Tuesday, October 6, 2009

A Willingness to Change

Edgar Allan Poe introduced himself into my classroom Monday morning through an interactive activity with The Black Cat. Pre-assessment discussion informed me that only one of my students had ever read any of his work. Since this activity provided audio of the short story and response through click and drag of visual images, differentiation was in place. Poe took care of the rest with his horrid imagery which lends itself easily to reflection. Students worked in pairs discussing the story and reflecting on our class wiki. Not a single piece of paper exchanged hands. Students perched and lounged with their mini laptops wherever they chose, even the porch bench. Every student stayed on task. Not one student exclaimed “how boring”! Now, compare this to me reading aloud The Black Cat to the students, walking the room to keep them awake, and asking questions at the end to see if they were truly listening. How can any teacher not see the need for change?

1 comment:

  1. They see no need for change, for they have yet, for the most part, to witness the change in your classroom this year.

    Think about it...how many of your peers have visited your class to see the change? Very few have been in mine, and then for just a few minutes; never long enough to see the change in the type of instruction.

    Can we blame them for what they do not know? Can we blame for them not knowing what they are missing out on?

    How many of them have received even a percentage of the type of professional development that you received last summer? And if they have received it, how are they then held accountable for using that new knowledge? Unfortunately, most teachers are not like yourself...you who holds yourself accountable. Most need an outside person/force to whom to be accountable. Therefore, they go back to doing what they have always done, for that is just so very comfortable!

    THEN for those who have witnessed the change...they do not want to change, for all they see, for the most part, are some very stressed teachers who hardly have enough time to stay ahead of their students. How many teachers really want to work this hard after school?

    Fortunately, I am willing to work to midnight and give up a lot of my weekends...and you do, as well.

    Now, the question is how do we convince our peers to become us and enjoy the "new" energy we see within our classrooms on a daily basis? Maybe it happens with six teachers at a time...teachers who received the needed professional development and support.

    So this year six...plus, a few other self-motivated teachers, for we aren't the Lone Ranger(ettes), for there are others. Next year these 6-10 and another team of 6...yes, that is progress!

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