Reflection 8

It's been interesting watching each other teach. I'm starting to realize what Geoff said about having a personality to teach. Mannerisms, confidence, knowledge can all be worked on, but there is something about passion and a desire. There must be!
Anyway, I've been very impressed with all the teachers so far. It's interesting that almost every one of our lessons have included some kind of group work (in larger groups, probably trying to tackle one area of intelligence). I did that too, but I was thinking this morning how realistic it will be to have a group setting every day. I think it's worked well for this group of teachers in this setting so far, but does that really happen? I know the classes I took in high school that constantly had group work were my least favorite classes. Work was not split up evenly and I often thought I could get things done faster on my own. I know that's just my personality and I've really enjoyed or group work so far in these lessons. I just wonder how likely that is to happen every day in my class.

We've also been reading the book "Classroom Instruction that Works". Interesting that the first principle in that book is having the students "Identify similarities and differences". I think it's interesting only because I don't remember in my educational years specifically working on that area. I don't remember that strategy in my own learning. When I thought about it though, I realized that probably those principles I understand most are because I understand its contrast or a similarity in something else.
First, I thought of those things spiritually. I have a testimony of the love of our Savior Jesus Christ because I have seen the imperfect love of man and its at times unreal and short-lasting love compared to the genuine, enduring, unfailing love of Christ. I can identify similarities in people who love the Lord and share that divine love with each other rather than a more temporal love. Seeing and understanding those similarities and differences helps me to learn the concept of the love of Christ so much more.
Then, I tried to apply it to a classroom setting. I really think I understand word problems. Part of that is because I am able to see the similarities in each word problem, but also notice what's different in order to solve the problem. Identifying those two things helps to make that procedure so much clearer.
Maybe in life, I haven't exactly specified that identifying similarities and differences has been a technique to bring me understanding, but I recognize now it is an important skill to learn.