It has been a busy week, but it was fun to get together with my group and talk about the chapters. I really liked the chapter on creativity. I think it's because it reminds me of when I first started teaching in Wisconsin. I was handed 3 binders (one for each class I was going to teach) and let loose.
The binders contained our standards-based Japanese curriculum. I was also told that as long as our students can reach the objectives (Students will be able to do~), it didn't matter how I did it. I was given the analogy of driving to Milwaukee. I could take the highway all the way down or maybe the scenic lake front drive. It didn't matter as long as we all got to the same destination. Very well put I felt. It also gave me a little breathing room as I was able to relax and focus on how I wanted to teach and not worry about trying to copy someone else's style that may not match mine.
As for teaching problem solving... it reminded me of something a student said to me once, "Why do you always answer a question with a question?" I told her that it was because I was her teacher and not her answering machine. I would ask probing questions until they got it. I tried really hard not to give out the answers.
Not giving out the answers can be really, really hard. Especially in the high stakes testing world of today when we feel like we don't have a lot of time when we feel like it would be more helpful to just give them the answer so that they can get on task. However, as we're learning... some of the best learning is when we're taught how to problem solve on our own or with guidance. I love the whole zen of it all. I feel like a martial arts sensei working with students named Grasshopper and Willow.
Although it can be frustrating for students, I have always believed it is best to help students help themselves. In my case it was because I knew I had already given them the tool to answer the question they were asking. This method becomes infinitely trickier as there are so many resources that I don't know about and I will have to trust in my students to choose good sources and be open to them teaching me new things.
So... there's my 2 cents for the week.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I have the same type of flexibility at my school. We are given the curriculum but are expected to teach to the standards. Becoming a challenging task as we move to common core standards. They give us the map but we choose the route. I can use the textbook or I can create my own materials and teach the same thing. I usually create my own and just worry about the standards.
ReplyDeleteIt's a little harder in First Grade but I also try to have my students find their own answers. I often tell them they get to "teach me". They love it! I can't wait to try my project based learning/problem solving learning project this spring just to see what they can answer for themselves!