Several articles that I have read recently listing the top reasons why people quit their jobs (not that I’m thinking of doing so) included a lack of autonomy or a micro-managing boss.  As professionals, or simply as people, we want to have a say in what we do and how we manage our time.

News Flash — Students also desperately want a sense of autonomy and we DO NOT want them to quit.

Here is the first of 11 ways to promote student autonomy in your classroom.  The list is ordered from simplest to most radical.

1. Let them Help

As a new teacher, I tried to do EVERYTHING myself so that I knew it was done right (or at least the way I wanted it).  Little did I know that students LOVE to handout/collect papers, turn off/on the lights, open/close the door, read aloud, pick the next student, write on the board, advance a slide presentation, sharpen pencils, clean whiteboards, move chairs/desks, take attendance, lead the pledge of allegiance, feed the class pet, update bulletin boards, write the daily learning targets/agenda, and much more.

High energy students may be particularly suited for this role.  Instead of trying to reign in their squirreliness, make it your ally. The students will feel more ownership of their class.  They will be active participants in making your class run smoothly rather than just passive observers watching you do everything (or more likely derailing your lesson with poor behavior).  In a way, you are teaching them responsibility, trustworthiness, and leadership. Yes, we all can be somewhat of a control freak in our classrooms, but don’t let that prohibit students from learning these valuable lessons.