In Mr. Cohen's class, we began with a five minute write (we usually do) only today it was more structured. Usually the kids are allowed to go wherever their pen takes them for five minutes. Today, the kids were asked to write about the story they're working on--as a kind of refresher. More than just the story-- the kids are forced to think about how they want to approach it. This early in life, this classroom they are already thinking about how they want to learn a story. There's something very unique about that.
Also I wanted to document a few teaching techniques I learned today:
1) "I'll start the five minutes when it's quiet" In this case, the student will write for five QUIET minutes. This technique of waiting can be effective. It puts the pressure on the student instead of the teacher--the teacher just waits. The emphasis of "who is learning here" is put.
2) "Hold your questions--write them down." If Mr. Cohen is speaking to the student, there are certain times where he can't afford interruption. Sometimes questions can interrupt and fragment class discussion (especially with the distracted attention and guts to ask pretty much anything of younger people). By telling the students to write them down, the teacher pushes the student's focus to what is being said, rather than the question they want to ask. Holding a question also, nurtures a much needed virtue--patience. Also, sometimes there just isn't time.
Another thing I noticed about this classroom that there is a HUGE use of new technology to enhance the learning;. They are making small videos in which they are creating and editing using new technology.
They're using Media Blender to make their storyboards for the movies. They are also using iMovie for editing their story. The movies are as sophisticated as they need to be to still be about the writing and the kind of action that creates.
Today I learned about professional days--you don't use personal days for conventions, which is kind of a cool thing.
We were talking about specific student today. There is one student he mentioned who gets fidgety in the classroom. Mr. Cohen lets the student get away with it because this classroom is the first time he's engaged in an english class. I forget what parts of your history play into your current place in a classroom. There's a certain record already established for you even before your new instructor hands out the syllabus in September.
I also noticed that in this class, there is a lot of visual thinking in this class which is really in line with the things that I'm interested in. For example, there's this graph, where the x-axis is event, and the y-axis is scale. The graph is used to show how in one of their projects, they will pick a trend to expand on--a transition between events as opposed to a single moment.
Another thing I learned is if a student walks away, you don't let them get away--if you do, you're instantly the pushover.
I am feeling more part of the class. And wondering what kind of lesson plan I will create. Or what I will teach.
No comments:
Post a Comment