When I felt like I betrayed my students, because I created a project that detracted from a quarter's-worth of reading, I was forced to tell them that I had made a mistake.
"We will not continue our reading project, as I had planned," I announced at the end of the quarter.
"But, why?" they called, in an almost choral response.
"It's a mistake," I shared, as honestly as I knew how. "I want more reading, more sharing, more reflection and more book talks. The project just gets in the way of what's most important."
A few minutes later, they were back on their computers, updating their reading plans, browsing the shelves for new books and reading, as if nothing had changed.
I pondered their reaction momentarily, and it was clear to me that they trusted my judgement, because I was honest.
Are you this honest with your students?
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