Tuesday, October 23, 2007

You Are In Control -- Does That Irritate You?

Wow. Kiddoes, today, did not want to write a precise, detailed, step-by-step direction on their sand comparison lesson. In fact, they were so hasty to complete that writing, that they became irritated when I read the directions and failed to understand what they wanted to do. Some got the idea that if you want to learn how to follow directions, you must learn how to give directions. For some kids, this worked. For others -- panic. Okay, I can relate. I took the opportunity, during lunch, to rewrite that part of the lesson and gave it out as an attachment. It gives more teacher input and requires less student decision-making -- it's safer to take orders than to take them. We've gotta work on this a bit more. Surprisingly, this group has used the FOSS modules at the baby school and seemed quite confused when given the middle school version of the inquiry-based lessons. I will roll with the punches and rewrite, rewrite and rewrite those pesky lessons and ease my students into higher order thinking, slowly.
Have great night.

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