Data Analysis Revisited: The importance of reflection

Picture it, I am sitting the the front of the class, the kids are answering my questions about data, everybody is on page with me. I am feeling like the most incredible student teacher that has ever existed! Life is good.

later that night.......

I am marking the worksheet I gave the kids on data analysis at dinner time, I almost choke on my tortilla soup, barely any one got the questions right! Perhaps I am not the most incredible student teacher, in fact I am feeling very deflated. What Happened? How could an entire class do so well in discussion but be unable to  answer the same questions on a piece of paper?

I think back to something the FA said to me this summer. "If a group of students fail to make understanding and connect with what you are talking about. You have only your self to look at."  I suppose it is time for serious reflection. I look back into my lesson plans and try to see if I have missed out on a key piece of information somewhere. What have I left out? I see nothing that is missing, all the concepts are there. My students should have all the tools they need to do the task. In an e-mail, my very knowledgeable SA points out what I have completely lost sight of, the students themselves. I truly forgot to look at the students and see them for who they are. A large proportion of the kids are ESL. I suddenly realized the language I am using in my lessons is not reaching the group. They are only beginning to understand the math concepts because  they are only just beginning to make meaning of the language I am using. This week I have re-planned my lessons in order to focus on making meaningful connections between the language and the math. Realizing the needs,wants, and abilities of those I teach is helping me to direct my focus in order to direct their learning

The most important lesson I have taken from this episode, is the importance of reflection in one's teaching practice, especially for new teachers like myself who are still new to the process. It's important to look at our failures without self-judgement and think about where we can make change to create success. At the same time it is important to reflect on our successes as well. Looking at a successful lesson can help you to recreate that success across your teaching practice. Honesty is important, give yourself credit when things go well, accept it when you make terrible mistakes and oversights you can only learn from them.

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Calaveras for Day of the Dead

I have been trying to get a lesson done in each of the subject areas during this practicum. Halloween provided a great opportunity to teach an art class. Instead of your basic construction paper pumpkin, vampire, or q-tip skeleton I decided to branch out and do some Day of the Dead art with the kids.

Day of the Dead is celebrated in many places in Latin and South America. It is particularly celebrated in Mexico where it is a national holiday. Day of the Dead  is a remembrance of those loved ones who have passed on. Unlike Halloween, Day of the Dead is a happy joyous celebration. People flock to cemetaries with picnics and construct altars for their loved ones. The altars hold  favorite foods, and beverages for the departed.

Skull portrait from creativeartlessons.com

Calaveras (skulls) are a significant symbol of the Day of the Dead. They are often depicted in every day life situations and are sometimes funny and satirical. Sugar skulls are a traditional treat offered to children on this holiday.

I found a great idea at http://www.creativeartlessons.com/2010/11/skull-portraits-el-dia-de-los-muertos.html. I loved this idea for it's beautiful lines and shapes. A great way to teach the elements of drawing. I taught the activity as a directed drawing lesson. Then took it a step further and had the kids decorate their portraits as mexican sugar skulls. I think they turned out really beautiful.



Calaveras portraits done by students.