Week 3

Well it was a finally ALMOST a full week.  Wednesday was a snow day.

So how did it go?  Monday went as planned, for once.  I had students complete their final lab and then work as a group to complete the lab packet..  This went pretty well, as was pleasantly surprised by how well they worked together on the packet and that by choosing partners outside their lab group they were not just copying.  I really liked the idea of having them work in one group to collect the do the experiments and collect their data.  Then switch to different partners from other groups to work through the calculations.  This way the students were forced to actually do the calculations.  Once the students were finished with the packets I collected them and proceeded to do a review.  I formatted the review around the questions the students asked on their ticket in/out.  I made sure to tell them this and I was really happy to see how surprised they were that I was answering their questions.

Tuesday we were back into the computer and I started working them through formulating rations.  This is definitely where I realized that things were not going to go as planned.  The students were very slow to pick up on the things I was showing them.  Thus, I realized I was going to have to stretch the lesson out to another day.  Well, then came Wednesdays snow day...  When school resumed on Thursday the students did not retain Tuesdays class.  Thus, it was back to the drawing board and we slowly worked our way back into the material and got over some new material.  The class was still not complete with the assignment they were given thus another extension into today was required.

However, on Thursday I had 3 students ask to come down to receive additional help on the material.  They were interested and wanted to get a better understanding.  I was happy to help them and they really seemed to enjoy it.  Although, the real reward didn't come until today.  Once I had class underway and assigned the students to complete the assignment I asked the girls to help their classmates since they finished.  They were happy to help and the other students really liked it too.

What went well?  The students were engaged and interested in the material.  Additionally I am building respect and relationships with my students.  I am starting to remember names.

What would I change?  I really need to have a better idea of where students are at prior to starting a lesson.  The students are not meeting my expectations and I am worried that I am not bringing it down to their level.  I do not want to talk over or under students rather challenge them, but make it achievable.  Finally, I need to find a way to get students to think harder and work independently.  I am finding that students hate having to think and that they just want spoon fed.

Another week in the books!