April 5, 2007
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From Strategies for Teaching First-Year Composition: “And teachers can change the way they think only by changing what they believe about what they know and how they know it” (35). I have to remind myself that while I do love writing, students usually do not. And that what worked for me (as far as learning to write), may not work for them.
As I begin to revise my syllabi and plans for next year, and finish up this semester well,
I know I need to include these items more in every class period:
- WRITING: some either by hand or on computer to be handed in or used later
- INSTRUCTION: Some mini-lecture (by me or students can team-teach)
- A VISUAL AID: Handout(s) for items they will need to refer back to (lessens the “me repeating a lot” factor); put them online too?
- REITERATION: Time for questions & use little anonymous feedback forms for quieter classes
- CONNECTION: Discussion either in small groups or as a whole class or an activity of some sort
Comments (1)
Good ideas. I will be taking next year off (as it stands now) for so “me” time plus a little reflection on what I’ve done right – and wrong – over the past 18 years.