The Slice of Life Challenge is hosted by the inspirational writers of Two Writing Teachers. Each March, they invite people to join them in a commitment to write every day. Here's to another year of daily slicing!
Yesterday, I presented questioning strategies to a group of elementary teachers at a social studies conference. Throughout the hour long session, I had teachers do the work that I would normally have students do. When I taught them about the Question Formulation Technique, I had them do the work. I even gave them the link to my presentation and made a new slide where they could type in their questions, having the questions show up on the screen in front of everyone. When I taught them about "Ask five questions, then ask five more" I had them try it out, and when I shared a read aloud, I divided the teachers into question-asking groups the way I would for students. What I did do differently was to hit pause and ask them to take a reading on how they were feeling as learners. What was their engagement level? What was difficult? How were they feeling as learners?
Three of my colleagues were in the session, and when we were having lunch one of them shared that those pauses had been really powerful for her. It turned into a great conversation about why it's so important for teachers to do the work we ask our students to do, really thinking about the metacognition required of the task. None of need a presenter to try out the work we ask of our students; we just need the time and the self-awareness--maybe it's self-discipline, maybe it's self-reminders, maybe I need a better word :)-- to pause and think about the metacognitive processes. The most effective teachers I work with are the ones who not only understand the task, but also have experienced and reflected on the brainwork involved with it.
As always--happy Slicing,
So true! We have to experience this...great advice!
ReplyDeleteReally wise Melanie. This has me thinking about these lines in particular: "The most effective teachers I work with are the ones who not only understand the task, but also have experienced and reflected on the brainwork involved with it."
ReplyDeleteSo true ... even for our students I think we need to make more time to explore and reflect on our metacognitive processes. These processes remained consistent across all domains and each year. The way we think and engage remains the same. Knowing ourselves as learners is critical - I love when teachers have time to experience this for themselves. Thanks
ReplyDeleteClare
What a great idea to have teacher reflect on their process, especially since they're doing the work of the children. It makes me wonder if it would be worthwhile to take a simple poll with children? I love attending workshops that get me thinking about the meta-cognitive process. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great idea to have teacher reflect on their process, especially since they're doing the work of the children. It makes me wonder if it would be worthwhile to take a simple poll with children? I love attending workshops that get me thinking about the meta-cognitive process. Good for you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great PD session that must have been. You modeled something that should be done formally of our lessons.
ReplyDeleteReflection is such an important part of teaching, but often the most difficult to do. We have to keep moving forward, so we don't take the time. Blogging helps me do that work. Think about the word Trust for DigiLit Sunday tomorrow.
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