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I really dropped the ball this week on reflecting on my practice. Oh, I realized after specific lessons what was working, and what wasn’t, but I did a hideous job documenting this and frankly with 6 classes a day, 5 days a week, it’s hard to remember it all, so now I’m recreating from what I remember (dangerous, no?). Here are my vague recollections:
- Fourth grade lesson plan was NOT scaffolded or thought out enough. Hey, they can’t all be gems. I was showing them search results from NetTrekker and Google on toys, and having them write about which was trying to sell them stuff, and which was a better information source. I should have stated it more clearly, which would you use for a report in school, and where would you go shopping? Mush mouthed the entire damn thing. If you’re ever looking for a technology based lesson that was poorly planned, just copy mine, lol. Wow, I wish I could forget more about this one.
- I have the SDC class for ED students coming in with a third grade class. I tried to wing it with the same plan I had for the other third grade classes. I need a specific plan for incorporating the ED kids better. They are all so different, and have such different abilities, but I do have an aide with them, also some could be helpers. I just need a plan.
- We’re getting United Streaming at my district, so I’m starting to mix in some videos from there as part of my lessons. I got some nice stories to share with the primary kids before I turned them loose on the computers. This worked very well. I see that WBGH will be making parts of their library of video available for teachers to use in education. These are exciting times for me.
- Third grade has spotty level of permission to use audio, so I haven’t bothered with my plans for using Voice Thread. I may do plays they write on that, and have only the kids with permission do the voice talent. Instead, I had the Internet go down one morning, and had to do a last minute juggle. I came up with the idea of creating slides in PowerPoint on their unit theme (Friendship) with small groups. I had them pick a picture of friends, add a title, give three detail bullet points, and talk about examples from their lives. Each class made about 4-6 slides. It was WONDERFUL! I’d prefer it on the Web for all to see and comment on, but that is a battle for another day. There was a feeling of accomplishment in getting through with no connectivity.
- I met with my admins and they are impressed. Principal says I’m exceeding what he was hoping for already. My favorite part was this. He is fond of telling me, “Oh, you know all about that technology stuff, I don’t know what your doing, you know it better.” I showed him the upper grade blogs, and how the kids comment, then I respond to them. He said, “How neat, like interactive journals!” I think it made my point that it’s not just the technology, it’s using it to do a lot of the great teaching we already know about in a better more connected way.
The sad news from the week is in my other post.
8 responses so far ↓
1
diane
// Sep 22, 2007 at 5:52 am
Alice,
I’m thrilled by one really dynamic LP per day (week?), so don’t be too hard on yourself. How many other professionals work at so many different levels for so varied an audience?
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2
alicemercer
// Sep 22, 2007 at 7:29 am
Yeah, I just worry about one grade level being a dud regularly. Like if I have a good lesson for that 3rd/SDC in the next weeks, it’s cool. Fourth needs to have better writing, and their typing needs to improve to do this so I’m giving time for that and thinking about the prompts more.
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3
Rick
// Sep 22, 2007 at 8:48 am
Great points in here, Alice. As a former music teacher, I can remember which lessons worked and which didn’t. I think no matter where we’re at in our career, we’re going to have those lessons that our kids just don’t connect with. As pros, we learn from our mistakes and adjust accordingly. Glad your administration is pleased with what you’re doing!
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4
Lisa Parisi
// Sep 22, 2007 at 10:08 am
Alice,
Although I teach the same children all day, I face the same issues. I am always happy with one or two really great lessons for the day. It helps me regroup more easily after the disasters. Some day, I am going to be such an outstanding teacher that there won’t be any disasters. And, after 20+ years, I am still waiting for someday.
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5
alicemercer
// Sep 22, 2007 at 10:40 am
Just in case you all think I’m moanin’ and groanin’ too much, the idea of the reflection post is that on a weekly basis I put up what went well, and what didn’t so I can figure out what I learned. I’ll be doing this weekly. I don’t expect my lessons to be perfect, but I do expect if I made a big mistake (like in points one and two), that I’ll learn something from it. Perfect is boring. I’m doing something new, so I will make mistakes. On the other hand, if it’s all mistakes, and all problems, or if my problems are concentrating, and not going away, then I have a bigger issue. Primary is starting to iron itself out, but I am relying on some instructional sites that are not very “creative” (Starfall, etc.) What I’m hoping is that the kids while kids spend time on those sites, I can work with small groups.
Thanks to all of you for your supportive words and helpful words.
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6
Danielle Abernethy
// Sep 23, 2007 at 7:16 am
Alice – since you have access to netTrekker, then you have access to those great videos from WGHB! Lots of wonderful resources available in netTrekker!
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7
alicemercer
// Sep 23, 2007 at 9:37 am
Nice catch of that typo, it’s WGBH folks.
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8
Danielle Abernethy
// Sep 23, 2007 at 8:13 pm
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