To start a new blog, I have a quick story that relates to one size doesn't fit all. When I was working at the Courtenay Recreation Center in the Comox Valley, I volunteered for the day camps. I was in grade 11 and I was assigned to a 11 year old blind girl. We did a variety of activities one being hiking through caves. I thought to myself, 'how am I going to make this work?' This relates to teaching because I thought I was going to help/guide kids through other activities, except I had to guide a blind girl through dark claustrophobic caves. I had to change my 'teaching' attempt to which would be clearer for this girl. Also, I teach swimming lessons to children of all ages, and of course there are many kids there who have been forced by their parents to be in the class. I have to create a lesson plan to try and get the children enjoying the class and eventually want to keep swimming in the future. It is challenging but that makes you become a better teacher.
Has anyone had experiences similar to this? I have realized that one size doesn't fit all and I will have to alter my teaching styles in order to incorporate students of all backgrounds.
-kim
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I am starting to understand just how important it is to be responsive to the needs of the people that you are teaching. It sounds so simple but is a very complex skill. Sometimes we get so focussed on our personal learning objectives for a subject that we forget to consider how different each student's learning objectives, goals and skills are.
ReplyDeleteYour story reminds me of the wise advice I had from Tania Muir, the head of the education programs at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. Nearing the first day of my studio manga class, I was getting really nervous. As I was consulting with Tania about the course content, skill progressions, and pouring over the binder full of lesson plans I had created, she calmly looked at me and said, "Why don't you wait until you meet the students in your class before you decide?"
ReplyDeleteAs you said Bonnie - so simple - yet so complex. It was fundamental to the success of the class. In fact - when I taught the class the second time - it was a completely different experience.
Your story about coaching swimming lessons hit a familiar cord with me personally, for I was that kid many, many years ago, but on the rink instead of in the pool. I remember around age 9 my mother forcing me to take skating lessons every week- I hated skating and every minute I was out on the ice. As I struggled through each class I remember a specific instructor who focused in on my strengths and built his lessons around that. By creating classes that didn't make me feel left out because of my skill level, going to skating became less horrible each time. I think that it is important to make every student feel equal and included regardless of their abilities. And by making each child have a role in the class regardless of its size, they will begin to love learning.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alisha - Refreshing and re-assuring
ReplyDeleteDefinitely being able to adapt your teaching styles is super important. I have been coaching softball for a little over 4 years now and for 2 of those years i got a new set of girls and once you get used to the first set of girls they leave. So now we have re-learn and adapt to the new set of girls. And then WE have to become aware of their skills and weakness in order to be able to teach them in the proper way they need to be taught.
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