What's UP for '06-07 school year!
Where we're heading...We're turning on the light bulbs!
Encouraging curiosity has always been my goal. By learning to ask questions, my students can learn whatever they desire. Einstein said, "To raise new questions, new possiblities, to regard old problems from a new angle, requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science." So my focus for my students is to dive into concepts, learn philosophies, gain insight into their own character/gifts/drives, practice problem solving, and to have fun, too. What good is anything that you do not enjoy?
Our units, or topics, are all integrated and cover the spectrum of learning areas, styles, and subjects. If math is involved, we do math. If research is called for, we practice several methods to get in deep. If one of the students learns about one aspect of a topic, they are invited to share their expertise with the rest of the group. It strikes me that this is a lot like life - when you need to know something, you learn it, you learn what and when it makes the most sense. Not because it's 9:45 in the morning. Don't get me wrong, with a classroom full of students and a curriculum to cover, I can understand how most teachers feel that they HAVE to teach by a schedule. I have the WONDERFUL advantage to be able to pounce on the teachable moment and key in to student interests.
Ideas I have (from student surveys taken at the end of the '05/06 school year) for this year include debating the concept of conflict, the philosophy and character traits of heros, developing and testing home-made, egg carrying race cars and going up, up, and away with flight. The students spoke and I love it! I can't stay away from SCIENCE! There were also votes for fashion design, magic, animals, games, and origami.
Every week my students are given a sheet of puzzles to strengthen their problem solving and lateral thinking skills, with a little math, some vocabulary, and thinking thrown in for good measure. I believe that, once parents get to see it, they will insist that it come home so they can "exercise", too! In another blog, I'll try to include a copy. There are also all sorts of ideas for mental exercise to be found on the AROUND RIVERCHASE section of the Riverchase Web page, updated weekly.
Enough for now! XXOO!! Mrs. Mac
I
posted by MacRichment @ 9:12 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home