I want a classroom of thinkers and active learners. I am tired of busy work and moving from one subject to another without anything tying together. BUT, I am not ready to give everything up and change the whole process I go through each day. I am, however, rethinking my learning stations during the reading time. What if I make some changes there like add different types of text, have children discuss books together, etc. I know my main focus has to still be oral reading and comprehension, but if I am completing the teaching table with fidelity, the kids could really benefit from the activities I read about in the book.
I love the conferences with children and the teacher note taking. I will also continue to see the areas of strength and weakness from the teaching table. I am going to rethink the learning station time in my classroom, and see what I can do to improve this large block of time when some children are not engaged at all!
I agree Robbie, the station games and most of the papers are just busy work. The children either don't do it at all or jot something down to make us think they are doing the assignment. I also want to look for things that will be more meaningful to the children instead of some of the same things over and over again. The children need to gain that desire and passion about reading to keep them interested. The discussions are a great idea but you have to find a way to reach every child, not just the ones that chose to read the materials. That's one to ponder on a while....
After reading this book, I am now going to be more purposeful in my daily actions. I am going to display better listening as students talk, so that they will feel they have my undivided attention. I also want to concentrate more on making sure that students understand the concept being taught instead of rushing to finish. Much too often finishing a lesson is accomplished but student's complete understanding of the lesson objective is sacrificed. I can improve on both of these two items by simply slowing down and not feeling that rush to the finish line for the day. It is important to keep in mind that quality is better than quantity.
Teaching with Intention has lots of helpful information. Being a new teacher, this was very helpful. I really like the section where Debbie Miller talks about philosophy of teaching. It also has many ideas to help in setting up classrooms. The only thing I didn’t enjoy about this book was I felt I was rushing to read the chapters that were assigned. I feel like I didn’t receive all the information from the book.
I agree with everyone also. I need to slow down and listen to my student's and give them a chance to express their thoughts and ideas more. I feel that I rush on too many things just to get everything in and I do not listen enough. I also agree with Kippie that I to need to focus on the concept taught. My goal is listen more and focus on the concept and make sure the students comprehend before moving on.
You all make some great points. I also feel the need to listen to my students more, but like Lyn, I change groups so often that this is sometimes difficult. I will have to think some more about how I can accomplish that. Debbie Miller often mentioned "guiding him/her as a reader". Do I do that? I don't think I have ever asked a child "What did you learn about yourself as a reader today?" and share it with the class. Especially with my small groups, I don't ask that type question and now I am convinced that I should! They need to be able to articulate what we did in the lesson that will help them with their reading. Like Robbie, I want students to be thoughtful readers and that involves teaching them to be thinkers first. I think I will work on these things in January!
The one objective that I hope to achieve is to listen to my students more than I do now. I am a control freak so it is hard for me to let them lead in class. I am getting better but I still have a long way to go. Oh and for everyone to know who I am this if Gail Heard. Sorry it always post to my nickname of darkangel.
I agree with Robbie and Jeanine about our reading stations. I feel there are other activities that could be more beneficial to student learning than the ones that we are using now. This book made me give more thought to actual student learning/engagement and I am pondering ways to change some things so that the students' growth is maximized!
This statement from Chapter 8 that begins "Do we race through the day in a frantic sort of way,..." sounded like many of my days. I race from classroom to classroom and from student to student. The end of the statement from Chapter 8 is how I strive to spend my day, but often feel like I fall short: "or do we slow down, determine what's essential, and teach those things deeply and well?"
I like Kippie's comment very much...."It is important to keep in mind that quality is better than quantity". Like many of you, I often feel like I rush through a day to 'get the lesson done'. It seems we are trying to do a bit of EVERYTHING, but may not have the time to make sure each thing is done with meaning or in a way that will have a long term impact on our students. I also feel like I have spent alot of time trying to ensure that the students are listening to ME.....now I want to make sure I take more time to listen to my STUDENTS. The challenge is as always - TIME! I need to be more creative in finding ways to listen to my students and responding to their thoughts and ideas.
