Day two of teaching sixth graders
04/03/07 11:57 PM Filed in: Teaching
experience
Today was the second day that Brock and I taught
sixth graders at Driver Middle School. Once again
today was interesting and provided to a valuable
learning experience. The students remembered a
surprising amount of information from yesterday's
class. They seemed to be more comfortable with
Brock and I just was we were more comfortable with
them.
One thing that I found very interesting was the simple fact that most of them appeared to be enthused about learning. In my mind I have inadvertently gotten this image that all students in all schools sit at a desk with a blank look on their face. In order to counteract this response, my courses emphasize student engagement. I'm not saying that it's bad to advocate for student engagement. On the contrary I think its great that they emphasize the topic. What I am trying to point out is that not all students are disinterested about learning. I think its easy for us to pictures students staring at us blankly while we feel like baboons standing in the front of the room talking about something they couldn't care less about.
These students have been very active and engaged in the class. I'm really excited to see what happens tomorrow as we spend the entire class period fabricating the Delta Darts. I'm not quite sure how the whole situation will work out but I think its going to interesting to see how a hands-on activity will help them become more involved in the class and also force them to construct some of their own learning.
One thing that I found very interesting was the simple fact that most of them appeared to be enthused about learning. In my mind I have inadvertently gotten this image that all students in all schools sit at a desk with a blank look on their face. In order to counteract this response, my courses emphasize student engagement. I'm not saying that it's bad to advocate for student engagement. On the contrary I think its great that they emphasize the topic. What I am trying to point out is that not all students are disinterested about learning. I think its easy for us to pictures students staring at us blankly while we feel like baboons standing in the front of the room talking about something they couldn't care less about.
These students have been very active and engaged in the class. I'm really excited to see what happens tomorrow as we spend the entire class period fabricating the Delta Darts. I'm not quite sure how the whole situation will work out but I think its going to interesting to see how a hands-on activity will help them become more involved in the class and also force them to construct some of their own learning.
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