C4Ta #2 Post

Is This Right?

Mr. Hadley Ferguson, the author of "Middle School Matrix," decided to break away from the monotony of how he typically ran his classroom. He reworked his plans of giving the students a vocabulary list and having them read the textbook to research other significant information. His newly modified plan allowed the entire class period to split into small groups and use whatever source they like to research the list. He still asked them to find additional information terms that correlated with their given topic.

He discussed his results once the students began to work on his new assignment. The states how the students were only interested in researching only the given terms and did not add any additional terms to his list. His first reaction was anger because they simply were not interested or put any effort in doing their part of the assignment. He then realized that their learning and engagement in the activity was his responsibility.

Mr. Ferguson altered the lesson again by creating an environment by showing images that corresponded with the assignment to help give them inspiration. He tested his new plan with a second class and was successful! This is a great example for me to remember when I began teaching. I will keep in mind how important it is to adapt and have an open mind when it comes to changing my plans in order to help students learn and grow.

Almost Boring!

In Almost Boring, Mr. Ferguson discusses how he works diligently through the school year, starting in September, to prepare his students to become independent learners. He states that by the end of the school year he assigned his students a project to tell about the Black Death, a plague that took place in Europe. In his blog he tells how he may only get a few questions regarding proofreading and making sure they are on the right track. He allows them to disperse any where in the room or hallway as long as they work on their project. Mr. Ferguson tells how they work quietly and he is able to sit in his desk and relax. He has taught them everything they need to know when it comes to researching so they are well equipped. He talks about how he gets to take a more passive role than when he is directly teaching a lesson, and that it feels great knowing the time was about them.