Monday rolled around and I finally decide on how I was going to get my students mentally prepared and engaged to learn about the importance of international agriculture on Wednesday. I knew that I wanted to do more than just capture their interest, ultimately as an educator one of my goals is to change how my students view and perceive things, something that I know will be quite the challenge. With this in mind I began the search for that perfect "yes thats it" interest approach!
I always heard that you think of the best teaching approaches and lessons at the most random times, and so far that seems to be true for me. I had seen a similar activity relating to religion a few months ago and Monday morning while I was walking to work, bam, it hit me. This was the activity I need to engage my learners. With that I went to have my idea approved for Wednesday's lab.
The conversation went something like this "I saw this really awesome idea, and I have no idea what I'm going to do with it yet. It will, however, involve international agriculture, have the students' role, and global knowledge represented in some way". Mr. Rice said sounds like the start to something great and then I was off to figure out how in the world I was going to bring this idea to life.
Tuesday afternoon, I planned out the content of my lesson, then focused the rest of the night on my interest approach. I was sitting in the office with empty plastic cups in front of me, visualizing and talking to myself. Then finally it all clicked. Off to Walmart I went to purchase supplies, then home to test it all out.
Wednesday was lab and I was ready, but paranoid that my activity was going to flop even after all the practice. I knew that I only had one chance to get my learners interested in global agriculture, to set the stage for the entire unit.
It worked, it actually worked, I played music, I had a great tone, and my learners had the wow moment. I felt pretty good about how everything went and I think I really did set the stage.
After reviewing my peer feedback and my video I know that there was a little stumbling at the end of my interest approach and I forgot to include the aspect of seeing others diversity once we have global knowledge, but overall it went well.
After my interest approach I moved into my student learning objectives. I know I had a few awkward pause here and there. Stating the objectives for the day is something that I know I will have to work on for the future. I don't have that comfortable, ok class this is what we will do voice, yet.
Overall I felt really good about this lab, the best part is that I created what I now call Mind Moments, something that I think is a great concept. A Mind Moment, is a moment for students to open their minds to new ideas and concepts basically, it is a time for them to be thinking, listening, and observing. The definition needs a little tweaking but these 3 verbs are spot on for what I want these moments to encompass.
We always talk about how we as pre service teachers need to be creating learning artifacts and items that we will use later, which I have done and continue to do. But this is the first thing that I feel like I created on my own with my ideas and perspectives all coming together representing my teaching philosophies, and well its a pretty awesome feeling.
Hey Deanna,
ReplyDeleteI am glad that your lab was full of "Wow" moments and things that were clicking, especially considering you have spent quite a bit of time preparing. In terms of the end of your lab being uneasy, perhaps this is where you have a list of transition questions to serve as a safety net. As for your "teacher voice" with objectives I think that is a thing that will come naturally with a bit more practice. Great job! I'm happy it was a success full of your original ideas!
Deanna,
ReplyDeleteStating the objectives at the beginning of class is a tough idea to get used to. I found it easier this week in lab for me if I had it on the screen as a reminder to what we were doing. I am not sure what you did but this has helped me.
From your video, it looks like your Interest Approach went really well! I was very impressed with how poised and in control you seemed! I am glad that you have found a 'tool' that you can take with you into your future classroom. Much like you, I too have a difficult time smoothly incorporating my daily objectives into my lesson. I think that the more often we practice this, the better we will get!
ReplyDeleteHey Deanna,
ReplyDeleteAwesome reflection! Isn't that such a great feeling when your lesson worked out as planned, you feel your students made the learning connection and you created and implemented a teaching technique that worked! I would have to agree that stating the objectives is something that I struggle with as well. It's a small part of the daily routine that can easily be missed. I really like your mind moment idea! I think it's neat that you created this and can take ownership for it! Keep up the good work!
Dee!
ReplyDeleteObjectives, *sigh* they seem so simple yet are so easily overlooked. I am constantly reminding myself that I need to write them down and go over them. When I read your blog I thought you were going to sing with plastic cups like from Pitch Perfect! But I feel like you were reciting a beautiful poem! Did you make that up yourself? I looked like a great day in lab!
Deanna, you interest approach was such a neat one to see in person. I had never seen something like that! The only thing I was concerned about was that it was so intense and serious that students were not going to be as excited about the lesson. However, after watching you complete it I think the students will be interested! Awesome job!
ReplyDelete