Feeling Free

Feeling free today. Today was a very productive day. We did two activities to help us understand that our students do not have the same thinking patterns as teachers. I think that was my biggest mistake last year as a first year teacher. I started the year assuming my students were equipped with the basic skills to be successful. I thought they would be able to perform not knowing their thinking was different because they didn't have grade appropriate social studies skills. Now I know why the caged students sing, lol. So, I have decided to have crash courses for each of each subject this year to get students familiar with the terminology that goes along with social studies. For U.S. History, I know students will need crash courses in government, economics, and geography. Once the students and I are confidence, we will move into the history of the United States. Also, Team, Base Learning(TBL) is something I really enjoyed. I gave out two group assignment last school term and that it was waste. It was a waste because it did hold individuals accountable and I was usually controlling the process. I was not facilitating the learning process. I think of so many ways TBL will benefit struggling students and students who slack. This is one way I can get to read. Students not wanting to read is my number one complaint. I was introduced to ways I can help students understanding important era and events. Since the major of objectives focuses on causes and events. What better way than to implement a reading strategies to dissect otherwise complex text and help them identify the what is important. I am seriously thinking about not using a textbook next year. Instead, I would like to find condense text on the specif topics. This will allow students to read and analyze. Last year was so draining. I had to study the textbook and create worksheets and reading materials for my students. Thinking about it, I did them a disservice. I mean, I was teaching 11th and 12 graders. I doesn't matter that the school was under the state or school improvement. I should have came up with a way to get them as close to grade appropriate work as possible. GAETI could have saved me lot of stress have it been around last summer. One one day with Dr. Huang. I wonder what is in store tomorrow.