I think the key to letting go is your definition. Some people have the misconception that 'letting go' is synonymous with sitting back and doing nothing. My definition I believe is closer to our goals. Kids will not do all the work for you. But you have to let them make mistakes and really get their hands on the problem: cognitive struggle, right? Asking questions is the biggest part of the letting go that does not involve sitting and your desk and checking email while they work. Why did you do that? How do you know that? What do you think? I don't think this will be a problem for me, conceptually for sure. In the time that I have been tutoring I already ask my students some of these questions and I want them to think about their answers instead of just giving them. I know being in a class with 30 kids is much different than sitting at a kid's dining room table with their mom in the next room but at least I have a start. On the other hand I think there will be times when you have to put the train back on track. You may have to stop them for a second if they have gone awry and nudge them in the direction of the point. This may not be totally in line with constructivism but they don't know everything, that is why they are there, right?
During the fraction teaching excercise I received the great compliment that I asked good questions. It was a great boost and let me know that at the very least this doesn't just sound good in my head. :-)
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3 comments:
Well said. I to share your understanding. I do think the key to this is going to be in how we engineer our lesson plans. Just think, if we engineer our plans so the students are engaged the letting go part will be the plan and the students will gain the understanding needed to grow. I am excited about what we are learning and I am looking forward to the challenge.
You are right on, letting go is not sitting at the teacher's desk while the students are struggling. But it's not handing it to them on a silver platter as well. I think you are further on your way to being a constructivist teacher than you think.
I think you are absolutely correct. The letting go aspect of the lesson is a challenge but has to be placed in the correct context. I think you show a solid understanding of this concept. I also believe you understand how the teaching and learning should take place in the classroom.
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