2023 WATERFORD. Improving delivery of instructions was the key component I had identified as a challenge was facing. The primary reasoning behind this was due to the fact that I am in a new environment and also with respect to my linguistic capabilities. In reflection I believe that the process of being satisfied for my objective will take a lot more than just three weeks. However, the steps I have so far taken to improve include: 1.Writing down the instructions for classes, as part of my lesson planning process I plan my classes in a written notebook and I try to always have visual references or colour coded references. I divide the class in 3 and then I write down each of the actions that are needed in the class. But it is not always working, because when the class is happening It is not only a matter of language it is also about organising the information in a way that students will be able to understand the objectives and activities of the class. 2.Verification by receiving feedback from students It was pleasantly surprising to find out that students did not feel this is a weakness of mine. 3.Checking free online resources I have been searching for various options online, and will continue to do so. Some I have found include: Drama menu is always good when it comes to giving directions. www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4J487QtUIM A Guide to Giving Clear Instructions to Students (That They Will Actually Follow): https://www.wgu.edu/heyteach/article/guide-giving-clear-instructions-students-that-they-will-actually-follow2001.html From this reading are: Describe the specific and give always examples. Delivering Instruction in the Classroom: https://iopn.library.illinois.edu/pressbooks/instructioninlibraries/chapter/delivering-instruction-in-the-classroom/ one of the activities the suggest in this very useful webpage is Reflecting on Teaching Styles. I work on the activity 12.1 and it made me wonder about my own personal teaching style, which is as important as delivering instructions. I never thought about my personal teaching style so I did Activity 12.2: Discovering Your Teaching Styled after answering some questions and doing some research I came out with the idea that my personal teaching style is: Performing arts facilitator. When I labelled myself as a facilitator many ideas pop into my mind , but the most useful idea came to me by thinking how a facilitator will deliver instructions: clear and easy for students o follow. A facilitator develops learners’ independence and assist learners in their own personal quest. To help students in that quest instructions need to be focused on the students process and goals. 5. Dramdictionary Create a dictionary of theatrical terminology that would work for me. 6. Observing peer's classes. Anna's class: As part of my observation team I visited Anna's class. She pointed out she is working on students engagement and I observe the class taking that into consideration , but I also took some ideas for my own personal teaching: She wrote instructions and repeated them constantly. She asked students to say the instructions with their own words, and asked the rest of the students to add any information the student might be missing. Pippa's class: Miss Davis is such a good examples of a drama teacher, she really knows how to deliver not only instruction but all the task required in the class. She inspired me when a went as an observer to one of her form class. She repeats as many time as possible and give students a couple of minutes to digest the information and then make questions about any given instructions. Bonzile's class: Black note is very clear when it comes to explaining what students need to do in class and the purpose of the class. At the beginning of the lesson she makes sure students know exactly what they have to work on and how they are working, by using very clear tone and proper commands. 8. Receiving feedback from my HOD and AD where some ideas came up: Writing the instructions will make things easier for students and for me. After talking to Lisa about my performance She mention a very important activity to do which is writing down the instructions for classes, as part of my lesson planning process I have been doing this and it has helped me with my self-confidence. I will be able to be more consistent once there would be a permanent installation of the requested media in 2024: projector and connectors. My initial reluctance for writing steps in the form of a presentation was because of time management and organising the equipment each time my lessons are placed in the CCLD. However, as mentioned, I have been doing this very often and it has helped 9. Don't over think Training that could support me for the following year Since the feedback from students was not related to this point of evaluation, I feel that investing both time and money into training in this domain would not be necessary. Moving forward, I believe I will continue to reflect on areas of improvement so I can keep developing as an educator…. |
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Discipline is not about getting kids to do what you want them to do. That's what dictators do, and you're not a dictator—you're an educator. Discipline is providing an environment in which positive teaching and positive learning can occur simultaneously. Discipline is not control from the outside; it's order from within.
COMING SOON IDEAS!!!
THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
I had this design idea that was suppose to show the mood of people during a year. I sold them out, in festivals, on stores and between people that I know. But know I think it will be an excellent idea to implement it in the class. The idea is to record all the behaviour in a template equals to an electrocardiogram, I will divided by grades and at the end of the class we will decide what will be their position on the cardiogram scale. After 2 or 3 weeks we will see which grade reported better and will get a benefit or a price or a recognition.
THE STARTERS!!!
After thinking a lot a realise that a good starter is the way to go. So I found some good drama exercises. They have been very useful and students concentrate better when I get their attention.
I have been exploring different games. Specially the ones related to physical effort, memory and concentration. The only problem is that it is taking more time than what I expected. So I will have to improve that.
THIS PAGE IS ALSO VERY GOOD FOR STARTERS: WWW.KAHOOT.IT
All the starters are working pretty well. I GIVE IT A 3.
