We all hold assumptions about how the world works and at times our assumptions are invisible to us or held as truths rather than as assumptions. Others may hear our assumptions when we can’t. The assumptions paraphrase can be among the most powerful in mediating thinking because it can invite the person or group to see things previously invisible and then examine them for deeper meaning. Examples are, “An assumption you hold is that students learn best in the morning,” “What’s true for you is that girls and boys learn differently,” “We seem to be saying we have been attending to relationship over rigor for our students.”

The process of naming assumptions invites examination and reshaping of meaning for both groups and individuals. This week, make a conscious effort to listen for and label assumptions.