Introverts vs Extroverts in the Classroom

 In the mid 1980s I took the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator personality test and found out I was an ISFJ.

That stands for: Introverted/ Sensing/ Feeling/ Judging. 

That's my personality type. It took me a while, but after a lot of research, I grew to understand and appreciate what it all means, and who I am.

The part I struggled with the most? The introverted part. I guess I just didn't understand what an introvert is. I knew I enjoyed my time with people, so I must be an extrovert, right?

Then I realized I was stuck on myths and didn't quite understand what those words meant.  

 

Here Are Some MYTHS About Introverts:

• Introverts are shy.
• Introverts want to be alone.
• Introverts are anti-social.
• Introverts are quiet.
  
• Introverts don't take risks.
• Introverts don't like fun.
• Introverts are hard to get to know.
  

Here Are Some MYTHS About Extroverts:

(Note: Sometimes this is spelled extravert. Either spelling is acceptable.)

• Extroverts love to talk.
• Extroverts are happier than introverts.
• Extroverts are more confident.
• Extroverts don't listen.
  
• Extroverts are loud.
• Extroverts are "attention hogs."
  
• Extroverts are the "life of the party."
  
• Extroverts don't experience anxiety.
  
• Extroverts never need "alone time" 
• Extroverts are easy to get to know 

There is some truth to most of these statements about introverts and extroverts, but there is a whole lot more to these stories!

 

Here Are Some TRUTHS About Introverts:

• Introverts are quickly drained by social interaction.
• Introverts enjoy alone time.
  
• Introverts are good listeners.
  
• Introverts are reflective.
• Introverts are observers.
  
• Introverts prefer small groups or one-on-one to large groups 
• Introverts prefer to think things through before talking or acting.
  
• Introverts take longer to make decisions.
• Introverts like time with friends, but prefer to do it on own terms.
  
• Introverts experience anxiety about making phone calls.
  
• Introverts prefer to write rather than talk.
  
• Introverts have difficulty with multitasking and adjusting to a constantly changing environment.
• Introverts need quiet to concentrate.
  
• Introverts can be perceived as "stand-offish" or even "snobby,"
  
• Introverts don't like being the center of attention, but don't want to be ignored.

Here Are Some TRUTHS About Extroverts

• Extroverts don't mind being the center of attention, and often love it.
• Extroverts take well to networking.
  
• Extroverts show feelings easily.
• Extroverts love to talk.
  
• Extroverts prefer to talk through problems.
• Extroverts make quick decisions.
• Extroverts prefer to work with background noise.
  
• Extroverts get bored when alone for long periods.
  
• Extroverts acts before thinking.
• Extroverts feel energized and inspired by socializing.
  

 Now Here's One BIG Truth About Introverts and Extroverts:

 

It's a scale! No one is completely introverted or completely extroverted!

We all draw from both sides!

Sometimes people use the term "ambiverts" for people who fall near the middle of the scale. I prefer not to use that term because pretty much everyone shows indicators of both preferences at some point. However, most people lean more toward one preference or the other.

Here's a quote from THIS article that explains it well:

"Extroversion and introversion refer to where people receive energy from. Extroverts are energized by socializing in larger groups of people, having many friends, instead of a few intimate ones while introverts are energized by spending time alone or with a smaller group of friends

The big takeaway: It’s not how you act but what situations you thrive in and get energy from." 

 

Well-Known Introverts

• Bill Gates
• Mark Zuckerberg
• J.K. Rowling
• Abraham Lincoln
• Meryl Streep
• Steven Spielberg
  
• Emma Watson
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Elton John
• Lady Gaga
• Audrey Hepburn
• Albert Einstein
• Eleanor Roosevelt

 Well-Known Extroverts

• Oprah
• Tom Hanks
• Steve Jobs
• Bill Clinton
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Jim Carrey
• Madonna
• Winston Churchill
  
• Ben Franklin
  
• Beyonce 
  

 

Believe it or not, I recently read this information (in THIS article) that shows a significant difference in how brains react.

"Introvert brains react differently to dopamine than extrovert brains do. That's a chemical that turns on the reward- and pleasure-seeking part of your brain. Introverts and extroverts have the same amount of the chemical, but extrovert brains get an excited buzz from their reward center. Introverts, on the other hand, tend to just feel run-down by it."

I've been studying this stuff since the 80s, and this really explains WHY we have these personality differences! We're chemically different!

I suspect by now you've thought about which side of the scale you fall upon, as well as your students. One thing to be careful about: when introverts are comfortable with someone, they'll become quite chatty! Don't let that lead you to believe they're extroverted! (Many people have confused me with being an extrovert because I become passionate about certain things, like brain research, and won't stop talking about it!) 

