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Well On Their Way


Two subjects took precedence this week...Reading & Social Studies.  One theme wound through both of them.  This theme has been in the works for most of the year.  This theme is what I believe it means to "teach children".  This theme presents itself as a philosophy of teaching that I strive to fulfill each year.

"Be a self-directed learner".

By the time State Report time comes around the school year is almost at a close.  Routines and expectations have been clearly defined in terms of social and academic behaviors.  By this time the classroom ideally should "hum along" in harmony, thus opening the doors for learning to take place.  Learning can come in many forms, each form having its place within a school year, a school, a classroom, and each student.  There is rote memorization, modeling, guided practice, independent work, critical thinking, and abstract thought.  All of these are engaging to some degree, some more than others.  All of them have to be taught to a student in terms of how to best accomplish the learning task. 

Within the framework of these learning methods lies the mechanism by which a student engages themselves.  They are either prompted by the teacher, guided closely, and directed toward a final outcome OR they are given expectation for learning, provided with tools, and expected to rely on established classroom rules while they engage in the learning on their own...the discovery if you will.

This week was dedicated to building a review booklet for Reading Skills and Strategies that will be used in a game next week.  Also, many hours were devoted to research for State Reports.  In both of these subjects the students engaged themselves on a path of discovery, taking their learning into their own hands, becoming responsible for it and enriched by it.  They are well on their way to becoming "self directed learners".  A skill not easily acquired yet one that will last a lifetime.

True, they still need reminders to stay focused, they still need explanations for things they do not entirely understand.  They are, however, showing me, as their teacher, that they are committed to becoming the learners we all know they can be.  

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