"To Be or Not To Be"

This was an OK week for me. I am just now learning how to relax or "chillax" (chill and relax) as my baby tells me. I am beginning to realize what is important and what is not important. I am now incorporating into my lesson plans to allow my instruction to be student centered rather than teacher centered. Rather than me standing at the front of the classroom and lecturing for 20 minutes, I allow the students to get into groups and plan the lesson that they as a group will teach or present. They of course don't like it because they have to do more work and have to actually read the chapter, which they have not done in the past. I decided to switch to this format so that they could be more involved in their learning. I also allow them to use whatever teaching aids necessary. I incorporate "hands on" in this as well. Some reasons that I include this in the lesson plan is to help them develop leadership skills, team-work, creativity, assertiveness and critical thinking skills. This is my approach from now until the end of the semester.

One frustrating thing that happened this week is that I caught a student cheating on a test. In the past, I have had a very watchful eye. I guess that I need to step up my game. After I caught the students, they of course denied it. I offered the student the opportunity to "prove me wrong" by taking the test again. Needless to say, she did not. Situations like this cause me to question my reasons for choosing education. I have to keep in mind the adolescent lesson that we had this summer. I also have to keep in mind the students who really appreciate me and come to greet me or tell me thank you.