Have you ever noticed the power of yet? Yet transforms “I can’t” into “I am still learning, and I will figure it out!”

 

With your students you may already use "yet" in your daily interactions. 

 

Student: "This math problem makes no sense. I can't do it."

Teacher: "You can't do it yet. Let's see if we can find out what's not working." 

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Student: "I keep getting so much feedback on my essays. I'm not a good writer." 

Teacher: "You may not be the writer you want to be yet, but we'll get there in time!" 

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Think back to when you were a child learning things for the first time. When was "yet" a beacon that led you past the point of giving up? 

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I can't play this piano piece yet.

I haven't scored a point for my team yet.

I can't crack an egg without getting a shell in the pan yet.

I am not comfortable speaking in front of the class yet.

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It's a powerful little word. It reminds us that learning is an evolving process, and that our current errors and missteps are part of the journey. 

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As adults we sometimes think we've grown out of the use of "yet" - but as teachers it can be just as important to apply this word to our own work as it is to apply it to that of our students. This week, see what happens when you put "yet" at the end of your struggles. 

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I haven't connected with this student yet.

I haven't made my zoom lessons hands-on yet.

I can't figure out how to use this online annotation tool yet.

I don't feel like my remote instruction is very engaging yet.

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Notice what happens when you intentionally use this word both with your students and yourself. 

 

For more inspiration, listen to Carol Dweck talk about the power of yet.

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