Last week, we talked about teaching according to the "big picture". However, this week I feel like I'm truly starting to apply this as I begin to develop my generalizations and guiding questions for my unit. As I sat and analyzed my unit, I began to think that it was too broad and that the questions I was developing were following that same pattern. But isn't that the point? If I am to truly teach according to the "big picture" then I shouldn't ask my students specific questions because then they will never make deep connections within the content. Asking specific questions would almost be like limiting my students rather than letting endless growth transpire! All of this links perfectly with NCPTS Standard 3C, teachers recognize the interconnectedness of content and Standard 4E, teachers help students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills because we are encouraging them to make deep connections between all subjects rather than just scraping the surface of individual content areas.
This week during my outside research, I learned about in-flipped classrooms. We all know that flipped classrooms are when learning happens outside the classroom and applying that learning inside the classroom. Well for an in-flipped classroom you let both of those things happen inside the classroom. One set of students watches a pre-recorded video of the teacher's instruction and the other half of students gets to work one on one with the teacher. This would allow for the teacher to more easily differentiate learning for students and to provide personalized supports. This would be an interesting method to try in my own future classroom to see how students responded. Here is the link to the article if you're interested in learning more about in-flipped classrooms: https://www.edutopia.org/blog/flipping-the-non-flippable-classes-jon-bergmann
Colleen,
ReplyDeleteI have also had a bit of a hard time planning for this big unit. It seemed like an easy idea, at first, but now I realize just how hard it can be. Planning on such a large scale is something that I have never been asked to do, but I also realize that stretching myself is important to my learning. The flipped classroom idea is great, but I do not think it is realistic with younger grades. It would be very hard to police. In the younger grades, the parents would be more likely the ones having to deal with it. What do you think?
Colleen, I can completely relate to what you said about the big picture. I feel like we are so used to teaching about something specific, but now we have learned to teach about the "big picture" also known as concepts. I feel like it will make our unit plans more engaging and more life like because our students will be able to relate to concepts better than they could relate to topics. I like how you connected that to two different standards as well.
ReplyDeleteColleen,
ReplyDeleteI feel I was in the same boat as being too broad. The unit has taken much time and it will take time to develop. We will all get through it. Your flipped classroom research is great! It will help you to develop your flipped classroom and help everyone else also. The link you shared helped me out a bunch. Thanks. Great job.
Colleen,
ReplyDeleteI really like the way you framed the information about questioning. Questioning really is an art. Sometimes, the point is to ask broad questions and sometimes you should ask more specific questions. However, you are right about the big picture - teachers should always teach in a manner where students can connect the right here right now to a bigger picture. Keep on making those intentional connections.