Paul Boslego
Hr:None
Well, its happening. Tomorrow, I am going back to middle school. This time just as an observer and not as a student. I know from correspondence with the teacher that I may be be fielding questions and giving an introduction. That does not make me nervous. I have given plenty of them over the years. What does make me nervous is the fact that I will be working with middle school students. The last time I worked with middle school students, was when they were my peers. I am excited because this is something not a lot of people get to do. I have done as much preparation as I can for this: I have corresponded with the teacher and my partner.
I think the biggest thing for me is just to let things happen as they happen. I should not keep any firm expectations other than what I have described above. I know from experience that lessons often change directions and that students may lose focus. This all ends up with the teacher and what they see the direction of the classroom headed.
Looking forward, I expect I will have a fair amount of takeaways from tomorrow. Not just on the learning environment and teacher, but the students themselves. Specifically, I want to learn more about curricular values/content. I want to see the different strategies the teacher uses to engage the student to accomplish these objectives. I also want observe the language and group routines because that is something that is easier to see as an observer than a participant.
Paul,
It sounds like your attitude of letting things happen, like answering many questions for many minutes, paid off!
I look forward to hearing more details about their questions and how your responses helped you observe norms and expectations in this classroom, as well as what you might draw from the readings about building classroom cultures in which kids are encouraged to be curious? Were there any particular moments in the expert visits or the reading stop could integrate in this discussion to support your thinking, or any reflections from Day 1? If so, bring those to class tomorrow.
MAJ Hodde
I really enjoyed this post. I do believe you should include more from the reading. Other than that thid was a good post, good job!
These expectations are good and logical. It is good that you prepared for your visit and that you had a goal to understand better the content that they are talking. Though, I would suggest making a couple more specific expectations that reference the book and readings we have interacted with.