Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Learning Moments: A #peel21st Blog Hop

The prompt: What has been your most memorable learning moment this fall?

The answer:I don't know if I can pick a single learning moment. I have seen students enjoy an inquiry/research/project based biology strand in many different ways (allowing us to focus on the overarching learning goals of the course). I have seen students completely new to a topic struggle and work until they reached an ah-ha moment; or at least declared they would keep at it until they figured it out. Maybe the only answer I can actually use is my own learning moment - although there have been many.

The more I think about it, the more I realize that the mutual lessons between myself and my students are the most valuable. The one that comes to mind as I write is a lesson of mutual communication. It often takes some moments of frustration to get my class to really tell me what they need so that I can make changes or adjust a lesson, or add something to a class. When these doors are opened to communicate, a lot of things become possible.

Now they are more willing to speak up and ask for things instead of assuming I will say no. And I hope that they will also be able to listen to my suggestions more willingly.

This is a battle I fight for every semester in my senior flipped classrooms. I am trying to find a way to help it along sooner. Sometimes I wish I could be a fly on the wall in my own room to try to spot those moments that hinder what I am seeking. I am trying to work on myself first.

Here are the participant in tonight's blog hop. Hop around and join in the fun!

Jason Richeahttp://beyondangrybirds.blogspot.ca/2015/11/best-moment.html
Jonathan Sohttp://mrsoclassroom.blogspot.ca/2015/11/the-best-learning-moment-this-fall.html
Amit Mehrotrahttp://mramitmehrotra.blogspot.ca/2015/11/peel21st-november-blog-hop-my-best.html
Tina Zitahttps://misszita.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/peel21st-blog-hop-my-one-best-thing/
Jim Cashhttp://makelearn.org/2015/11/15/memorable-learning-moment/
Melanie Mulcasterhttp://valleyslearningcommons.blogspot.ca/2015/11/my-best-moments-so-far-in-2015-happen.html
Heather Lyehttp://teachinginspirations.blogspot.com/2015/11/learning-moments-peel21st-blog-hop.html
Erica Armstronghttp://msarmstrong.ca/2015/11/17/my-most-memorable-learning-moment-of-this-fall/
Matt Fletcherhttps://heymrfletcher.wordpress.com/2015/11/17/peel21st-november-blog-hop-my-best-moment/
Jason Wigmorehttps://jwigmore.wordpress.com/2015/11/16/peel21st-blog-hop-my-most-memorable-moment
Shivonne Lewis-Younghttps://slewisyoung.wordpress.com/
Matthew Forestierihttp://www.matthewforestieri.com/2015/11/18/peel21st-

8 comments:

  1. Student voice is so important. It's amazing what we find out when we actually take the time to listen and not just talk.

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    1. That seems to be one of the threads today Amit. Student voice & learning.

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  2. Yes, the curriculum is the easy part isn't it? Making those personal connections so that we can maximize students learning potential is what really matters.

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  3. Yes, the curriculum is the easy part isn't it? Making those personal connections so that we can maximize students learning potential is what really matters.

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  4. Yes, some of my most successful moments have come from having those connections and knowing exactly how to ignite a spark in a student. It's something I struggle with daily in a planning time role - how to successfully build those deep connections with only 40 minutes a week.

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  5. I love your post and the description of how interconnected you and your students are. I think it is one of the most fun and rewarding aspects of teaching, that is, the give and take between teacher and students. But, it is also challenging because that feedback comes simultaneously from so many and minute by minute. What a great reminder of how sensitive and how flexible educators need to be in order to work effectively with students.

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  6. Heather, I would love to be in your classroom. I have been debating lately with many High school teachers about changing best practises and I seem to hit this wall that what I do is because I am in elementary and it won't work in High school. But then I look at your stuff and just am truly blown away.

    Like you I had a hard time choosing because with inquiry it really has been a magical journey. Thanks for being an amazing inspiration.

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  7. "Now they are more willing to speak up and ask for things instead of assuming I will say no."
    I wonder if you (and all secondary teachers) will notice a change in your students as you begin to get more students in high school who have had the opportunity to experience inquiry in their elementary classrooms. Hopefully, you're able to find that more and more students are arriving ready to have those conversations with a teacher.

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