DRAMA DISCIPLINE MEMES.
I create this activity, after vacations because I decided that it was they perfect time to start all over again. So the activity was basically that students will create discipline memes for the drama class. In which by humor they will be reflecting on their behaviour. It work, it actually work. I am printing them out and pasting them around the classroom as a reminder.
I will give them a 3 for now.
SOME HELPFUL LINKS:
http://busyteacher.org/8995-top-10-tips-deal-with-indiscipline-in-classroom.html
https://www.teachervision.com/classroom-discipline/new-teacher/48457.html
Vacation`s reflection
Leo´s conversation
I have this student from 7th grade: Mateo who is really difficult to handle , specially because he is a leader so what ever he thinks and feels the rest will follow him. There was this class where he came to me and we were talking when he told me that there were only one teacher that he actually respect and that is Leonardo the global humanities teacher, so I looked for Leo and told him the situation he was surprised actually he was shocked he never expects to hear this. Then after he celebrated his wonderful success we started talking about it and he told me that he is always very strong with all the students and specially with him, he treats Mateo as he wants to be treated ( as a grown up).
The use of the traffic light:
It has been very difficult for me to use this system. I have to confess that before the last meetings I never used it, because to be honest, I believe that performing arts classes should be more free than the "normal" class. In drama class, children should be able to express and to explore and sometimes while getting into creative stages; students act or react differently than in other classes.
After a couple of months I decided to use it because actually I felt that I felt as a teacher. I gave to much trust to the students and that´s #1 mistake. Know I feel is to late to make a change, but I decided to use the traffic light and specially with 5th and 6th graders works perfectly. I actually made a little change on it: because is a drama class: When yellow: they have to do a reflection but they have to do on the stage and in front of peers, it really has to come from their heart, where the have to convince themselves why and how they can make things better. when red: students will do the reflection but I will record it and I´ll send it to the parents. On the other hand the person who I decide that will write names on the board feels always motivated and that is another strategy to use.
I give this a 2 because I think it only works with 5th , 6 and 7th graders.
Miss Diana`s benefits
She talks about it, students talk about it, even Maria Mercedes talks about it. And what is it? Apparently this disciplinary didactic is working. When students behave in class they are able to spin the wheel of benefits, this benefits are prizes that students can use in their next classes. The room is divided by groups, tables are organize in an specific way so when the group wins the whole table wins, and they are able to spin the wheel and use their benefit. This motivates students and is a good way to keep them under control. How can I apply it into my class?
SHE GIVES THE BENEFITS 3. THEY WORK VERY WELL.
NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK
It is the first, actually the second entrance, and what can I say...: nothing seems to work. Oh God!! Kids are great, but out of control. I know it is me. I am making so many mistakes, maybe being so nice, making not giving clear instructions, maybe the fact that it has been very difficult to prepare my classes because I don´t even know what to follow. Maybe is the classroom ( it is in deed very small). But it is clear that I have to move on, keep moving, finding out what can actually work. But what can I do? lets think:
IT ALL STARTED
We had a late Wednesday meeting, and Mr Ben suggested to star this journal. To be honest at first I thought: more work. But then I thought it is a great idea. I can know myself better by actually reading my own thoughts. Maybe with this I can learn from my own experience, and hopefully at the end I will laugh reading this first words. Lets take a big picture of my journey in this school so far: I am new, I started 3 months ago, kids are very nice, but sometime they drive me crazy: they do whatever they want. I don´t have the methods to make them really work. Specially with 8th and 9th graders: they don´t like anything and it is very difficult to get their attention. They don´t want to do anything t, sometimes they don´t really care. I already talked to their head of year and to my head of department; they both came to my class and talk to them, but still is not working. I really want to change their lives by showing them something different, I have always believe in art but sometime I don´t believe in my self, it is becoming a huge challenge, and I really need some help.
COMING SOON IDEAS!!!
THE ELECTROCARDIOGRAM
I had this design idea that was suppose to show the mood of people during a year. I sold them out, in festivals, on stores and between people that I know. But know I think it will be an excellent idea to implement it in the class. The idea is to record all the behaviour in a template equals to an electrocardiogram, I will divided by grades and at the end of the class we will decide what will be their position on the cardiogram scale. After 2 or 3 weeks we will see which grade reported better and will get a benefit or a price or a recognition.
THE STARTERS!!!
After thinking a lot a realise that a good starter is the way to go. So I found some good drama exercises. They have been very useful and students concentrate better when I get their attention.
I have been exploring different games. Specially the ones related to physical effort, memory and concentration. The only problem is that it is taking more time than what I expected. So I will have to improve that.
