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.........
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?
ReplyDeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteWay 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.
ReplyDeleteIt 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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