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 :)