Chapter 5

This is a year I'm doing pretty much everything completely differently than I've done it in the past.  The reason?  My school is adopting a model of teaching as an apprenticeship--which was mentioned in chapter 5!   I was very excited to see the idea that's working so well at my high school mentioned in our curriculum book.  : )  The idea is that the student is an apprentice and learns by doing.  I used to think this philosophy would be difficult to incorporate in English class, but I was thinking about it too literally.  Now, instead of "discussing" a text by doing most of the talking, students are discussing the texts with limited input from me.  

Another point I liked in this chapter was (of course) the incorporation of technology into the classroom.  If students could listen to podcasts at home (as we are doing for this class) then come into class and DO work instead of listen to a teacher's lecture, I think schools would be completely re-energized.  Let's face it: switching from class to class and being talked at is boring for anyone.  If we could make traditional "lectures" something done at home through podcasts--as a framework instead of a full lecture--then students would be able to DO more during the school day.  I think everyone should agree to put the days of daily note copying from powerpoints and the chalkboard behind us and get students actually working on things in the classroom. 

*Disclaimer: yes, I know sometimes students need to take notes and need to learn the art of note-taking.  I was referring to the current practice some teachers use of having note taking the only part of their classes, followed by quizzes and tests.

What is right in the classroom?

I would say that what is always the most "right" in schools are the students.  Whenever I'm asked what I like the most about teaching, I answer "teaching!"  A teacher's responsibilities tend to go way beyond teaching, but teaching itself is almost always a joy.  Even when the students are driving me crazy, I still know they're good kids and am thankful to be their teacher.

Another aspect of schools that works very well are colleagues in the profession.  I'm lucky to be in an amazing department, full of teachers who really care about the students.  Sometimes my colleagues and I don't agree on policies, assessments and pedagody, but I know we all have the interest of the students at heart. Colleagues like mine make schools a positive place to be.