Prompt- Field experiences relating to content literacy- observations, interactions, and questions. Response to Readicide. Suggestions for seminar topics on 3/08, progress with literacy explorations and strategy lesson, reflection for how to avoid readicide in your content area.
I've realized some things this past week with teaching. There are some of my kids who are very smart and know a lot of things and pick up things quickly and then there are the ones that surprise me with how little they know. I had a student come up to me the other day and ask me what inject meant. That was not a word I was anticipating having to explain to a 15 year old. After I asked her to repeat her word to make sure I had heard it right. I explained that it was "like when you got a shot from the doctor, when they put the stuff in you, that's injecting." It constantly amazes me how smart these kids are but at the same time how little they know. The things that I take for granted that they should know, they don't. Also, I've learned don't let a group of 9th graders go out in the hall to "discuss" an article, it won't end well and you'll end up getting complaints from not only them but other students who were in the hall as well. I just kind of assumed that since I did it, and preferred that, they could handle it. Well it was a failure for the first period that I did not repeat for the rest of the day. I led all discussions after that and the classes went much better.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Remember Kelly Gallagher's epiphany when the girl asked him who this guy Al Qaeda is. Seems like you had you own moment with being asked what inject means. The similarity is that many students are not exposed to text and talk of real world disciplines (science, social studies, math, literature) to develop the vocabulary and conceptual knowledge. Maybe it's time for science article of the week ;-)
ReplyDeleteI completely understand. I had a student ask me what an inch was? I was floored. I replied its on your ruler. To which the student said I know that but where on the ruler? This particular student is in the 11th grade. I also had a student ask me how to draw a checkerboard pattern, which made me question are you lazy or do really not know. Needless to say I didn't ask this question out loud. And an idea for discussions, let the students take turns leading the discussions in class. I think that they mi8ght think it's cool to play teacher and you could be happily surprised at how the discussions go. Just make sure to moniter it so it doesn't go down the wrong path.
ReplyDelete