There are plenty of introverts as well as extroverts in your classroom. (Studies show it's close to 50-50.) It's impossible to cater to all their needs, all the time. (Nor is it in their best interest.) But here are some suggestions for supporting each preference and helping them be successful in your classroom.

 

Suggestions to Support the Introverts in Your Classroom:

• Make sure there are "quiet" times in your classroom.
• Give them time to think before they are expected to talk.
• Know their interests and passions and encourage these.
• Be sure to have one-on-one time with these students.
• Post a daily schedule and stick to a routine so they'll know what's coming up.
• Do "Reader's Theater" or a class play. (Believe it or not, many introverts shine with these genres!)
  
• Make sure there are places where they can be by themselves. (nooks and crannies)
• Help them work to develop friendships. (This is very difficult for introverts!)
  
• Use notes or email for communication.
• Remember, introverts get lonely, too! Make sure they have interactions with others and an opportunity to bond with classmates. Just keep it on a small scale!
  

 

Suggestions to Support the Extroverts in Your Classroom:

In general, most classrooms are designed for extroverts. (Just look at the amount of students in the room!)

• Give them plenty of opportunities to talk.
• Let them "call out" sometimes, without require raising hands.
• Give choices: work alone, with a partner, with a group.
  
• Give choices: oral report, written report.
• Allow for group discussions on what they're learning and books they've read.
• Be flexible with the schedule.
  
• Embrace them. 

 

 

Suggestions to Support the All Students in Your Classroom:

• Share information about introversion and extroversion and help them understand who they are. Make sure they know they are an important part of the classroom!
  
• Include Morning Meeting in your day, and make it clear that this is a safe place.
• Be a role model, verbalizing your respect for the differences in students. Show that you celebrate those differences. 
• When setting up your classroom, include areas for large groups, small groups, and individuals. Let children use them all.
  
• Give choices: work alone, with a partner, with a group.
  
• Give choices: oral report, written report.
• Give choices: read with a partner, read alone. 
• Touch base with all students daily, whether it be a group conversation, a one-on-one conversation, or just a quick not. They all need you.
  
• Don't hesitate to challenge them by going out of their comfort zone, but only a bit. (We don't want to traumatize them!)
  
• Embrace them for who they are. Celebrate who they are. Enjoy who they are. 
  

Years ago, I did a series of posts about the Myers-Briggs Personality Types, which I learned about during my Masters program. Here's a post about Introversion and Extroversion:

Myers-Briggs Part 2: How Do You Find Your Energy?

 

When I grew to truly understand what an introvert is, I grew to be proud of who I am. Unfortunately, this didn't happen until I was in my 30s. Hopefully, our children will learn who they are an appreciate themselves at a much younger age!

 

 

The Final Lesson:

All types need each other! 

 

Introverts become artists, writers, architects, librarians, psychologists, scientists, chefs, ITs, journalists, and accountants. 

 

Extroverts become managers, real estate agents, lawyers, politicians, salespeople, managers, event planners, nurses, life coaches, and human relations specialists.

Don't we need ALL these people? Of course, since most people fall closer to the middle of both preferences, our children really can be anything we want to be!

And I've known many, many teachers who fall under both preferences who are highly successful!

Speed Chatting!

Do you have a talkative group like I do? 

 Do you have kiddos that have so much to say they have trouble holding it in? 

Isn't it tough to find class time to let them get out what they want to say!

So I decided to try Speed Chatting. It works sort of like speed dating, without the dating part. 

I have the children make 2 circles. They partner off, and get a couple of minutes to talk! Then one of the circles shifts, and they have a new partner for chatting. They'll shift a few more times until they've had a several chances to talk.

Sometimes I give them a topic, and sometimes I let them choose whatever they want to talk about. 

Topics could be: 

• Tell about the book you're reading.
• Why do we need to regroup to subtract?
• What did you do this weekend?
• Talk about your favorite thing to do.
• Tell what you know about _________.
• Tell about a place you'd love to visit someday.
• What pet do you wish you could have?
• If you had plenty of money, what would you buy?
• What is your favorite subject in school?
• What do you wish you could have for homework?
• What do you like to do after school?
• What makes someone a good friend?
• What is something you wish more people knew about you?

I'm sure you can think of plenty more!

Right after the holidays, the kiddos were busting at the seams, wanting to tell about their vacations, staying up until midnight on New Year's Eve, and their new toys.  

We did Speed Chatting. We had to... there was no option, they were going to talk about their vacations no matter what. They needed to get it out. Either they'd be sneaking it in all day, or I'd let them get it out of their systems first thing in the morning. 