I want a classroom of thinkers and active learners. I am tired of busy work and moving from one subject to another without anything tying together. BUT, I am not ready to give everything up and change the whole process I go through each day. I am, however, rethinking my learning stations during the reading time. What if I make some changes there like add different types of text, have children discuss books together, etc. I know my main focus has to still be oral reading and comprehension, but if I am completing the teaching table with fidelity, the kids could really benefit from the activities I read about in the book.
ReplyDeleteI love the conferences with children and the teacher note taking. I will also continue to see the areas of strength and weakness from the teaching table. I am going to rethink the learning station time in my classroom, and see what I can do to improve this large block of time when some children are not engaged at all!
I agree Robbie, the station games and most of the papers are just busy work. The children either don't do it at all or jot something down to make us think they are doing the assignment. I also want to look for things that will be more meaningful to the children instead of some of the same things over and over again. The children need to gain that desire and passion about reading to keep them interested. The discussions are a great idea but you have to find a way to reach every child, not just the ones that chose to read the materials. That's one to ponder on a while....
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this book, I am now going to be more purposeful in my daily actions. I am going to display better listening as students talk, so that they will feel they have my undivided attention. I also want to concentrate more on making sure that students understand the concept being taught instead of rushing to finish. Much too often finishing a lesson is accomplished but student's complete understanding of the lesson objective is sacrificed. I can improve on both of these two items by simply slowing down and not feeling that rush to the finish line for the day. It is important to keep in mind that quality is better than quantity.
ReplyDeleteTeaching with Intention has lots of helpful information. Being a new teacher, this was very helpful. I really like the section where Debbie Miller talks about philosophy of teaching. It also has many ideas to help in setting up classrooms. The only thing I didn’t enjoy about this book was I felt I was rushing to read the chapters that were assigned. I feel like I didn’t receive all the information from the book.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone. I want to strive for a more meaningful classroom. I am going to try to do more listening and less talking to students.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everyone also. I need to slow down and listen to my student's and give them a chance to express their thoughts and ideas more. I feel that I rush on too many things just to get everything in and I do not listen enough. I also agree with Kippie that I to need to focus on the concept taught. My goal is listen more and focus on the concept and make sure the students comprehend before moving on.
ReplyDeleteYou all make some great points. I also feel the need to listen to my students more, but like Lyn, I change groups so often that this is sometimes difficult. I will have to think some more about how I can accomplish that. Debbie Miller often mentioned "guiding him/her as a reader". Do I do that? I don't think I have ever asked a child "What did you learn about yourself as a reader today?" and share it with the class. Especially with my small groups, I don't ask that type question and now I am convinced that I should! They need to be able to articulate what we did in the lesson that will help them with their reading. Like Robbie, I want students to be thoughtful readers and that involves teaching them to be thinkers first. I think I will work on these things in January!
ReplyDeleteThe one objective that I hope to achieve is to listen to my students more than I do now. I am a control freak so it is hard for me to let them lead in class. I am getting better but I still have a long way to go. Oh and for everyone to know who I am this if Gail Heard. Sorry it always post to my nickname of darkangel.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Robbie and Jeanine about our reading stations. I feel there are other activities that could be more beneficial to student learning than the ones that we are using now. This book made me give more thought to actual student learning/engagement and I am pondering ways to change some things so that the students' growth is maximized!
ReplyDeleteThis statement from Chapter 8 that begins "Do we race through the day in a frantic sort of way,..." sounded like many of my days. I race from classroom to classroom and from student to student. The end of the statement from Chapter 8 is how I strive to spend my day, but often feel like I fall short: "or do we slow down, determine what's essential, and teach those things deeply and well?"
ReplyDeleteI like Kippie's comment very much...."It is important to keep in mind that quality is better than quantity". Like many of you, I often feel like I rush through a day to 'get the lesson done'. It seems we are trying to do a bit of EVERYTHING, but may not have the time to make sure each thing is done with meaning or in a way that will have a long term impact on our students. I also feel like I have spent alot of time trying to ensure that the students are listening to ME.....now I want to make sure I take more time to listen to my STUDENTS. The challenge is as always - TIME! I need to be more creative in finding ways to listen to my students and responding to their thoughts and ideas.
ReplyDelete