Relection 10

For this week in class we came together as our groups for teaching the 6th grade class. In our group we were assigned to come up with an idea to teach the students. This proved to be harder than I thought. With 8 people in our group, each being very different and having different opinions, we couldn't agree on an idea. Everyone thought their idea was best, or would shoot down the others ideas without providing an alternative. I learned from this activity how important a leader is in group work, not only in the learning environment but in the professional world. In the end Geoff had to come and talk us through, he became the leader, and everyone finally agreed on the topic. We then broke up into smaller groups, giving the freedom to each group to teach their individual topic how they would like. I learned that you need to give people assignment and take control or else nothing will ever get done. Working together as a group is something we will be teaching and we need to know how to do it ourselves, so that we in turn can explain and help the students that will be in our groups and emphasize the importance of a leader in the group. Also the other students need to be helpful and positive.

Reflection 9

Today in class we had several more student teach the STL's. I learned the following about becoming a better teacher based on their instructional methods:
Write new vocab on the board - everyone won't know how to spell it or remember what it means
Be specific with activities and times - sometimes activities take longer that you expect, tell them and make sure they stay on task.
Don't let them form own groups - kids form clicks and some kids don't have friends.
Mass confusion - no one will want to form groups with people they don't know
Have enough worksheets - if someone doesn't get a worksheet they won't know what to do
Don't have distractions on slides like a dinosaur unrelated
Data - be specific on numbers, be accurate, don't exaggerate facts
Make sure everyone understands the terms used.
Body language
Set up activity
Don't be too quick with responses
Double teaching, class room management

I think that I can improve on all of these thing which in turn will make me a better teacher.