Heather, it sounds like we watched the same video (at least 1 anyway), the second grade one where the teacher was demonstrating visualization prior to writing. This was my favorite clip out of the ones that I watched. I was really inspired/interested in how she was teaching this process to her class. I as well wish I had this kind of instruction in my own classroom as a child.
I agree that starting broad and teaching “big picture” elements is the most beneficial. I have never been a believer that things like spelling and punctuation are big factors in the early stages of learning to read or write. I believe those things can be refined as time goes on and the student progresses. Learning major rules and concepts seems far more important at a young age, to me. Once those have been mastered, a student can work on refining minor elements in the process.
I think one of the most important things I have learned in this course is to first focus on the big picture and then work on the small concepts. I also think that some of the videos we watched will certainly give us some important tools for our classrooms. Thanks.
Excellent point that the concepts need to be taught in a way that doesn't distract from comprehension. That's the creative and intellectual challenge of teaching! Plus, this take will to be able to stick with this approach in the current standardized assessment culture. I'm glad that the videos were helpful. I think that teachers really have to see good teaching take place if they are going to be able to implement good teaching themselves!
Heather,
ReplyDeleteit sounds like we watched the same video (at least 1 anyway), the second grade one where the teacher was demonstrating visualization prior to writing. This was my favorite clip out of the ones that I watched. I was really inspired/interested in how she was teaching this process to her class. I as well wish I had this kind of instruction in my own classroom as a child.
Heather,
ReplyDeleteI agree that starting broad and teaching “big picture” elements is the most beneficial. I have never been a believer that things like spelling and punctuation are big factors in the early stages of learning to read or write. I believe those things can be refined as time goes on and the student progresses. Learning major rules and concepts seems far more important at a young age, to me. Once those have been mastered, a student can work on refining minor elements in the process.
I think one of the most important things I have learned in this course is to first focus on the big picture and then work on the small concepts. I also think that some of the videos we watched will certainly give us some important tools for our classrooms. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteExcellent point that the concepts need to be taught in a way that doesn't distract from comprehension. That's the creative and intellectual challenge of teaching! Plus, this take will to be able to stick with this approach in the current standardized assessment culture.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that the videos were helpful. I think that teachers really have to see good teaching take place if they are going to be able to implement good teaching themselves!