Stuck on an Escalator

Over the summer I stumbled onto this video and thought it would be a great way to begin to create a culture of learning this year with the students I lead – Stuck on an Escalator

While watching the video most students chuckle and get frustrated with the characters in the video.

“Why don’t they just walk up the escalator?!”

After the video finishes we talked about how the video was literally about people getting stuck on an escalator, which is kind of silly.  It’s deeper meaning is the powerful one; most of the time the solutions to your own problems are just a few mental steps away.  After students talked and shared experiences they had last year working in groups I made them two promises…

1. There will be a time this year where you will be stuck on the escalator.  You’ll come up to me thinking you need my help but if I can see that you’re really close to figuring it out, I’ll tell you you’re stuck on the escalator and give you more time to work.  If I tell you this, don’t get frustrated, get excited because you’re really close to a solution!

2. There will be a time this year when you are working in a group and someone else is stuck on the escalator.  If you get frustrated with them at a time when they are already frustrated with themselves it will just make the problem bigger.  If a group member is stuck, be patient and help!  Think of a time you were stuck and how you would have wanted your partners to help.  Be the change you want to see.

I want my students to feel like its ok to struggle with their work.  We all struggle with our work.  We don’t need to get frustrated, it will just take time and planning to solve.  Giving them a silly metaphor to understand struggle has taken our community one step closer to dealing with frustrating situations with empathy instead of judgment.