While using the units of study, I feel like I have grown as a teacher. Before using the units I felt like I didn't really have an exact structure to follow. I have learned how to introduce a mini lesson using the connection, teaching point, active engagement and the link. I believe having this structure gave me an "ah-ha" moment because I have been able to use this structure within other areas of content as well. I feel like I have learned a lot through different lessons as well. I have learned what sessions may not be as important as others, and what sessions students really enjoy. While teaching the units I have had the opportunity to expand my creativity and make the lessons exciting and my own.
My oh no's are that I wish that there was a specific recommended amount of time to spend on each session. I know every class has different needs, but as a new teacher I would have liked to have a general time frame. One thing I find myself doing a lot is spending too much time on the mini lessons, so I need to work on cutting down the amount of time I spend on connection and teaching and spend more time allowing students to share their work and get into the material.
I find the time thing to be really tricky, also. I found it helpful to hear that mini-lessons are only supposed to be 10 minutes (as challenging as that is), and then I can try to shape the rest from there. I agree that it would be helpful to have an estimated timeframe for each part of the lesson, especially because sometimes each part takes longer than they do in other lessons.
ReplyDeleteI too like the structure that the Units provide. In our school there is not a whole lot of structure to begin with curriculum wise, and as I am still a new teacher, I really like having that structure and support there. Yet I can still adjust, or even add to, certain lessons or units in order to meet the individual needs of my students.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree the structure the lessons provide is very valuable. I also like that the units provide an excellent scope and sequence to the school year. Now that I have used the units for a few years I am able to add more lessons to cover some learning targets that aren't always addressed or need to be addressed more.
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