I really have to start posting my blogs before Claudia does, as she is always stealing my thunder. I also loved the exercise on page 94, but I haven't thought of anything that will go with it yet.
I guess I can kind of pat myself on the back for already doing some of this stuff in my classroom. I have already been modeling my writing to the students. However, I have yet to do it on the projection screen. I think that next time I will try to write it on Microsoft Word so that they can watch it on the big screen in class.
I also share in the frustrations of Kortny(phenomenal pic by the way.. is that some sort of springer spaniel? maybe a short-haired pointer?) in that I am constantly trying to get my students to push beyond their self-inflicted limitations. I am always hearing, "Mister, I am not that smart. I don't know." Then, when I push them, they get it right! I also have problems getting them to understand that at least putting forth some sort of effort is better than nothing.. even if their answer is way off. This takes me down another road that I could vent about though, and that is everything having to be graded... ugh.
The one thing that I didn't fully understand was the part about how repeating the students answers is a good thing. I have done this many times already in class, and my co-op says that this is a bad thing. So now, I am trying to make sure I don't do it. I am confused. Any help on this?
Getting students to write more "exploratory" essays is a good thing.... I just worry if they will think it's a productive task; though I suppose it is my job to make them see that.
Thanks for the idea; I never thought of projecting a Word Document.
ReplyDeleteI talked to my co-op today about repeating answers back to the students and she thinks that it's a good thing. It (1) lets the students hear what they said (because let's face it, most of them just blurt stuff out without thinking), (2) helps us as teachers to make sure we understand what the students are saying, and (3) it's helpful for the rest of the class because not all students pay attention to what their classmates are saying.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, the dog is some sort of springer mix (a hybrid, if you will). It's actually my cousin's dog, but I'm pretty much the only one who can control him!
I like the idea of repeating questions back, and after reading this chapter, i noticed that i had done it in my RPG for this week. I agree with the book in the thought that it validates what the students say. They know that you heard them because you can repeat what they say (a la you're mother when she thinks you're not listening to her, "are you listening? tell me what i just said").
ReplyDeleteI also think that repeating back the answers to the kids can clarify for other students. Sometimes, students don't answer the question in the clearest way, so it's good to rephrase so that everyone is on the same page.
Also, i think getting our kids past the self-limitations is going to be a lifelong battle. Especially where we're teaching, there is a lot going on with these kids, so we need to be a constant support and uplift them as much as possible.