I'm linking up with Fabulous in First for Strategy 5 of the Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites book study! Before I dive into chapter 5, I want to share with you all some of the progress that this book study is bringing to my teaching. I have mentioned in each of previous posts some ways I can improve with each strategy. I've also been keeping my own pen and paper list of personal "growth goals" that I keep with myself during lesson planning and I would encourage you to do the same. It has been so helpful and I am actually making needed changes in my classroom. The very first strategy discuss in this book was student brainstorming and discussion. I said I could improve by creating more group pairings and using pair shares in other subjects. Here is a look at some of the changes I've made....
I already had peanut butter & jelly partner grouping posted in the class. After reading chapter 1, I added these ketchup & mustard partner groupings to the wall....
You can't hear my students in the picture below, but this is a pair share during Bible class... something I have been doing and LOVING a few times a week now! I believe it has been hugely beneficial for my students' learning during this time.
Here are my thoughts on strategy 5...
I enjoyed reading your post! I personally need to work better on incorporating more pair share. How do you do yours during your bible time? Do you share a story and then have them share their thoughts? How do you guide that. I would love to get my bible lessons better and more cooperative! Thanks for linking up!
ReplyDeleteThe main thing I am trying to do during Bible is make sure we are focusing on the hero of the Bible, recognizing that the whole Bible is just one story, and learning who God is. I frequently have students pair share about what our lesson is teaching us about God's character or how it connects to the Gospel. I monitor student talk, and have one or two students share with the whole class after their discussion. Obviously, this is something we worked up to since day 1. We are using ACSI curriculum in our classrooms. They have some discussion questions in addition to the comprehension check after the "Bible truth." Sometimes I use these questions to guide the student share time as well. Hope this helps!
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