MAC-Week 3, Response to Rebecca Girard's Blog

Rebecca Girard, I really enjoyed reading your blog entry on your reading. “I have become comfortable telling the students when I didn’t know the answer to a question. “ Because I teach special education, I feel it is really important that the students know that no one knows everything and that is okay. What we really need to know is where our weak areas are and learn where to find the resources we need to assist us in getting the answer.

I totally agree with you that we should have our students bursting at the seams to blurt out an answer. My students seldom raise their hands; I prefer a dialog rather than the “sage on the stage”.

My Vice Principal has commented on my evaluations that I need to “teach” the students to raise their hands and wait to be called upon. Yuck! As you say, “I know how controlled chaos can crate a dynamic learning environment.” Besides, my kids are ADHD, they don’t have impulsivity control, (neither do I), why fight a losing battle?

It is because of them I have altered the way I was taught and now I teach in an authentic way with the excitement and joy of discovery. Why hold that back? 

Image Source: Microsoft Office Clipart; MC900439384

Rebecca Girard

http://engageandmotivate.blogspot.com/2012/06/wk-3-reading-entry.html#comment-form

Leading from any Chair, Rule #6, the Way Things Are, and Giving Way to Passion all present information that is true and helpful, but in no way unique or new to me.I challenge my students every year to fully participate in class. I encourage them to question not just the scientific content, but the text itself and also my discussion and presentation. I want them to be empowered to fully participate in their learning and transition from elementary/middle school learning of reading, memorizing, and then repeating what they learned on a test. I hope to help them find ways to inquire, wonder, and explore their world and not just rely on another source to impart knowledge to them.

In order for me to truly welcome the questioning I encourage, I always need to remember not to take myself too seriously. I have become comfortable telling the students when I don't know the answer to a question. I give them ideas for resources for them to research the answer and ask them to share what they learn with the class. I do not find this a failure of teaching, rather I would have enjoyed having more teachers in my academic experience who could have admitted that they didn't know instead of dismissing my questions. I feel this demonstrates to my students that we are all still learning and working together to discover new information.
This give and take in my class keeps me interested and excited to teach the same subject year after year. The experience in my class is never the same and there are new scientific discoveries all the time. It is easy to be passionate about what I do. I love working with teenagers who are really craving to be engaged.

We start off as "one buttock" students...remember being that 5 year old who can barely keep their seat as your hand pumps in the air with an "oh, oh, oh" because you had the answer or a burning question? Over the years, we are taught to sit in our seat, raise our hand appropriately, and be quiet so you will be called upon. On the contrary, I want my students compelled to answer or ask questions. I love seeing their interest in a subject ignited so that they sit up straight and their hand shoots in the air...in many cases my students will blurt out answers or respond to each other directly. For many this may seem like chaos in a classroom, but in not taking myself too seriously, I know how controlled chaos can create a dynamic learning environment.