While trying to plan for the first lesson, I felt I struggled a bit with the format. I thought it was helpful to have the standards but I had trouble relating the work to the historical perspectives. I felt that they were very broad and did not give much help that could be used for elementary purposes. Many of the historical perspectives shared what middle school and high school needed which made it difficult for me to relate material that would meet those standards.
I thought the 5 e's were helpful although there was some overlap with the learning activities section. I felt that the 5 e's should be used to help guide the thinking process but not a part of the lesson planning itself. Perhaps I was confused on what specifically needed to go in those sections.
Typically I do not write out a developed lesson plan like the one for this assignment. My school has lessons that they want us to teach in specific ways so often I find myself just following what other teachers in my grade do. I would like the chance to develop more lessons so I can see the whole picture of what my classroom will look like from every angle. Although it requires a lot of time which is always an issue in education.
I think implementing this lesson would be difficult because I incorporated a field trip into the lesson. I could not put this lesson into action because my school has set field trips and I cannot plan trips on my own. There is freedom in a college course to develop lessons and resources but when it comes down to doing the lesson, certain logistical things have to be changed.
Hi Ashley,
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit like you when it comes to lesson plans- in our district they want all teachers to teach the same lesson plan in each classroom on the same day. They expect to walk from one room to another and see a continuation of that lesson in perfect synchronization with all other the other classes in our grade level. There's nothing I can do to change it- I highly doubt that our school will improve state tests in Science this year due to this management problem.
I wish...they would just let us teach in the way we see fit. Teachers are a creative, passionate and fun lot if left to our own devices- and we'd get amazing results too if they let us!
Chin up,
Kathie B
Ashley and Kathie,
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fun to be told what to do? I didn't like it as a kid and I definitely don't like it now :)
Our district provides those similar pressures to accomplish a task in the same exact way in Language Arts and Math. Thankfully, it hasn't hit Science yet. Apart from our Curriculum Maps which tell us in what order to teach our standards, they provide the freedom to teach how we want to teach. That is partially why we all love Science so much right now.
I agree with you about the template. It was very gruelling. I see some merit in completing it but find if very unrealistic on a daily basis.
Ashley ~ I too struggled with the lesson plans and the standards to relate to historical lessons. I agree with Kathie that as teachers we are all creative, passionate, and fun and having someone stand over you and TELL you what and how to teach is rather upsetting.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the support! It is very frustrating not being able to be creative and teach in the way we want. However, its comforting to know that you are not alone!
ReplyDeleteIn my school we are supposed to be working on common assessments within grade level departments (that is 2 teachers in my subject). But the only common assessments we are required to have are a mid-term and a final exam. We are not required to teach the same way so we find it hard to assess the same way. I agree with you all. Being that standardized does take the passion out of it.
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