What fun and interesting meetings we have had this week! Our attention has been on trees and how they are useful to us. I started by asking my learners how trees help us. I was so happy with the myriad of ways they listed. Their replies included food (of course!), furniture, books, pencils, medicines, herbs, shelters for people and animals, and many other responses. Someone suggested entertainment; you can build a treehouse, play hide and seek behind and in trees, have a picnic, or read a book under trees.
One of my environmentalists asked how paper is actually made from wood, and from that, the questions came pouring forth. We checked the laptops out of the library and began researching their topics. This has been a very educational week for them and for me!
The thing I love most about doing this project is the opportunity it gives me to really "see" what my students' backgounds of experiences are and to tune in to their knowledge bases. Seeing them think outside of the proverbial box has been a real eye-opener for me, and I am getting to know them. What I am learning from them and about them would never have been revealed through our ARMT and SAT standards, Alabama Course of Study guidelines, or even my district's guidelines ( but rest assured I am meeting those requirements, too!). Practicum has made me wonder just how much autonomy and voice I have allowed my students in the past 28 years! Do I need to ask my former students' forgiveness?
There are so many neat websites about trees and with activites for students of all ages, but three really cool ones are:
http://pencils.com/ (Be sure to see the Teach & Learn section)
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/trees3
http://treelink.org/
"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come."--Chinese Proverb
One of my environmentalists asked how paper is actually made from wood, and from that, the questions came pouring forth. We checked the laptops out of the library and began researching their topics. This has been a very educational week for them and for me!
The thing I love most about doing this project is the opportunity it gives me to really "see" what my students' backgounds of experiences are and to tune in to their knowledge bases. Seeing them think outside of the proverbial box has been a real eye-opener for me, and I am getting to know them. What I am learning from them and about them would never have been revealed through our ARMT and SAT standards, Alabama Course of Study guidelines, or even my district's guidelines ( but rest assured I am meeting those requirements, too!). Practicum has made me wonder just how much autonomy and voice I have allowed my students in the past 28 years! Do I need to ask my former students' forgiveness?
There are so many neat websites about trees and with activites for students of all ages, but three really cool ones are:
http://pencils.com/ (Be sure to see the Teach & Learn section)
http://urbanext.illinois.edu/trees3
http://treelink.org/
"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come."--Chinese Proverb
Children these days are so smart and we can learn from them just like they learn from us. The research for this seems great and the children seem really into it. Ahhh the joys of teaching. I received a "going green" paper from publix this week on recycling. I'll send it to you and maybe it will help enhance your project even more.
ReplyDeleteI love your line about asking "forgiveness." I have often thought of that myself each time I learn something new and better :-) I think that all we can do is make sure that our new knowledge has a positive effect on the way that we do things from this point on. I can tell from your excitement that it will!
ReplyDeleteI get a kick out of checking your class's progress weekly. You guys are having so much fun learning. Hey, try not to fret about the past 28 years. I am sure you were an excellent teacher then as well. However, all we have in live is what we have at this present moment. So continue to do the best for your students and keep up the fantastic work.
ReplyDeleteThe Teach and Learn website is neat. Always great to view other teaching lesson plans. And time to get to know your kids above testing...yipee!
ReplyDeleteIt is so nice to see how the students are so into their work now that they have a say in how the project will turn out. I really wondered for a while if my project would actually work out because they chose such a big project to undertake. The students have all work together as a team to get it accomplished. It looks as if your class is working together as a team as well. They learn a lot from each other by doing this project. I have been learning from them as well.
ReplyDelete