EDU 6949-Internship Week 4
So far there are two main texts that we are using to support learning in the classroom. We use Everyday Math and Early Northwest Coast People to teach math and a variety of integrated social studies, history, art, communications and language arts lessons.
In math, it seems to me that the expected role of the teacher is to be a transmitter of information and the students are simply there to learn what the text says to. The lessons are very planned out and structured and there is little to no creativity needed to make them “work”. Even though they seem to work effectively, there is not much room for students to explore or discover concepts on their own. Every other lesson or so, there is an “exploration lesson” where no instruction is given and students are only given directions on how to finish the lesson on their own or in small groups. I (as well as the students) enjoy these lessons because it gives students a chance to use what they have learned to solve problems on their own while using their own strategy. I realize that math is a pretty cut-and-dry subject, but students need to still be able to make it their own. This allows them to connect with it better on a personal level which will increase the probability of having those math concepts stick in their memories.
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, the Storypath approach is much more interactive. The teacher becomes a narrator and group facilitator and the students literally transform themselves into the characters of the village. This dynamic is completely different from the hour we spend in math. The students are excited and invigorated and could easily spend an entire school day doing only lessons for this unit. It allows them to be creative while also learning about life for the people of the coast in the 1800s. In my opinion, it is a great way for students to really get involved with their learning because it encourages students to think and act like the early people. These are the kinds of experiences that students remember for YEARS to come!
Both of these texts have influenced my experiences as an intern because they are showing me how students react to different learning situations. While most students are doing well in math and understanding the concepts, it is incredible to see how much more students flourish when the learning reins are handed over to them. I wish that ALL areas of study could be as exciting and rewarding (for both me and the students) as they are during the Storypath lessons.
Kids clearly love the social interaction they get more of during the social studies activities, but they have demonstrated some pretty impressive mastery of challenging concepts during my observations of your math lessons, as well. Discovery learning through explorations is an essential aspect to be nurtured, but there is a balancing need to learn the vocabulary and common language needed to unravel higher level mathematics, as well. Your kids are getting a healthy dose of both, and that’s good! Thanks for sharing. David