I chose to put Speed Chatting into Morning Meeting that day. 

Then they were ready to get back to work!

Honestly, I don't think kids get enough time to speak their minds these days. We're incredibly busy between testing as well as teaching an overloaded curriculum. This is a nice way to get them talking without missing much class time.

Enjoy Speed Chatting with your students! 

You'll hear some amazing stories!

Six Things to Remember on the First Day of School

Today was my 38th first day of school as a teacher. You'd think I've had enough practice at this, but I still get nervous on the first day. Here are a few things I have to remind myself about each year:

1. Don't try to do it all in a day, set priorities! I can't wait for the children to know all our procedures so we can get down to actual academics. But that takes weeks. Today, I focused on procedures during group shares.

2. Give plenty of opportunities to talk! This can be tricky since many of the children are kind of shy at first. I use "turn and talk" all the time, but it takes some warming up to be comfortable with the group. Start today, with limited expectations and lots of guidance. Today my students had to tell something they were looking forward to in second grade. I gave them several examples, which some of the shy kids used, and the more outgoing were able to go beyond the examples.

3. They haven't had to sit still or listen all summer! It's tempting (and often necessary) to do a lot of talking on the first day, but keep it short. After a few minutes of sitting still, they'll never remember what you said anyway! Want to help them remember? Have them repeat what you say, using gestures.

4.  Let them see you make a mistake or two.  Many children fear looking bad to the new teacher. It's important that they see mistakes are normal and encouraged. I definitely don't have any trouble making mistakes, but when I do, I model what I expect children to do when they make mistakes.

5.  Let them see you have a sense of humor. Laughter is an important part of every day. No matter how stressful the work gets, or how many tests you have to give, or how naughty the children might be, a sense of humor puts it all in perspective. There's a lot of learning to be done this year, but it's important to make it fun. Read a funny book or tell a silly story.

6.  Make sure they want to come back! Make sure there's at least one activity that is fun enough to make them go home with a smile, tell their families how much fun your class is, and make them want to come back tomorrow.

What else might you add to this list?

Five Useful Tips and Tricks!

I've been teaching for 39 years. I've been teaching in my present school for 31 years. I've been teaching second grade for 17 years. You might say I've collected a few tricks up my sleeves!

The more I read about studies on how the brain works, the more I realize that most teachers have figured these things out through experience. Now we just have the evidence to back it up!

Here are five things that I always keep in mind in the classroom:

We all know that children can't sit still for very long! Brain research backs that up. The average attention span is the child's age, plus or minus two. That means that my second graders shouldn't be expected to pay attention to anything longer than 7 minutes! They need brain breaks to break up those sessions. Plus movement aids learning (use gestures for the kids to mirror!) and helps get oxygen to the brain. 

The human brain is social. Kids need to interact! Talking keeps the children engaged and helps them sort out their thinking. Check out this guest post I did on Minds in Bloom called Keep Your Students Engaged With "Turn and Talk."  for more information and ideas on getting the kids talking.

In fact, integrating all the arts will help with learning. Did you know that music boosts brain organization? It affects our moods and emotions. Playing music in the classroom really makes a difference. Different kinds of music work at different times. Playing slow, classical music helps kids focus and concentrate. Fun, upbeat music helps them find energy during those sleepy times of day (after lunch?) or just plain makes the kids feel good. Putting important information to a familiar tune helps them remember things. There is no end to the possibilities of music in the classroom. 

Yes, you heard that correctly. Actually, experts tell us that false praise is actually harmful to the children. It's best NOT to tell children how smart or clever they are. However, honest feedback is essential for the children to grow. Instead of "you're so smart," tell them "You're getting better about remembering your math facts". Specific, honest praise is far more meaningful. It's ok to tell them they need to work at something. In fact, when they do work at that thing, and show improvement, that's when the self esteem builds! If you're familiar with Whole Brain Teaching, this is where the Super Improvers Wall comes in! (Sorry about the blurry picture, I'll try to get a better one when I'm done putting up this year's wall!)  

I suspect you already know the importance of a sense of humor in the classroom to survive as a teacher. Well, it's important for the kids, too. Learning and memory are very much related to emotions and having fun! I try to keep the jokes as much as I can, and include many games in my teaching. Making it fun means more learning will happen. (Plus, the memory needs repetition, and games keep that repetition from becoming boring!)

Links to other posts that have more information these sort of tips:

Twelve Strategies to Get From Working Memory to Long Term Memory

Ten Brain Based Learning Strategies

Giving Feedback

Laughter is Truly the Best Medicine

Music for the Classroom