Well the time of student teaching is going very quickly for me. We only have 4 weeks of it left at Baldwin. My Physical Science class is still reading Rocket Boys (October Sky) and we have discussions in the class about that book. We took the AP Biology class to the library last week to have them chose a book from the AP Bio list. I had read some of the books and I was able to help the students pick some out.
I did one literary engagement using visuals before the reading. I showed students deforestation taking place in S. America. I had each student right down their immediate feelings about the picture, what facts they saw in the picture, and what question they wanted to ask about it. I did this for 5 pictures and then gave them an article to read about deforestation. The pictures really intrigued the students and I didn't have any trouble getting them to read the article. We then discussed what they saw in the pictures and if the text helped them.
I haven't gotten much accomplished as far as the inquiry project goes, but I'm hoping to get more it done come my TWS. I'm trying to keep up with readicide and I've started asking students, in an informal way, how they feel about reading and especially reading in science. The most common response is they don't have enough time to read for pleasure.
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I like the literacy engagement you did; sort of a word association activity. I'm just curious as to what the students wrote, and how many students actually had strong opinions on deforestation.
ReplyDeleteI have had a similar response about reading for pleasure. The students I have talked to said they have so many things required for school they just don't have time to read.
That was a great idea to give students give students the opportunity to give their initial reactions about the reading. Also, it is a great idea to give student visuals to associate what they read to what it actually looks like.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering, why are the students reading Rocket Boys. I am trying to figure out how this relates to Physical Science. If it is something that students really like then I might be interested in doing something like that in the future,
I just really wonder about the "I don't have time" excuse. Don't we make time for things we like - or for those things that are important to us? It brings to mind an article that I read that surveyed students. True, they were not reading for pleasure in novels or books, BUT they were on the internet, reading emails - now more facebook and social networking sites. Do you find your students are more engaged in this nature of media literacy?
ReplyDeleteI understand about trying to fit everything in, it's hard is hard for me to make assignments that fit GSTEP, TWS and literacy engagements, and the inquiry project, but at the same time, when the assignments do work they always seem to be really simple but at the same time really work for the kids in getting my ideas across. Good luck!
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