Aloha Sherri in the Hawaii!! By the way, super jealous of where you are doing your practicum experience! Anyways in response to your Assignment 4: Module 2 Case 2, there are two things that really stood out to me. Firstly, I love your idea of introspection by the teacher. You mentioned that Mr. Jackson should reflect upon his strength and weaknesses in calibrating the instruction to learning but also taking this opportunity to model and encourage independent learning and risk taking. I think this was such a strong point in your reflection. In our two years, self-reflection has been huge and in my opinion led to a substantial amount of growth and development as teachers. What do you think your strength and weaknesses are in terms of class management?
Secondly, I strongly agree with your idea of integrating inquiry-based learning through curiosity and investigation to increase engagement from these two students. I think it is so important to make learning fun and captivating. Some material can be quite dry and I believe creativity plays such a huge role in success or likelihood of enduring understanding. This made me think about maybe letting the two boys kind of take the lead in integrating their ideas and interests into the class. By allowing the class to each create special projects or group projects that require a degree of investigation and inquiry which is then presented to their peers, Mr. Jackson could become the “student” for the day and learn how these two individuals teach; maybe in turn discovering how they prefer to be taught. Thoughts?
Great post Sherri! I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing :)
Aloha Erica Lynn, if it makes you feel better it's raining and cold out today? : )
Thanks for your comments on my paper, I appreciate your thoughts. Reflection for me is huge and I do it often, especially now being in the B.Ed program, as you mentioned. I think if you know yourself well then you know what you're capable of providing and that includes areas to work at. It's kind of like a relationship in a sense. All the gurus out there talk about knowing and loving yourself before you can love others. Well, I think the same principle applies to teaching because it is such a personal job. I can't help but bring my own life into the classroom and share it with the kids. When I come across neat artifacts, quotes or news I want to inform them.
As for my strengths and weaknesses in terms of class management I'd have to say 'time'. Kids come up with all sorts of cool ideas and conversation that we end up going off topic and onto something else that's just as cool and important so it's hard to stop that kind of learning when it's so engaging - especially when its student-led.
I like your thoughts on letting the two boys work at autonomy of their learning, I do agree that it creates that feeling of personal identity and ownership of where they want to go with it. Teachers who approach teaching as part of their own learning stand to gain a lot, from both the curriculum and the children. I've learned a lot from kids who've been to places I haven't and done things I daren't or don't want to - ha ha like show jumping. I'll let them be the champ and integrate that discipline and desire required of them into their classroom projects where possible.
Aloha Sherri in the Hawaii!! By the way, super jealous of where you are doing your practicum experience! Anyways in response to your Assignment 4: Module 2 Case 2, there are two things that really stood out to me. Firstly, I love your idea of introspection by the teacher. You mentioned that Mr. Jackson should reflect upon his strength and weaknesses in calibrating the instruction to learning but also taking this opportunity to model and encourage independent learning and risk taking. I think this was such a strong point in your reflection. In our two years, self-reflection has been huge and in my opinion led to a substantial amount of growth and development as teachers. What do you think your strength and weaknesses are in terms of class management?
ReplyDeleteSecondly, I strongly agree with your idea of integrating inquiry-based learning through curiosity and investigation to increase engagement from these two students. I think it is so important to make learning fun and captivating. Some material can be quite dry and I believe creativity plays such a huge role in success or likelihood of enduring understanding. This made me think about maybe letting the two boys kind of take the lead in integrating their ideas and interests into the class. By allowing the class to each create special projects or group projects that require a degree of investigation and inquiry which is then presented to their peers, Mr. Jackson could become the “student” for the day and learn how these two individuals teach; maybe in turn discovering how they prefer to be taught. Thoughts?
Great post Sherri! I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing :)
Aloha Erica Lynn, if it makes you feel better it's raining and cold out today? : )
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments on my paper, I appreciate your thoughts. Reflection for me is huge and I do it often, especially now being in the B.Ed program, as you mentioned. I think if you know yourself well then you know what you're capable of providing and that includes areas to work at. It's kind of like a relationship in a sense. All the gurus out there talk about knowing and loving yourself before you can love others. Well, I think the same principle applies to teaching because it is such a personal job. I can't help but bring my own life into the classroom and share it with the kids. When I come across neat artifacts, quotes or news I want to inform them.
As for my strengths and weaknesses in terms of class management I'd have to say 'time'. Kids come up with all sorts of cool ideas and conversation that we end up going off topic and onto something else that's just as cool and important so it's hard to stop that kind of learning when it's so engaging - especially when its student-led.
I like your thoughts on letting the two boys work at autonomy of their learning, I do agree that it creates that feeling of personal identity and ownership of where they want to go with it. Teachers who approach teaching as part of their own learning stand to gain a lot, from both the curriculum and the children. I've learned a lot from kids who've been to places I haven't and done things I daren't or don't want to - ha ha like show jumping. I'll let them be the champ and integrate that discipline and desire required of them into their classroom projects where possible.
Thanks again for sharing your thoughts too : )