THIS PAGE IS ALSO VERY GOOD FOR STARTERS: WWW.KAHOOT.IT
All the starters are working pretty well. I GIVE IT A 3.
DRAMA DISCIPLINE MEMES.
I create this activity, after vacations because I decided that it was they perfect time to start all over again. So the activity was basically that students will create discipline memes for the drama class. In which by humor they will be reflecting on their behaviour. It work, it actually work. I am printing them out and pasting them around the classroom as a reminder.
I will give them a 3 for now.
SOME HELPFUL LINKS:
http://busyteacher.org/8995-top-10-tips-deal-with-indiscipline-in-classroom.html
https://www.teachervision.com/classroom-discipline/new-teacher/48457.html
Vacation`s reflection
- having plan b. c ,d, e,f,g. seems to be the solution to all.
- DONT ACT like them
- Being a little ... is better than trying to be the nicest.
- Going to rules one more time
- being specific of what a good student is.
- creating our own rules
- when working in groups, always be aware of how the groups are made.
- take a deep breath and carry on
- positive energy changes the dynamics
- asking others is not a mistake.
- Don´t prejudice
- BE CLEAR
- motivation is the key to success
- Interesting topics welcome students to a whole new world
- use the traffic light with all, everyday, every class. Never forget.
- Always be the grown up
- my responsibility is to teach not to make them have a good time.
- focus and concentration
- There is a difference between being nice and being "alcagüeta"
Leo´s conversation
I have this student from 7th grade: Mateo who is really difficult to handle , specially because he is a leader so what ever he thinks and feels the rest will follow him. There was this class where he came to me and we were talking when he told me that there were only one teacher that he actually respect and that is Leonardo the global humanities teacher, so I looked for Leo and told him the situation he was surprised actually he was shocked he never expects to hear this. Then after he celebrated his wonderful success we started talking about it and he told me that he is always very strong with all the students and specially with him, he treats Mateo as he wants to be treated ( as a grown up).
The use of the traffic light:
It has been very difficult for me to use this system. I have to confess that before the last meetings I never used it, because to be honest, I believe that performing arts classes should be more free than the "normal" class. In drama class, children should be able to express and to explore and sometimes while getting into creative stages; students act or react differently than in other classes.
After a couple of months I decided to use it because actually I felt that I felt as a teacher. I gave to much trust to the students and that´s #1 mistake. Know I feel is to late to make a change, but I decided to use the traffic light and specially with 5th and 6th graders works perfectly. I actually made a little change on it: because is a drama class: When yellow: they have to do a reflection but they have to do on the stage and in front of peers, it really has to come from their heart, where the have to convince themselves why and how they can make things better. when red: students will do the reflection but I will record it and I´ll send it to the parents. On the other hand the person who I decide that will write names on the board feels always motivated and that is another strategy to use.
I give this a 2 because I think it only works with 5th , 6 and 7th graders.
Miss Diana`s benefits
She talks about it, students talk about it, even Maria Mercedes talks about it. And what is it? Apparently this disciplinary didactic is working. When students behave in class they are able to spin the wheel of benefits, this benefits are prizes that students can use in their next classes. The room is divided by groups, tables are organize in an specific way so when the group wins the whole table wins, and they are able to spin the wheel and use their benefit. This motivates students and is a good way to keep them under control. How can I apply it into my class?
SHE GIVES THE BENEFITS 3. THEY WORK VERY WELL.
NOTHING SEEMS TO WORK
It is the first, actually the second entrance, and what can I say...: nothing seems to work. Oh God!! Kids are great, but out of control. I know it is me. I am making so many mistakes, maybe being so nice, making not giving clear instructions, maybe the fact that it has been very difficult to prepare my classes because I don´t even know what to follow. Maybe is the classroom ( it is in deed very small). But it is clear that I have to move on, keep moving, finding out what can actually work. But what can I do? lets think:
- talk to other teachers to see how they handle groups.
- Visit some classes.
- create fun classes
IT ALL STARTED
We had a late Wednesday meeting, and Mr Ben suggested to star this journal. To be honest at first I thought: more work. But then I thought it is a great idea. I can know myself better by actually reading my own thoughts. Maybe with this I can learn from my own experience, and hopefully at the end I will laugh reading this first words. Lets take a big picture of my journey in this school so far: I am new, I started 3 months ago, kids are very nice, but sometime they drive me crazy: they do whatever they want. I don´t have the methods to make them really work. Specially with 8th and 9th graders: they don´t like anything and it is very difficult to get their attention. They don´t want to do anything t, sometimes they don´t really care. I already talked to their head of year and to my head of department; they both came to my class and talk to them, but still is not working. I really want to change their lives by showing them something different, I have always believe in art but sometime I don´t believe in my self, it is becoming a huge challenge, and I really need some help.