So, here I go with my first week's blog posting...
One thing that has worked well for me has been my discipline policy. I have been more consistent in managing my classroom, especially the students in my Level 1 classes. It was beneficial for me to work on a classroom management plan over the summer and come in and institute it with kids who are new to my program. I had already begun to crack down during second semester last year... so my Level 2 class is actually a good class.
The thing that has not worked well for me is lesson plans. I understand that lesson plans are important, but given the fact that I have been teaching people how to do television production for the past six years, I have found that they tend to cause me to stumble and feel more inept than prepared. I do make a list of the things I need to discuss, but by in large, video production is a hands-on talent. I am doing my best to get into the habit of using them, but as they are more of a hindrance, it has been difficult.
I tend to agree with you on the strict lesson plan type teaching. I have found that as long as I have a basic outline of what my students need to learn that day, I do better in situations where I just jump in and get to it, so to speak. I worry more about if I am following my lesson plan that what the students are doing sometimes, so I have had to kind of adapt my lesson plans so that they are more of a sketch of time frames rather than actual step by step plans of how and what I am going to teach. I also found that my lessons are alot drier when I overplan them and my students don't seem to enjoy them as much or learn as much that when I am more spontaneous and hands on.
ReplyDeleteJosh this is Vincent Simpson I'm in your group email me at vsimpson@clayton.k12.ga.us so we can talk or call me at 678-522-8693
ReplyDeleteSorry wrong person!!!
ReplyDeleteThat's great about your discipline. It's nice to know that students know your expectations and follow through with them.... it's a great feeling and relieves a weight off your shoulders.
ReplyDeleteI agree with the lesson plans. I hate them. They totally get in my way. I may have two identical classes but they definately are at different paces and can't follow the same plans. I am constantly modifiying for the HUGE NO. of special needs students that it totally changes my entire lesson. I write down my topic and my overall objective and let the students create their own class. It works great for me and THEM!! Plus they feel they have input or say-so, and they actually ENJOY doing the work!
Josh, I can sympathize with you regarding the lesson plans. I understand how vital it is to make sure students have the proper instructions but sometimes you have to deviate from your lesson plans. There are some days where I feel I need to lecture or reach my students in a different manner. I have found this to be the case with several other teachers.
ReplyDeleteDeviation isn't a bad thing. I look at my lesson plans, cross things out, add notes in, and adapt. I usually give a lecture before doing an activity. It's like explaining things before letting them do things. I find that I deviate the most during the activity lessons. As I was letting the students practice depth of field, wide/narrow angle shots (placing the camera far from an object and framing, then moving the camera closer and framing), it occurred to me that something was missing. So, in the middle of the lesson, I had them draw on a piece of paper, roughly, what they saw in the first set-up (far from the object) and repeat the process after they move the camera closer to the object. Then I had them explain in writing on the paper what differences they saw. Everyone said, “more detail in the background.” That’s what I wanted them to notice! But they probably wouldn’t have gotten it just by looking in the viewfinder. I did what was on the lesson plan, but added something positive. See, deviation is good.
ReplyDeleteMy boss had me do different lesson plans. He wants the bigger picture most of the time, mainly week by week. I am sometimes frustrated by the lesson plan structure, especially when I got behind. I am now using a old style book called Sqibb's Lesson Plan Book No. S2WBX
ReplyDeleteIt is a great organizer and calender planner.
Hi Josh,
ReplyDeleteLesson plans are not supposed to be a burden - they are there to help you. I probably need to talk to you to see what we can do or modify to make them work for you.
Without a plan you are destined to fail. Dr J.