How to Invite Students to Learn

Introduction

Schools can be the most inviting places in town. Invitational schools function with trust, respect, optimism.

The message given by educators either build or destroy self-concept. Invitational education recognizes everyone as able, valuable, responsible and everyone benefits with personal and professional growth.

INVITATIONAL EDUCATION

Invitational (invited) Disinvitational(disinvite

d) Invitational education is

a democratically-based self-concept theory for working with people and constructing positive school cultures.

Invitational Education Assumptions

Three assumptions offer a consistent “stance” through which humans can create and maintain an optimally inviting environment:

RespectOptimismIntentionality

ARE YOU INVITATIONAL OR DISINVITATIONAL?INVITING VERBAL COMMENTS DISINVITING VERBAL COMMENTS

“Good morning”“Congratulation”“Tell me about”

“keep out”“I do not care what you do”“You can not do that”

INVITING PERSONAL BEHAVIORS DISINVITING PERSONAL BEHAVIORS

Smiling, listening, thumbs up or high five

Looking at your watch, yawning, sneering or forgetting an important date

INVITING PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

DISINVITING PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

Fresh paint, living plants or comfortableFurniture and attractively set table

Dark corridors, no plants, graffiti, old furniture or bad smells.

INVITING THOUGHTS (SELF-TALK)

DISINVITING THOUGHTS(SELF-TALK)

“Making mistakes is all right.”“I could learn to do that.”“Sometimes I have to think what to say.”

“Why am I so stupid?”“I never could do that.”“I never know what to say; I am so slow to catch on.”

Levels of Invitational Education1. Intentionally Disinviting ( bottom level) Deliberately discouraging, demean, and dissuade

students. They use expressions like these: “ you never do

your homework, why do you bother to come to school? You will never amount to anything.”

2. Unintentionally Disinviting (negative people) Well-meaning, but condescending. Obsessed with policies and procedures. Unaware of students' feelings.

3. Unintentionally Inviting (natural-born teacher) Well-liked and reasonably effective Inconsistent and uncertain in decision-making They offer remarks like these: “ that is neat,

just try harder, I enjoy teaching.”

4. Intentionally Inviting (professional attitude Optimistic, respectful, and trustworthy. Able to affirm, yet guide students.

All people have limitless human potentional. We can all be summoned to develop intelectually, socially, and physically. Teachers with true love for what they do would always keep in mind what students might feel as a reaction to the way the learning environment is developed.

Conclusion