Day 2 - Every Student Matters - Their Game Cards Matter
Updated: 16 hours ago
Welcome back to SWAY Canada — A SMART WAY to Learn, Earn, and Play!
I'm Brian McCarthy, a retired Canadian teacher who spent 33 years in the classroom.
In our first lesson, I introduced WAY Cards as a practical way to learn students' names, encourage fair participation, and begin building a classroom community.
Today, I'd like to introduce myself.
Why? Because I believe one of the most important principles in teaching is this:
Never ask students to do something you're unwilling to do yourself.
Throughout the WAY Game, students will be encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, create Game Cards, work in teams, and occasionally step outside their comfort zones.
If I'm asking them to put themselves out there, I should be willing to do the same.
So, let me tell you a little about myself.
The Teacher Who Struggled in School
You might be surprised to learn that I wasn't a particularly successful student.
I struggled with reading, spelling, mathematics, and concentration. I failed Grade 8 twice.
School was often a place where I felt unsuccessful.
Eventually, I attended Stanstead College, a boarding school in Quebec, where I began to see myself differently.
Two childhood experiences have stayed with me throughout my teaching career.
They taught me something important about the influence teachers have on their students.
Story 1: Three Inches That Made a Difference
It was my second day at Stanstead College.
The school was holding an outdoor activity day to welcome the new boys.
One of the events was the javelin throw.
I had some experience throwing the javelin at my previous school, so I decided to participate.
To my surprise, I beat the Head Boy, a Grade 12 student, by three inches.
Shortly afterward, I overheard a teacher remark that he wished he'd recruited me for his school house. He probably didn't realize I was listening.
But I never forgot those words. For a boy who had struggled academically and arrived at a new school with little confidence, that simple comment meant a great deal.
Someone had noticed something I could do well.
It gave me confidence when I desperately needed it.
Story 2: The Question I Was Never Asked
Now let me tell you about a very different experience.
I was in Grade 5 French class. Our teacher, Mrs. S, was moving up and down the rows, asking students to translate French words. Sister Superior, the school principal, was accompanying her.
When the teacher reached my desk, she cleared her throat and moved on to the next student. I wasn't even given the opportunity to answer. Sister Superior said nothing.
I remember how that moment made me feel. I wasn't worth asking.
Perhaps the teacher didn't intend to embarrass me. Perhaps she thought she was protecting me from giving a wrong answer. I'll never know. But I do know I'll remember that moment for the rest of my life.
Your Teaching Challenge
Think about the two stories I shared. Then ask yourself:
How will I make sure every student in my classroom feels noticed, respected, and capable of learning? You won't get everything right. Neither did I, but awareness is a good place to start, along with the tools of the WAY Game.
What These Experiences Taught Me
Two teachers. Two seemingly small actions. Two very different memories.
One teacher helped me feel capable. Another left me feeling inadequate.
Neither may have realized the effect of their actions.
As teachers, we don't always know which moments our students will remember.
A word of encouragement, a thoughtful question, an opportunity to participate, or a moment of kindness can make a lasting difference.
That's why I believe relationships are at the heart of effective teaching.
Every student deserves to be noticed, respected, and given opportunities to succeed.
Why Respect Matters in the WAY Game
The WAY Game centers on participation, teamwork, questioning, creativity, and respect.
WAY Cards help teachers organize participation and learn students' names.
CAP Notebooks give students opportunities to organize and express their thinking.
Game Cards encourage students to create questions and activities for classmates.
Pathfinder helps students, parents, and teachers better understand the learner.
These tools don't replace good relationships. They provide opportunities to build them.
Students bring different strengths, interests, abilities, and experiences into the classroom.
Our responsibility is to recognize those differences and create opportunities for everyone to contribute.
Your first Game Card: Who Are You?
One thing I enjoyed as a classroom teacher was telling stories.
I even created an imaginary character named Ernie, my alter ego, who occasionally offered advice. Stories gave me another way to connect with students. For this lesson, I've included a Game Card that introduces me. I created it using PowerPoint, combining pictures, icons, text, and other graphics.
Now I'd like you to consider making a similar card.
Your challenge: Create a Game Card that tells others who you are and what you stand for.
You might include:
Your interests, hobbies, and strengths.
Something you've struggled with or learned from.
A person who influenced you.
Three values you consider important.
A question you'd like others to answer.
You can use PowerPoint, drawings, photographs, or another creative tool.
AI may help you generate ideas, but the story and choices should be yours.
The purpose isn't to create a perfect card. It's to practise expressing yourself and understanding others.
Grow at Your Own Pace
You don't need to master SWAY Canada before you begin teaching.
It's a collection of practical tools, techniques, stories, and resources I developed in my classroom. Start with one idea. Try it, reflect on the results, and make adjustments.
As you grow in confidence, introduce another technique.
Over time, you can help students move from teacher-guided activities toward greater independence and responsibility.
Small changes can make a meaningful difference.
Building Relationships with WAY Game Cards
I made this Game Card when I switched from Word to PowerPoint; the formatting is better. This is the second card to start your Game Card collection. I encourage everyone to make their first Game Card based on who they are and what they stand for. I make my designs the old-fashioned way, with clip art, screen captures, word art, icons, and pictures. Experiment and see what AI creates.
Here is the first Game Card I made using PowerPoint. Icons are a good way to document activities. Start your Game Card collection with cards from each lesson. Cards act as Memory Triggers for the things you do.
Focus Questions
for Reflection
How can a teacher's words or actions influence a student's confidence?
Why is it important to recognize students' individual strengths?
How can stories and Game Cards help build classroom relationships?
What would you want your students to remember about you?
What's Next?
In our next lesson, we'll look at four short classroom videos featuring my Grade 5 students demonstrating the WAY Game. You'll start to see how the tools and techniques come together in a real classroom.
Welcome to SWAY Canada.
Brian McCarthy
Retired Teacher and Founder, SWAY Canada
Learn to Play — Play to Learn.
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