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Lessons from a 5 year old Graffiti Artist: Igniting the Spark - Mistakes and Curiosity in the Classroom

Genevieve Hawtree
Jun 14, 2024
3 min read

Lessons from a 5 year old Graffiti Artist:

I have a picture of graffiti that was written on a wall. It was created by a five-year-old student who had written the alphabet. She was so proud of this new skill that she wanted to show it off everywhere - even in places it didn't conventionally belong. I think about her and her excitement for learning often. There is nothing I want more than to instill that kind of passion for learning and sharing knowledge with students. My wonder is this: how do we do that? How do we get primary students excited about learning, so proud of what they have accomplished that they feel the need to write it on the walls to tell the world?

I believe one of the key ways to ignite that spark in our students is by creating a classroom environment where curiosity is celebrated and mistakes are seen as opportunities for growth. As Miss Frizzle from The Magic School Bus says, "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!" Here are some strategies I've used to foster a love for learning in my classroom:

Make Learning Fun and Engaging

Use games, hands-on activities, and interactive lessons to make learning feel like an adventure. When students are having fun, they're more likely to be engaged and motivated.

Celebrate Achievements, Big and Small

Recognize and celebrate every milestone, whether it's a student learning a new letter of the alphabet or successfully solving a tricky problem. When students feel successful, they are motivated to achieve even more.

Let Them Explore and Create

Give students the freedom to explore topics that interest them and express their learning in creative ways. This could be through art, music, storytelling, or even building projects.

Build a Supportive Community

Create a classroom culture where students feel safe to take risks and support each other. When students know they have a supportive network, they're more likely to push themselves and try new things.

Model Enthusiasm and Curiosity

My long-time readers know that one of my favorite sentences is "I wonder," and my students know that the next part of the question is "How do we find out?" Show your own passion for learning and be curious alongside your students. Ask questions, explore new ideas, and share your excitement. Your enthusiasm will be contagious.

Connect Learning to Real Life

Help students understand why they are learning something. This connection to real-life keeps them motivated and focused. Sometimes, the answer to "Why are we learning this?" is exactly what they need to connect to the lesson. The answer can be as simple as "so I can read" or "because it helps build connections in my brain."

Model Making Mistakes and Learning from Them

One of the most powerful ways to help students grow as learners is by helping them be okay with making mistakes. Let them see you make mistakes and handle them constructively. When you make a mistake, talk them through the problem and show the steps you take to correct it. This modeling helps students understand that mistakes happen and they help us learn.

Supporting Second Language Learners

For second language learners, these elements are even more critical. Learning a new language requires a willingness to take risks and make mistakes. It’s essential to create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable experimenting with new words and phrases without fear of embarrassment. Celebrating small victories can boost their confidence and encourage them to keep trying.

Engaging activities like reading, listening to music, or even writing their own graffiti help maintain their passion and excitement for learning. Emphasizing that mistakes are a natural part of the learning process fosters resilience and perseverance.

Final Thoughts

So what did I learn at school today? Making students excited about learning isn't always easy, but there are ways to make it easier. It's about creating an environment where they can "Take chances, make mistakes, and get messy!" It's about helping them see their learning, big and small. Most importantly, it's about teaching them to be so proud of their learning that they want to shout it from the rooftops—or, in this case, write it on the walls!