This weeks blog topic of what I would do differently could be really really really long if I listed everything that I'd want to try and perfect. Teaching construction is both challenging and rewarding, but the pursuit of being a great teacher is something I suspect will never have a finish line.
My classroom is much more organized this year than last. Part of that is of things I learned in my first year, but the summer's NTI session was extremely beneficial. However, organization of my classroom is not my #1 weakness, but rather I'm focused on finding more and more solutions to making learning construction fun and engaging for my students.
Therefore, if I had to change anything it would be to change my daily teaching approaches from simple short lectures and peer tutoring exercises to include a broader scope of instructional tools to both keep content presentation new and fresh, but also engaging and fun. The first 2 online classes have been key in my thought process about what new things I can inject into my teaching structure to challenge the kids and get them to process the necessary information.
This coming week I'll be armed with new ideas that I'll use to present the Unit Material with. I'm going to try Reading Groups, Drill Partners, and Focus Trios, which are 3 approaches I've not yet tried in my class. Hopefully they go well and are something we as a group can continue to use in an effort to make learning fun and productive at the same time.
I aqree with you Craig when you say you want to use different teaching methods. I like to do different things to make class more interesting. I just can't seem to find enough time to create these different methods such as new powerpoint presentations. It seems like there is always a meeting, Skills USA activities, or a 504 meeting or something. due to the lack of a planning period makes it hard too. When i get home I work on school work and still can't seem to find the time to make nice project rubrics aqnd powerpoints. I do say though that I work pretty well under pressure and sometimes I get ideas at the last minute better that end up working well! Thank God! LOL
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