In my fifteen years of teaching, I have had many great days of teaching. Most times in small moments or connections with kids, but every once in a while you do something that really sparks kids love of learning. One day that stands out is when I was teaching 7th grade social studies and I did a simulation of the crusades. Essentially students had to be touching randomly places pieces of paper worth varying amounts of points with one particular piece worth much more, symbolizing Jerusalem. Students were placed in 3 seperate groups representing the three religious groups all having historical religious significance in the Holy Land. What happened from there was less expected. Students simulated the lesson perfectly. They were diving across the room, stretching across the room like the were playing Twister in order to get the most point. Competition in the classroom always brings out engagement in kids. By the end of the lesson, students were locked in, smiling from ear to ear and in the end they could tell me all about the events leading up to the Crusades. What made that day even better was when multiple collegues talked to me throughout the day including administators saying how many kids were talking about the lesson throughout the day. I certainly don't teach for recognition but it certainly reinforces what we do when kids are energized and fellow staff members have noticibly seen their enthusiasm. Lessons like this are obviously hard to do on a regular basis, but when you do one that really sticks, that's what it is all about!
No comments:
Post a Comment