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“O the joy of that vast elemental sympathy which only the human soul is capable of generating and emitting in steady and limitless floods”
Walt Whitman
that is, my weaknesses as well as my strengths?
Self and peer Assessment of character attributes and emotional intelligence revealed through questionnaires might be one of the most meaningful and rewarding tools in the “human connection in education.” They can be an asset in the evaluation of personal student growth and achievement as well as teacher accountability.
The above-mentioned questions are based on some of the ‘hero activities’ in Teens Are Heroes, Too! Challenges, Choices & Character:
These activities were intended to inspire students:
1.To identify their innate heroic attributes
2.To identify their unique mental, emotional, physical, spiritual intelligences such as the discovery of one’s meaning in life.
3.To increase
These activities can serve as templates for teachers who might also consider creating their own self and peer assessment questions. The latter can be administered at the beginning and/or at the end of each semester with or without the standard report card.
Mindfulness and meditation or stream of consciousness writing can lead to self-reflection and serve as a form of self-assessment. The intention can be stated at the beginning of either exercise: “Why am I saying or doing this?”
Once the student is aware or made aware by a family member, friend, classmate or teacher of a habit or behavior that seems to be ‘getting in the way’ of a students’ progress at home, school or community, he/she can change that habit or behavior.
“To affect change, one must become conscious of what motivates his/her actions.” Marshall Stern, author.
If for example, the habit or behavior deals with procrastination, Heidi Grant Halvorson, a social psychologist suggests a self-assessment strategy that asks three questions:
Perhaps, a student can ‘reframe’ or change his/her perception or perspective; that is, figure out ways in which the project or task can be enjoyable and make it a ‘want to’ rather than a ‘have to.”
The following quiz is another example of self-assessment: VICTOR or VICTIM?
Teachers can rely on the above mentioned self and peer assessments to assist students in applying their talents and skills to pursue their identified passion; Additionally, teachers can encourage the pursuit of their ‘passion with purpose’ for the betterment of self and others to help resolve social issues in schools and in the community.
“Our education system is certainly oriented around the resume virtues, the skills that you bring to the job market and that contribute to external success. The eulogy virtues are deeper…the ones that exist at the core of your being-whether you care, or are kind, brave, honest or faithful, the kind of relationships you formed.”
(David Brooks, The Road to Character)