Super Bowl is to Student Learning as 4th Quarter is to Perseverance
As a Carolina educator, I really had no skin in the BIG game. My Panthers went to the Superbowl last year so this year I was pleased to just enjoy time with family and friends without biting my nails an inch from the television.
While watching this year’s Superbowl teams go at it, I had an epiphany. I realized just how similar the classroom is to the game on the field. You see, the Patriots were the team most fans picked to win the game. They have a track record of making it to the Superbowl and for closing the deal. That’s data. Data speaks to patterns and habits, and this team was in the positive.
However, other fans were rooting for the underdog team, the Atlanta Falcons. Its nice to see a victory out of a struggle. Its a feel-good moment for everyone. Since Atlanta is close to Carolina, this was my preferred winning team.
Regardless of how many fans were behind the Patriots, the Falcons were dominating the game. They showed up ready to play. Regardless if the reason was that they hadn’t been to a Superbowl in a rather long time or if they were just hyped to still be in season, they showed up to win. Every play they made progress and put points on the board. Even better, the Patriots were struggling to keep up.
The world was shocked.
How could a winning team struggle with this newbie opponent? Well, it happens all of the time in the classroom. Teachers and students alike have preconceived notions like the fans of the Superbowl. They assume certain kids will prevail and others will struggle. But really, when kiddos show up every day to do their best work, they can upset those notions and data patterns- just like the Falcons were doing on the field.
Perseverance and continued focus can bring success in and out of the classroom. The Falcons are a testament to that. In the end, the Patriots were able to seal the deal in overtime, but the real victors are the players that did the simplest things perfectly over and over and over. This repetition helped them dominate the game.
I wish our kiddos knew this idea, that if you show up, give it your all every day in the little things, you too can make progress to achieve goals.
Students need to be the Falcons where they don’t take a learning opportunity for granted, where they work together towards a common goal and keep pounding (can’t help my Panthers reference!). Whether you win or lose, you were the better learner, building muscle memory for mastery and thats most important.
Students need to be the Patriots where no matter how far behind they are from others or their own goals, they keep stepping up to the plate to bat (or throw, catch or run!). Momentum will build and in the end you might find yourself a victor too!
Its important teachers bring these life lessons into the classroom for their students to relate to- the Superbowl analogy might just hook a learner for life!
How can you motivate kiddos when they are the underdog and/or the favored victor?
About the author, Gretchen
I am a teacher trainer and coach. Working elbow to elbow with teachers and teacher leaders to ensure instructional proficiency and student achievement soar lights me up. We have a real need in our nation for strong educators to remain in the field. My blog, book, podcast, courses and instructional materials are geared towards empowering teachers (and those that lead them) to receive the support needed to grow and thrive today, tomorrow and always.