December 2011 Reflection
The end of a semester and old habits have come to an end. I think about my learning and the learning of my students as well. My journey has carried over to my classroom. One semester and I can see change in myself and my students. What a wonderful, wonderful opportunity I have.
As I said before, my classes are my community. I love the idea of creating my own learning - right back to my students creating their own learning. My purpose is to have them want to create their own learning. The changes in my own mindset have carried through to the classroom. I really focused on my 8th grade class and I won’t have them again until their sophomores. I know they will continue their quest for knowledge.
This journey has also helped me to look at things with a different perspective. I realize my students also have different perspectives and I need to respect and acknowledge these differences. Realizing these differences has helped me change my instruction, which led to engagement, interest, and joy for my students and myself. YEAH!!!
I want to touch on the power of community. Each month we meet and I always get tidbits of advice, tools, etc. It may be something someone suggests, or even something I overhear. One of our members talked about using the RAFT strategy for one of her lessons. It definitely falls under constructivism. After our gathering, I did a little research and applied this to a final project. It could not have gone better. It was one more wonderful example of sharing and learning. I have included it in one of my artifacts. This is a perfect example of community and the learning that takes place, not only at our gatherings, but how it overflows to our classrooms.
Well, I have some interesting thoughts that connect with our learning and that of my school. My superintendent would like us to lead the way and engage in competency based learning. After listening to his thoughts and sorting through readings and more information, I believe he is on to something How exciting for me, us, everyone. I know this is completely off-track, but actually not - I don’t believe it is a stretch to see how all of this (learning) comes together. I am letting this all “simmer” for some time . . .
I am looking forward to our new semester in January - both at school and our community. I have a new class (American Lit) that is only four or five students. They are all seniors and I cannot wait to apply my learning to this class. I have had all of them before and there are specific challenges that I look forward to. Imagine the opportunities I will have with this small group. I reflect on last semester and what worked well and what I struggled with - now I can use this learning to engage my students in their own learning.
I promised this would be a shorter reflection and I will hold true to my word. I would like to make one final comment - our reading for the month of December. Another book assigned just for me!!!! I truly find it remarkable that at times, (not all, but most), the reading coincides with my own classroom, my learning, and my school and how it is changing. Remarkable!!!!! I look forward to the new year. Happy New Year!!!!
As I said before, my classes are my community. I love the idea of creating my own learning - right back to my students creating their own learning. My purpose is to have them want to create their own learning. The changes in my own mindset have carried through to the classroom. I really focused on my 8th grade class and I won’t have them again until their sophomores. I know they will continue their quest for knowledge.
This journey has also helped me to look at things with a different perspective. I realize my students also have different perspectives and I need to respect and acknowledge these differences. Realizing these differences has helped me change my instruction, which led to engagement, interest, and joy for my students and myself. YEAH!!!
I want to touch on the power of community. Each month we meet and I always get tidbits of advice, tools, etc. It may be something someone suggests, or even something I overhear. One of our members talked about using the RAFT strategy for one of her lessons. It definitely falls under constructivism. After our gathering, I did a little research and applied this to a final project. It could not have gone better. It was one more wonderful example of sharing and learning. I have included it in one of my artifacts. This is a perfect example of community and the learning that takes place, not only at our gatherings, but how it overflows to our classrooms.
Well, I have some interesting thoughts that connect with our learning and that of my school. My superintendent would like us to lead the way and engage in competency based learning. After listening to his thoughts and sorting through readings and more information, I believe he is on to something How exciting for me, us, everyone. I know this is completely off-track, but actually not - I don’t believe it is a stretch to see how all of this (learning) comes together. I am letting this all “simmer” for some time . . .
I am looking forward to our new semester in January - both at school and our community. I have a new class (American Lit) that is only four or five students. They are all seniors and I cannot wait to apply my learning to this class. I have had all of them before and there are specific challenges that I look forward to. Imagine the opportunities I will have with this small group. I reflect on last semester and what worked well and what I struggled with - now I can use this learning to engage my students in their own learning.
I promised this would be a shorter reflection and I will hold true to my word. I would like to make one final comment - our reading for the month of December. Another book assigned just for me!!!! I truly find it remarkable that at times, (not all, but most), the reading coincides with my own classroom, my learning, and my school and how it is changing. Remarkable!!!!! I look forward to the new year. Happy New Year!!!!