psychology Assignment Writing Service service. Students who have no time to complete their homework writing assignment may seek help from a homework writing service.

    ReplyDelete
  6. As a matter of some importance, in the event that the pony is parched and there's water around, you can't hold it back from drinking. Parched ponies drink. That is all. And share to all one for the help all over create my resume all the need for all the people.

    ReplyDelete
  7. This blog contains fantastic and novel content. If you need any information about it, come here. Whatever the case may be, if you need assistance with your studies, contact the Analysis Essay Help Service. I'd like to say that this blog will be fantastic for all of your writing needs because it contains brand-new academic writing content.

    ReplyDelete
  8. The information which you posted here is very helpful
    Need Fleur mystere Visit Children’s couture dresses

    ReplyDelete
  9. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I visited your website to read the content, and I'd like to use the Best Assignment writing services to make the most of this chance. I'll use the service in the interim because getting help seems secure. For a few days now, I've been following your thread in the hopes that you could assist me with my laptop. I've had quite a few unpleasant experiences, but in reality, I came to your website to read the content.

    ReplyDelete
  11. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  12. I learned about your blog via my buddy Nandu in Hyderabad. I have read at least 7 of your entries so far, and let me tell you, your website provides the best and most interesting information. This is exactly the type of material I was seeking for; I'm now an RSS reader and will keep an eye out for fresh updates; once again, congratulations! slime rancher 2

    ReplyDelete
  13. Buy top quality AAA Hublot replica watches in bestwatches.sr, and our fake Hublot watches are quality assured. A personalized pursuit of replica watches.
    Hublot Replica China

    ReplyDelete
  14. A paradigm change in the educational field has made virtual learning the new standard. Students are now becoming accustomed to taking online exams as a result of the shift to online programs. But exam anxiety is unavoidable, whether it occurs online or offline. When tests are even mentioned, most students start to fear them. You can take help from the experts of MyAssignmenthelp.com.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Good this is really a good job. Also you can now get easily done your Cipd Assignment Help with A grade of experts writers who write such a unique content which help to increase your marks.

    ReplyDelete
  16. This is a great way to look at business; it's important to stay up to date on trends and technology so that businesses can stay competitive and successful then you can use usa olympic golf shirt

    ReplyDelete
  17. "Leading a horse to water" is an idiom that means guiding or offering someone advice or assistance, but not being able to force them to take it. It is used to suggest that someone can be shown the way but ultimately must make their own decisions and follow their own path.
    online exam help

    ReplyDelete
  18. I am a big fan of horses. They are beautiful. And I'm also a fan of online games and on this platform 1depositcasinonz.com you can spend time alone or with friends. Try it and then write your impressions.

    ReplyDelete
  19. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink." Similarly, you can't resist the allure of the trendy Taylor Swift 1989 World Tour Sequin Jacket, a must-have fashion item!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What a beautifully scripted blog you have just provide. Thanks for this unique information online course help

    ReplyDelete
  21. I gathered more useful information from your blog. Keep sharing more related blogs. Abogado Trafico Alexandria Va

    ReplyDelete
  22. Thank you for sharing this valuable post! It's fantastic to know that you offer Assignment Help services for Canadian students. Education can be challenging, and having a reliable source of assistance is essential. Your commitment to supporting the academic needs of students in Canada is commendable. I'm sure your services are making a significant difference in their educational journeys. Keep up the excellent work, and I'll be sure to recommend your service to anyone I know studying in Canada who may need assignment help. Once again, thanks for sharing and for being a valuable resource for students!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Student Life Saviour has best experts in Singapore to provide do my assignment by the best Singaporean experts at affordable prices

    ReplyDelete
  24. Assignmenthelp.co.za offers law assignment help to all South African students in South Africa.

    ReplyDelete
  25. AssignmenthelpSingapore.sg offers nursing homework help to students in Singapore in all subjects.

    ReplyDelete