Good Teaching
To teach…it comes from the Middle English word techen , which means to show or to instruct. But what is considered good teaching? I guess it’s pretty subjective. Since this is my blog, I get to share my opinions!
How many of us worry that our hands on classrooms where real learning is happening might be construed as chaotic and out of control? Consider this…a classroom where children are doing real research for an authentic purpose. They simply want to know more about frogs. They aren’t doing research because it will help them do better on a test. They aren’t answering questions that their teacher made up to fit an archaic form that teachers have been using for the last 20 years. They aren’t gathering information for a boring animal report that no one will read.
Instead, they have real questions that they want answered. Their teacher has modeled for them how to ask questions, how to use informational texts to find their answers, and how to put their findings in their own words. Really, what are you learning if you just copy the author’s words?
Why frogs? To scaffold their learning, the teacher asked her students what they wanted to learn more about. Their choice? Frogs. They are thinking about getting a frog for a class pet, so it makes sense to learn more about them. Are they only learning about bull frogs (you know, what it looks like, what it eats, where it lives)? No…these kids had LOTS of questions about all kinds of frogs. And their teacher honored their thinking by allowing them to ask their questions and she taught them how to find their answers. (Eventually they’ll be choosing their own topics and using what they learned to research their questions).
Is it quiet when they research? Are students sitting silently at their desks as they copy information from a book (answering the teacher’s questions)? No! Why would they be? What happens when we find interesting information? We can’t wait to share it. I drive my husband crazy when I read something that makes me stop and say, “Wow!”. I make him stop what he’s doing (or whoever is sitting close by) so I can tell him what I’ve learned. Well the same thing happens in this classroom. Kids are sharing information and coming up with new questions. They are excited about their learning! Their learning has purpose!
Good teaching is happening in this classroom and lots of other classrooms like this one. Kids are being SHOWN that their questions are important and their thinking is valid. They are being SHOWN how to find their answers and the importance of working cooperatively with others to create something special.
Sometimes we worry when we are one of these teachers, especially if we are brand new teachers. What will others think when they pass by my room and kids are spread all over and having conversations? My advice? Surround yourself with others who believe like you. You are on the right path and your kids will only benefit from your thoughtful decisions and the atmosphere you have created in your room.
