Student ownership
I just saw a post today on student ownership and it really resonated with me!
When learning becomes personal, everything shifts. From motivation to engagement, the difference is real. Students begin to see themselves not just as participants in the classroom, but as active agents in their own growth.
And no, ownership doesn’t mean chaos.
It means intentional structure, opportunities for self-reflection, and giving students the tools, and the trust, to make meaningful choices.
It’s about setting goals with them, not for them. About giving space for their voices, their thinking, and their responsibility to shine.
It’s not always easy. It takes practice, support, and a shift in mindset both for students and for us as educators. But the impact? Lasting and powerful.
I’d love to hear:
What small moves have you made to support student ownership in your classroom?
Before creating groups for a new project, I have students rate themselves (1-4) on what skillset they will bring to a group. I provide a short list of skills (eg: researcher, leader, script writer, public speaker, technology). Then I create balanced groups that each have a leader, a confident speaker, a tech person etc. Once the groups are established, they meet and create their own research questions and deadlines. Choice + autonomy = intrinsic motivation.