It feels great to be finished teaching my creative writing unit for the KPTP...now I just need to finish writing the KPTP and all will be well!
The unit was exciting and went by too quickly. I really think students enjoyed it even though they didn't always show it. Of course, there were a couple who only enjoyed creating their own poetry/drama pieces and could not get excited about reading published works. I suppose that may be an acquired taste for some. I would have to say that this was one of the most fun units to grade papers, by far. Some of the students really surprised me with their talents. I think the most interesting lesson was seeing various examples of concrete poetry and then guiding the students to create their own. As we have learned in previous classes, giving students choices appeals to different learning styles and usually increases student engagement. It sure worked in this classroom. The students least favorite lesson was probably haikus, which surprised me a bit. My students just did not find them very interesting. Of course, it was one of the last lessons and it seems like all the seventh graders are already on spring break, if you know what I mean!
The past few weeks, I have also learned that I can use delivery strategies that encourage students to focus and work more quickly. I also learned I need to monitor the time spent on activities within each lesson more closely. Since I always over plan just in case students finish quickly, it seems a little frustrating towards the end of a lesson when you want students to try something new and exciting! Can anyone suggest other ways to get unwilling students to participate?
It seems like choices in the classroom seems to be something all student teachers are starting to pick up on! I think that poetry is a great example for students to be able to flex their creative muscles in the classroom, and really attempt to show the class, and the teacher, who they really are. For the spring break thing, I believe this illness takes over the students right around the first day of March. It's VERY important to change things up around the week or two before spring break so kids don't start drifting off on your prior teaching methods you've been using the past two months. By switching up your style/lesson/differentiated instruction you can find ways to use all that energy they have and use it in a productive way! Maybe we as teachers needs to look at spring break as almost more of a blessing. It's the chance to challenge ourselves and try different things and for some, we don't have much of a choice! I think you have a good grasp on how to get students to participate, but I do have a suggestion. If we have a nice day outside in the next couple days, even after Spring Break, utilize it. This doesn't mean you have to take the class outside the entire period. Try a 15-20 minute activity outside. It's a great change of environment, and I think you will find a postive experience and energy filled students for this!
ReplyDeleteMr. O'Daniel
Hi, Nancy.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.behavioradvisor.com/MotivationStrategies.html
Here is a website that has many interesting strategies to help non-motivated students participate in class. I know you're in a middle school classroom, and many of the strategies on this site seem fitting for middle school students.
One way I have encouraged student participation in my student teaching experience is simply asking students for suggestions. Trust me, high school sophomores love sharing their opinions! This allows students to feel important but also may provide you with helpful suggestions to increase student motivation.
Let me know what ends up working for you!
Good luck,
Sarah