Student Teaching

So I had a unit where I allowed my students to teach the lessons. I didn't give them must guidance, kind of let them go at it and try for themselves. Even during the lessons, I didn't correct much of what they were doing or saying, let them try some things, make mistakes and figure it out for themselves. Wanted to see how they would handle things on their own. I learned several things from this activity about myself as well, and I feel it was a great activity.

First, I noticed that only one group out of 12 or so, used any form of technology. One group in all my classes made a powerpoint presentation for their lesson. It was a really good powerpoint presentation as well. So I was impressed with that. Most of the students decided to use a lecture-style teaching approach. This allowed me to relaize how these students view the activities in my class. They obviously think that the only way to teach math is through lecture, and I think my teaching style has caused this view.

So I am currently looking at ways to get away from the lecturing-style so much and try some new things. Mix it up a little so the students have different activities and utilize different intelligences in a lesson. Also, I'm starting to realize that I do not need to use the exact book lessons in succession to show and display the concepts. I have learned this from my principal as well. He said that the text should be a supplement, not the source of information and lessons in the classroom. Currently, I am starting to look for ways to implement different concepts and then summarize a little later with the book or get some practice from the book.

Things this year are still busy. Just starting to get different ideas and other things like that. The prep and work for these ideas is keeping me busy. Looking for ways to get the same ideas across to the students while at the same time diminish my workload and not kill myself so much. Just need to change things up a little and make adjustments.

Aaron