This week my classes began a new unit: World War I. This unit was important for a few reasons. First, it is one area I enjoy studying and teaching. Second, it is the last unit I will be teaching with input from my cooperating teacher. And finally, I won't be teaching the unit...the students will.
This was another first for me. Although some may be tempted to think that the students are doing my job for me, this week has actually been one of the busiest I have had yet. I had to walk each group of students through the planning process, printing copies, answering any questions they may have, and offering suggestions and advice when needed. It would have been easier if I had just taught the lesson myself!
My cooperating teacher, however, pointed out that there were lessons the students could learn from this beyond what is in the textbook. They learn how organization is key to success, how hard their teachers work in assembling each unit, and how classroom discipline is key to learning. I could tell this to the students, but experience is always the best teacher. In a way, this lesson is about more than just the unit...it's a foreshadowing of how their lives will be lived.
At first, my students were understandably lost in their planning. They didn't know what they were doing or where to start. As each day passed, however, the students began to learn more and more about their specific lesson plans and what they should do to make things run smoothly. I gave each group an assignment they could used as the meat of their lesson, but they needed to build on it--the activity I provided was insufficient for a complete lesson plan. Most chose to include video clips and PowerPoints, but how they utilized them varied from group to group.
Starting next week, the students will begin to take over the class, each group taking a day to present their lesson plan. Although they are still worried, I have full confidence in their abilities and cannot wait to see their lessons in action. Who knows...perhaps a few may decide teaching is what they would like to do for the rest of their life!
Breaking-up the class into groups to teach a lesson is a great way for your students to learn. I have used that strategy when I taught High School. I had easels set-up around the room for the groups to use to teach from. As your CT stated there are lessons the students will learn that are beyond WW1. I think you will be satisfied with the end product. I can't wait to hear about the results in your Blog. Have a great week. Tell Mr. Dyke I said, "Hi".
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you are get a chance to implement this effective teaching/learning strategy. I have actually found that facilitating this type of "instruction" is more time consuming and difficult, but definitely worth it. Please keep me posted on how it goes and share in your next blog post.
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