I think this was a great class. We had a small group but a good mix of different opinions on the topics we discussed.
Wikispaces - I wish we could have done more with the wikispaces. I feel that it was the focus of our class the beginning of the semester and then we just kind of forgot about it. Next time I would recommend posting something on it every couple of weeks instead of 3-4 weeks continuously and then not again.
Blogs - although I had a hard time keeping up with the blogs they were a great way to reflect on the readings, class, and discussions. I'll be able to use them in the future for a summary of ideas I want to teach - I'll be able to easily find the information I need.
Group Leader - I honestly felt the group leader discussions got to be redundant and boring. I felt it was the same thing week after week, and I found myself zoning out during them. I think there should be some sort of activity requirement or something to get people up and moving during them.
Group Teach - I loved the group teach projects. There wasa selection of three very different books, and all three groups did a great job of presenting their material in a way that can be adapted within the classroom. They brought up some good discussion, and new ideas. It was a refreshing way to end the semester.
Final Project - I love my final project piece. It allowed to to take one of my interests actually become hands on involved with it and create a final product that others can use as an example. I hope people can use it within their classrooms!
Overall I got a lot from this class. The only suggestion I would make is to email assignments on Monday night after class. I forget to check web ct, so I was late or missing a few of them. Otherwise good setup and execution of a class. I learned a lot, and will be taking away some great ideas for my classroom.
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Group Teach - The Giver
First let me say I'm really glad they changed their novel. I don't think I would have had time to read Catch-22, and since I'd already read The Giver I just had to refresh my memory on it.
I thought the group did a good job with all the activities and leading discussion. I honestly got more out of the book this time just skimming through than I did when I read it in middle school. It's something to take note of - you don't want to teach this novel if the students aren't going to understand the central themes, you don't want it to be above them.
I really liked their activities . The step up activity is a great way to get to know thing about people that you normally wouldn't ask, and to find out you have something in common that you would have never thought about. I also like the create your own ending. I like activities like this because it allows you to end the story how you want. The characters and their story become yours and you decide their fate. I also liked the choose an important scene and act it out - I think this could be done in a much more extended version where the students dress up, use a script and act out a detailed scene.
I think the did a great job wrapping up the group teaches.
I thought the group did a good job with all the activities and leading discussion. I honestly got more out of the book this time just skimming through than I did when I read it in middle school. It's something to take note of - you don't want to teach this novel if the students aren't going to understand the central themes, you don't want it to be above them.
I really liked their activities . The step up activity is a great way to get to know thing about people that you normally wouldn't ask, and to find out you have something in common that you would have never thought about. I also like the create your own ending. I like activities like this because it allows you to end the story how you want. The characters and their story become yours and you decide their fate. I also liked the choose an important scene and act it out - I think this could be done in a much more extended version where the students dress up, use a script and act out a detailed scene.
I think the did a great job wrapping up the group teaches.
Group Teach - Violent Cases
I thought the group that covered Graphic Novels and Violent Cases did a great job. I hadn't really ever considered teaching a graphic novel until now. I think I might put some more thought into the content of the graphic novel and age appropriateness, but for our level Violent Cases worked well. I like that it sparked some interesting discussion and different interpretation of the events within it.
I thought that the activity with Marxism worked well especially when applied to Violent Cases. My favorite activity would have to be the one where we created the comic strip one panel at a time without talking to each other. I thought it was a fun activity that allowed us to be creative and try to formulate a story out of what little material we had to work with.
I thought the group did a great job. They knew their material, and knew how to get important points across. Like I said, I may even consider bringing them into my own classroom.
I thought that the activity with Marxism worked well especially when applied to Violent Cases. My favorite activity would have to be the one where we created the comic strip one panel at a time without talking to each other. I thought it was a fun activity that allowed us to be creative and try to formulate a story out of what little material we had to work with.
I thought the group did a great job. They knew their material, and knew how to get important points across. Like I said, I may even consider bringing them into my own classroom.
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