Oh, the things we learn in methods

I always feel like I come away from methods class with a huge amount of valuable tools that make my teaching future seem brighter - today is no different.

We finished up a discussion on simulations with a second simulation. We were learning about "separate but equal" and how that isn't really the case. We all drew colored paper from a hat...and there were three possibilities...

Purple=Privileged
Salmon=Semi-Privileged
Yellow=Non-Privileged

Our professor emphasized using something for them to draw rather than using something of their own body like eye or hair color. She cited the third grade experiment that went terribly wrong. Anyhow, I (of course) drew the yellow sheet and thus became the model for the kids who do not have the things that they need. The final event was a quiz over several countries in Africa - something that the materials we had didn't enable us to be able to do well if at all. Although I knew what was coming, and what would happen, I couldn't contain my feelings of frustration, anger, sadness, and hopelessness. Amazing how well this simulation might work in a middle school classroom where students didn't exactly know what was coming.

That said, we went over the simulation after it was finished and talked about our feelings and what we went through, a shining example of what kids could get out of this emotionally. It is also important to make sure that they know that it is a SIMULATION. I like them : )


Today was also fun in that we did some different discussion models:
1. Talk show host
2. Concentric Circles
3. Inner circle/outer circle

Talk show host
In this model, the teacher is able to act as the host of some TV show, and presents different points of view on an issue and then asks for comments. There is a "microphone" involved to control student participation, as well as allow the teacher to control the way the discussion is moving. We also practiced using "Talk Moves" which help to push and lead the discussion

Concentric Circles
Two circles set up - one on the inside and one on the outside
Participants face someone from the opposite circle
Instructions are given for one of the members to talk, ask questions, listen etc.
Information can travel along with the circle that is moving
When one 'set' is done, the teacher can tell the inside circle to rotate 4 to the left etc.

Inner Circle/ Outer Circle
This is similar to the concentric circles, but different.
The inside group sits in the middle of the room and is smaller than the entire class
The inside group discusses a certain topic etc. among themselves
They are evenly balanced regarding the issue
IT IS NOT A DEBATE!!
The outside circle can have many jobs
*Coach one of the inner circle members
*Ask questions/give feedback when asked by the teacher
*Evaluate how prepared inner students are with their materials
etc.
***Students who are to be in the inner circle will have material prepared somehow...perhaps they know that they'll be in the inner circle, perhaps not - etc.



After a day of lots of learning I have two feelings:
1. I want to be in the classroom all the time NOW. I am tired of going to classes on how to teach and I want to get in there and do it!!
2. Gosh I have a lot to learn! I want to be the best I can be, and I don't feel like two more months is going to do it for me.

How is that for a study in contradictions?


On another note, we talked about some interesting things in class...
-Does competition have a place in the classroom?
-Should teachers share their political views in classrooms?

Interesting to think about ...