Comments and Observations collected over the week

Although a week has passed since my last summary of reflections; a collection of thoughts, observations and opinions  can be synthesized into one entry.  My efforts will be made to impart not fleeting thoughts but a more summative approach to my ruminations.

The presentation of procedures by Leah and Katie are a refreshing approach to demontrate a procedure.  I am uncertain about the differences between a demonstration or experience to reflect a procedure. Nonetheless, if the goal is to share a procedure and illustrate the procedure with an activity, I think it was successful.  If the goal is for our class to experience a procedure, that too was successful-hmm. Perhaps there is no difference between an experience of a procedure or demonstration of a procedure. I leave that to you, should I need further clarification. On a more practical level, I think the weekly procedures are a helpful tool that I will be using in my class.

I want to thank you for providing me with a ticket to see and experience Barbara Colorusso.  I currently teach adults, particularly newcomers to Kingston who are enrolled in the LINC program-a federally funded program for newcomers to acquire the language skills and to facilitate their integration to Canada.   My attention throughout this poignant talk by Ms. Coloroso was not so much on the pedagogical issues related to her discussion, but more self-seeking in hopes of gathering some insight I could apply to my two children and their issues in school.
I left Coloroso's lecture moved by her abilities to speak publicly-as she so fluently moved from one message to another: to raise the fourth character to resist and address the bully and the notion of our society obsessed with the 'what's in it for me' attitude.  Encouraging these philosophical queries further thought seemed much more compelling than a list of do's and don'ts regarding bullying. Throughout the week I have been obsessed with drawing a balance between encouraging positive behaviour with rewards versus fostering good behaviour for the simple sake of being good.  This has been a personal challenge to practice at home with the children and at work in a classroom setting. 
With these brief thoughts, I am left with further rumination and will continue to become more aware of the many strategies we use to cultivate compassion, support and creativity in our classrooms, at home and at work. Perhaps one component of the art of teaching relates to such cultivation.


 

Reflections

After much trepidation with any form of media literacy, I can say that creating this blog was painless.  It was inevitable in pursuing a career in teaching, I would need to embrace the tools created to enhance our teaching. Although I have been somewhat successful in avoiding the neverending new forms of gadgets that await us, I have come to the realization that these tools put before us MAY possibly help us become better teachers. 
I make every attempt to use the smartboard in my lessons with adults in a LINC class; however, the actvities or tasks may very well be accomplished as succesfully without the smartboard but definately more environmental than paper or overhead transparencies. This is a an area in my teaching that I hope to further explore...
As well, the notion of procedures or formerly referred to as teaching strategies is an endeavour I look forward to develop.  However, after many searches from the PEEL database I am having difficulty with finding a specific procedure article related to adult ESL. This may be due to the fact that many of these procedures are heavily based from and for primary and secondary teachers. Some further direction on the tertiary 'issues' would be very useful.
Finally, some thoughts on teachers as students.  Returning to school after a hiatus to raise my family has been one of the most tangible influences on my teaching.  This past year has required me to continually engage in discussions, reflect on my learning and teaching. It is inter-relationship of teaching and learning that resonates one of Brookfield's mantras of skillful teaching-to engage in the learning process we wish our students to seek.