Sunday, November 8, 2009
Catching Up
So I have a lot of catching up to do, but I can do it. Dawn said something in class that made me think. She said that we should be having some sort of struggle, but I'm not sure how much of a struggle I should be having. I'm having a very hard redesigning the way that I teach. I just don't have time. Looking at the pacing guide, I'm already 3 days behind where I should be. I haven't posted in weeks because I don't know what to post. I don't know how to incorporate the change that needs to happen. HELP!
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First of all, Kate.....don't be too hard on yourself! Change is a process, not an overnight activity! In fact, when I went through the ITS program, I didn't even realize that I was undergoing a change until I was well into it!
ReplyDeleteYou can't redesign the way you teach all at once....There is too much to do and you would never have time to sleep. I have a few suggestions:
1) Simply taking the time to reflect on current lessons and units can be helpful. Jot down some notes as you complete lessons and units. That way, when you have the opportunity to redesign the unit, you will have notes right there.
2) Choose one unit and redesign that. But be sure to give yourself the gift of flexibility....As you teach it, you may realize that you want to do something differently - so modify!
3) Continue reading and following along in class. This "input semester" (as Priscilla calls it) has a lot of reading, and you may not understand or appreciate all of it at once. But by the end of the ITS program, you will most likely be able to reflect on the readings differently and see how they could help you. You may even want to reread some of the books!!
4) As far as what to post....just write about your ideas and struggles and successes with design. What are you designing? A lesson on Explorers? A group activity? What are you considering as you design?
This is a busy time of the semester, Kate, so realize that most everyone is busy and feeling a bit overwhelmed.....you need to start somewhere, so jump in and start with a lesson or a unit and see where that takes you. You can do this!!