tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post7235925291219386995..comments2024-03-08T00:17:09.224-08:00Comments on The Daily Grind: How Full is Your Bucket?Mr. McNamarhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03062641578010808106noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10132773.post-90044778229797935092008-01-23T05:30:00.000-08:002008-01-23T05:30:00.000-08:00Whenever I have a brainstorm like yours (having th...Whenever I have a brainstorm like yours (having the kids present at a PD meeting) my thoughts turn to how to get them there. What will the kids need in terms of information, skills, and techniques?<BR/>In this case you have to help them learn how to mine the book for the information, and how to connect that information with what they have learned in their own lives, so they can eventually present it in a convincing way.<BR/> Practicing close reading (briefly--having them pull quotes that they think are important from each section and explain what the quote means to them and why they find it important) and keeping double or triple entry journals as they read (they pull a quote and write it in the first column, in the second column they agree with it, disagree, or connect to it in some way—you can have a third column in which you or a partner responds to their thoughts) are just two of many ways to help them “discover” the info in the book.<BR/> As for skills, keep in mind that they already have some, but don’t necessarily see how they can bring them to bear in the situation you are setting up. From what you say, these kids aren’t dumb, just lacking in effort. They will need you to help them see how to tease out the significant ideas from a text, how to organize their thoughts, how to speak clearly before a group, how to present as a panel, how to figure out what the audience needs. In short, you have to teach them how to be teachers. <BR/>For techniques, they are going to need to be taught how to give an interesting presentation that engages the listeners and connects them with the information. You don’t want to embarrass the kids by having them stand up there mumbling something as they point to posterboards. You want to have them practice ways to get the teachers involved with the text, responding to the ideas, seeing the students as facilitators, not exhibitions.<BR/> My point here is that good planning means figuring out what you REALLY want the kids to gain from this experience and then organize activities that will get them there step by step. Keep in mind that the learning is in the journey far more than in the arrival.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com