A Blessing in disguise benefits of stepping away from technology and the importance of steps

             Over the past week and a half my students have been engaging in group projects. Each group has a different empire in either Africa or the America's to research. Within their groups each person is responsible for researching one of the following areas: geography, social order, politics and culture. So from Monday to Wednesday using a set of questions I created for them related to each topic, the students used the computers to do research about their empires. Originally scheduled to be in the computer lab all week,  on Thursday, due to scheduling confusion our class was forced to have class outside the lab at the tables in the library. Unaware that this might happen before class I had decided to go through their group folders and provide each student individual feedback and points for all the work they had done thus far. In going through their work I discovered most people had answered all their research questions and were ready for the summary stage. So students were able to use this class time to summarize their research and answer a set of reflection questions about the project and what they were learning. I know that if the students were in the lab most would have spent their time on twitter or some other irrelevant site. In addition, those who had been disengaged initially were able to see how many points they had at this stage and move forward. I have found that the use of steps and consistent feedback is extremely helpful when scaffolding students for larger projects. 
   

           Last week I discussed how upset my students were when I told them we would be working in groups but I have witnessed a complete transformation. Students have become accountable for one another and truly developed a sense of community. Moreover, this day away from the computers, really revealed to me the growth that had taken place.

the trials of group work

After going over my evaluation with my Penn mentor and visiting other schools through my cross visits I felt moved to plan more activities that would require my students to work collaboratively with one another. Moreover, coming to an end on my unit on the middle ages I figured it an opportune time for the students to learn about Africa and the Americas prior to the age of exploration. So this past week I introduced them to a group project that they would work on over the next week and a half. Each group would be given an empire in either the Americas or Africa that they would research and then teach the class on. Nonetheless, on Thursday before I could even get to the meat of the project I met much resistance.

I had strategically grouped the students based on personality and ability. In addition, I had the students take a multiple intelligence test and informed them that I used these results, in addition to many other factors, to determine their groups. I had anticipated a few complaints so in effort to get them thinking about the importance of group work I had asked them to list the benefits of group work in their Do Now and introduced the word Ujima meaning collective work or responsibility in kiswahilli. Nonetheless, as soon as I announced the groups many were disgruntled; some refused to move from their seat to their assigned groups; while others, blurted out that they did not want to work in a particular groups because their group was dumb. After raising my voice, in class parent phone calls and a few threats I had quelled the insurrection. I wondered why they were so anti-group work and asked my self if there was anything I could have done  differently to make them more comfortable. The next day went much better. They divided roles and responsibilities then picked the research area that they would be working on. Next week they will continue to work in groups on their projects and I am hoping that there is no regression and that through this experience they become more comfortable in working with others. 

Sharpening the Sword and Staying Sharp

Upon my first week back of teaching I had could not help but feel dull. Looking back on my first week of teaching in October I can remember being excited and pouring my heart into my lessons plans still to feel that they were not enough. Don’t get me wrong I still spend time and energy planning, but initially there was not one lesson where I did not attempt to situate the material the students where studying into some broader social cultural context. After I was almost through the lesson which had been on the middle ages I thought I could have made connections to social hierarchy today and feudalism  more explicit; or I could have used the bubonic plague to frame a discussion around public health. Once my gse classes began in the next week I quickly realized the issue. In order to stay sharp I must surround myself with others who are interested in being sharp. It is vital that I stay connected to a community of practitioners interested in social justice and seeing the world as it could be. With my 10 day break and then 1 week of only being in the schools, I had not the chance to reconnect with those who stimulate and constantly share new ideas and approaches i.e. my peers and mentors (aka instructors).

When we meet on Wednesday for my methods class, my instructor put the following quote up by Bell Hooks right before she dismissed us “ Education at its best—this profound human transaction called teaching—is not just about getting information or getting a job. Education is about healing and wholeness. It is about empowerment, liberation, transcendence, about renewing vitality of life. It is about finding and claiming ourselves and our place in the world.”  This reminder was exactly what I need and my initial feelings of dullness revealed to me how important it will be to keep myself stimulated once I leave this program. As a future educator I will seek an immediate family that will be there to remind and support me when I seem to be veering away from my understandings of education. 

Back In Action

There is literally no place like home. After a very short break I was quickly how much I love my family and California. Unfortunately I did not get the chance to see many friends:( But playing candy land and watching movies with my baby sisters on new years eve was simply priceless. I had two christmases one in Texas and one in California. I flew into Texas and drove back to Cali with my family, while the two day road trip was not as excruciating as I thought it would be it ate up 2 days of my 10 day break. Some day if I ever become a super entendent I will ensure students and teachers have at least a full two weeks off. At any rate, yesterday I kissed my sunny skies goodbye only to be greeted by freezing philadelphia.

Evidently this cold permeated the school walls and when I walked in this morning I still felt like I was outside. My classroom was so cold that we had to find another room on a different floor. Generally, when we switch rooms the students seem more serene this however was not the case today. I am not sure if it was the cold or the fact it was the first day back but many were rowdy and disinterested in working. Surprisingly, two that generally give me trouble were very engaged. We went over new years resolutions and last year reflections, we also established collective expectations and reviewed the rules.  From what I gather this semester will require a different approach. Soon I will be taking over three more classes as well as my own g.s.e coursework; in short, the intensity will increase. I am excited and afraid of what is to come.