This week was a really hard week because I have been so sick. After my sub trouble, I just couldn't bear to leave my students unprotected with another sub. But the longer I stayed at school the worse I felt and the more I lost my voice...for 3 days I just could not talk. To my amazement, my students stepped up to the plate and volunteered to teach what I had planned. They were great and actually went over and beyond what I had planned to do. The natural leaders took charge, dividing the lesson up among the class with very clear instructions to each group on exactly what should be taught including objectives. This happened in every class. Staying on task was not a problem because they were "helping Ms. V". The students took their new roles very seriously. What a joy it was for me to watch the students have so much fun learning the material they were assigned to teach. I have a new appreciation for lesson plans were and what a valuable lesson for me:
Great things can happen when I learn to let go and let the students teach.........
This site is a class blog space for new Career and Technical Specializations and Heathcare Science teachers enrolled in the New Teacher Institute (NTI) at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Georgia.
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2. Show respect and consideration of others when posting and commenting. This includes individuals, students, organizations, political parties, colleagues, etc.
3. Check all posts for spelling and grammar errors before posting.
4. Protect the privacy of others. Gain permission from other people before you write about them. Avoid sharing someone else's last name. Use job titles or pseudonyms when writing about experiences with your co-workers or students.
5. Watch your language. Use politically correct and non-offensive language.
6. Make sure you write about things that are factual.
7. Keep your postings education-oriented. Avoid discussing plans for the weekend, etc.
FINAL BLOG POST - OUR "DAILY TRIPLE" (DUE 12/1).
This week I would like you to use your imagination. You have just won the lottery and will leave your teaching post immediately to travel around the world. As you leave your keys you meet your replacement. You are asked to give this new teacher just ONE piece of advice. What would that be, and why? Enjoy your world expedition!
Blog Post - Week 7
This past week in my own teaching I felt a little disconnected which prompts my question to you, "What was the moment (or moments) when I felt most disconnected or disengaged as a teacher - the moment(s) I said to myself, I'm just going through the motions here?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 6
For the past couple of weeks you have experienced asynchronous online learning (doing modules by yourself). Previously this semester you have experienced synchronous online learning (all together in the Collaborate room). Which do you think is more effective and why do you think that? Which do you like better, and why?
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 5
This week we have what we call "open mic." You can write a post about anything related to your teaching that you would like responses from your classmates.
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 4
Here is this week's question: "What was the event that most took me surprise this week - and event that shook me up, caught me off guard, gave me a jolt, or made me unexpectedly happy?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 3
Please write a post about the following question, "In thinking about my past week teaching what is one thing I would do differently, and why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 2
Please write a post about the following question, " In thinking about my teaching activities this past week, of what do I feel most proud? Why?"
Fall Semester 2016 Blog Post - Week 1
Describe something you used in your program in the first weeks of school that you learned in the summer NTI program. How did it work? Did it get you off to a stronger start than last year?
4 comments:
I'm curious. Given the success of this approach, will you continue to utilize this teaching practice with your students once you're feeling better? Why do you think it was so successful? What do you think the students learned from taking charge?
I'm sorry to hear that you were ill. I too had been sick. In fact it was the day of my observation by Dr. Burns. I wish I had read this before that day. I tried to teach my way through the day. Way to go for you. Your students sound amazing - but I'm sure it is due to all of your hardwork and guidance that you had previously given them. I am like Jessi, what do you think your students gained from this experience. I have used something similar ( on days when I wasn't sick) to teach a really boring topic. I often get the students started and break the material done into segments and have them create some sort of presentation on the topic. It has worked to some degree. I have found that they need very clear directions as to the outcome expected. I have also found that their creativity really shines through.
Way to go Jan! No doubt, you have obviously set a very good example for your students to follow! On another note, maybe you should consider taking a day or two off to rest and get better.
It sounds like a neat concept. I've thought about allowing the students to teach some of the material - I just wasn't sure how to go about doing it. Did you just give them the objectives and suggestions as far as projects/classwork that could go along with the material? I'll have to get with you and find out how you went about doing this. I hope you are feeling better!!
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