One month down...

I can not believe that it has already been a month! There has been so much covered, and so much review. The more that it gets drilled into my head, the more I understand it and how it is important for the classroom. This website has probably one of the most viewed websites in my history lately. I think it does an excellent job in covering the Models, Strategies, Methods and Skills. I keep referring back to this particular reading because I still get mixed up sometimes on all the different types. I realize that this is a very important important of lesson planning, because you want to incorporate all of the different styles. Whether Direct, Indirect, or Interactive this reading has showed me there is a huge range or teaching methods out there. Another article , about direct instruction has also taught me a lot about this important style of teaching. "I do it, We do it, You do it" is the most important part I took out of this article. It put into my head that the I do it part is important because you are teaching the students new information. By having your students do it with you, you are taking a small step to independence for the students, when the "you do it" stage is occurring you are giving your students complete independence. You are letting them know that you have complete faith in them. These two articles plus the many more I have read over the past month have made me realize that my feelings about teaching and learning has changed. I never knew that when a teacher was standing in front of the classroom giving a lecture that they were actually direct teaching. I now realize that there was a point when the teachers would lecture, go over problems together, then let the students to problems by themselves. The layout of classes finally makes sense to me. This all hit me the past few weeks. By reading, class lectures, and group work I realize that there was a reason to everything. Group work has made me understand this even more. When I am talking to my classmates it makes me understand things more. When I hear other peoples views and thoughts on a topic it makes me look at something in a new light. Doing projects, such as the Direct Instrution lesson, shows that collaborating in education is very important. I feel that you will never grow as a teacher if you do not share views and ideas. Another way that I get to see what my classmates are thinking is by looking at their blogs. Sally's Blog is one that I enjoy reading because she really covers all aspects of what we learn in class. I also love all the side links and pictures throughout her blog, I wouldn't even know how to do half of that! Another blog that is great to read is Wendy's. She really reflects everything in depth. It is great reading how other classmates view the material. It is also a great review! Well I am glad that another semester is in full force, and another semester full of information is overwhelming my brain. I can not wait for the next few months! I can't imagine what is ahead.....but I am looking forward to it :)

Presentations Galore!

Group work! It is an important part of teaching and learning. This was a huge week for group work. The whole class took turns in teaching this week a different part of Direct Instruction.The first group to go was the Anticipatory set, with Dawn, Jessica and Heather S. They did a great job describing how to start up a Direct Instruction lesson plan by using a Voki. It was also great that they had us split into groups and had our create our own Anticipatory set. For example, our topic was rainforests. They followed the "I do it" "We do it" "You do it" model perfectly! The next group to go was "Explanation, Modeling, and Demonstatrion. Christina and Nicholas did a great job presenting. They started out with giving us spider rings and singing the "Itsy Bitsy Spider". They also showed modeled demonstration by creating a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It was a great example on how the teacher shows "I do it". Our group was next with "Guided Practice" It was me, Dennis and Laura. I feel like we did ok but could have done better. I know I would have spoken less from the PowerPoint and my paper. Overall, I think we did give all the information that covered Guided Practice. Guided Practice helps the students grasp and understand the lessons. There are three ways to check for understanding, Didatic Questioning, Reciporcal Teaching, and Recitations. Feedback is also very important in this stage. The next group to go was Drill and Practice with Pam, Wendy, Kelly and Sally. They had a great way of getting the classes attention by marching into class. They were very knowledgable about Drill and Practice by following the I do, We do, You do. Homework was up next with Bridgett and Brian. They did a awesome job going through the pros and cons of homework. Such as it gives the students a chance to practice, but a con is that parent involvment can be to much. I also like the 10 minute rule, by Harris Cooper. When the grade should determine how much homework they get. For example first, should get ten minutes. Fifth should get 50 minutes. I think its smart because of course the older a student gets the more homework they can handle. The last group to go was Closure and Evaluation by Kellie, Susan and Emily. I think they did an awesome job decribing how to close a Direct Instruction lesson. They had a great opener, they showed all these pictures such as doors, drawers, and gates. They got the point across that whatever you open you have to close.
Overall, I think that everyone did an excellent job and it gave us a great practice of teaching. It also really drilled in our hand the Direct Lesson Plan.