I Love New Ideas

In the past week or so, working in schools and also learning in my classes, I have seen several new techniques that I can and will incorporate into my English class. The two ideas that have inspired me the most  is when we did a "book pass" in our Methods class with Dr. Mason. I have never seen this idea used before. First, the teacher will demonstrate how they pick out a book from the library. Then the students are given a  short period of time to look at one book at a time and rate each book as they go, reading the cover, and title page, or whatever else a reader uses to choose their favorites. This will be a great way to show students that there are a lot of books out there. Some may not be as interesting to you as others, but you can learn something from each one.

Also, I saw my CT doing a book club within her class. The students are given about 5 books that they can choose from and they form groups with the people who chose the same book (of course some modifications would need to be made for group numbers). They then do small group work over their reading, there is a question sheet they fill out given by the teacher that has different activities that they can do while they read. For example: write down quotes and either question, analyze, or defend it. Also, draw a picture of what you think it would be like to be that character and see what they see.

Having high school students work on activities seems most logical. They build several different skills while doing this: social, collaborative, and much more. They are forced to listen to other ideas and do different tasks each day. They will not bore as easily if they are constantly thinking and working.

 I have been brainstorming some goals for me as an educator and how I want to run my classroom.

I will...
- Have a community based classroom that comfortably allows freedom of speech
- Have the students thinking critically and engaging in the tasks assigned
       - I will accomplish this by having an activity based classroom. I will have to ask higher level
         questions, as related to the Blooms Taxonomy, and give plenty of wait time (LISTEN!)
             -workshops, Socratic seminars, debate clubs, etc.
- Model how literacy is used daily, so eventually my students will adopt the techniques I have shown them and be able to use literacy in their everyday life.
- Demonstrate my love of language and the power of communication
        - I will do this by always being enthusiastic, even if it is not my favorite subject to teach, enthusiasm is
         contagious!

To be continued...