Comments about the November 9 meeting

1. The information presented in the session made good sense. I loved discussing the philosophy of constructivist teaching with my small group. We were task-oriented (thanks largely to Greg Trotter) and spirited in our comments. We hashed out the problems we see with implementing some of the ideas about constructivist teaching--but we all agreed that this form of teaching fits the philosphy of variable scheduling and is a good ideal to strive for. I loved the intelligence and diversity of the group that I was a part of.

I was also excited by Lary Kleeman's idea about teaching lessons in front of each other. When I was young and inexperienced, I used to sit in on classes taught by people I admired, and from them I learned valuable information about class management, organization, and curriculum. I haven't done this for years, though. Whenever I attend conferences, what I value most is sample lessons and handouts that come from successful teachers. I hope we implement Lary's idea as soon as possible. I'm not a great technology person, but I have constructivist lessons that I would be willing to share (at least I think they are "constructivist.") I would value feedback.

I do worry a bit, however. Why would a science, p.e., or math teacher want to see how I teach a James Wright poem????

2. The class was well-planned and meaningful. I liked the flexibility you showed. We departed from the agenda, but that was because the group wanted to spend more time sharing ideas in group discussion. Our group was relaxed, engaged, and interested, from what I could tell....

3. I got some good information that I will be able to use in the classroom. Greg Trotter had an interesting idea about setting up two rows of desks facing each other and using that class configuration to have kids write ideas back and forth to each other or discuss various topics with each other.

4. I haven't been a great blogger lately, but I'd like the planning team to know that I've started Socratic Seminars with my English 10 classes for the first time. We are reading Tortilla Curtain, and I'm experimenting with the seminar style that Lary, Terry, and I use so successfully with our A.P. English classes. I'm thrilled with the results of the seminars (we've had 2 of them so far). This constructivist approach is working beautifully--and I'm in awe that the kids are discussing such profound, provocative ideas. They are enthusiastic about the seminars and have brought in ideas to class that I would never have anticipated. It's really fun watching them figure out the meaning of the book. I join their seminar--but I don't dominate it. I ask a few questions and am also seeking answers. We are discovering so much about this book. If anyone wants a sample "socratic seminar," I would be happy to demonstrate it.